Itasca State Park Naturalist Programs
Date and Time
Thursday Sep 1, 2016
Location
Itasca State Park
Description
Itasca State Park Naturalist Programs for August 24-September 4, 2016
AUGUST 2016
Wednesday, August 24
Itasca?s Mysteries in History: The Lind Saddle Trail Marker Mystery
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
From 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Meet outside Douglas Lodge
In the late 1890?s Governor Lind ?loved the shaded hills and deep ravines about Itasca Lake? so much that he spent his own money to develop a horse trail. This route, cut from the wagon road at Mary Creek to the Source of the Mississippi River, made a circuit to the south end of the park. Join the naturalist as we hike along the original saddle trail to one of the mystery markers scattered throughout the park. Notes: The hike to the marker is approximately 3 miles round trip. Bring insect repellant, sunscreen, water and a hat.
This program is part of the 125th anniversary celebration of Itasca State Park and Minnesota State Parks and Trails.
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Bobcats
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the porch of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Noises of the Night, Campfire
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 7:30-8 p.m.
Meet in Bear Paw Campground (the grassy area near the tiny log pump house and campsite #70 near the bike trail; if rain-- inside the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center)
Squeaks, grunts, growls and croaks. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and gather around the fire as you discover who makes the strange noises in the night. Remember to bring s?more fixings for after the campfire talk!
Thursday, August 25
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Bird Beaks
Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 10 a.m.-Noon
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the porch of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Junior Park Naturalist: Water Birds?Beaks and Feet
Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 2-2:45 p.m.
Meet near the swim beach playground area
Kids, discover how the funny shaped feet and different shaped bills help birds live around the water.
Friday, August 26
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Loons
Friday, August 26, 2016 from 10 a.m.-Noon
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the porch of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Historic CCC Buildings Walk
Friday, August 26, 2016 from 1:30-2 p.m.
Meet outside Forest Inn (across from Douglas Lodge)
Learn about the ?boys? that built Forest Inn, Old Timer?s Cabin and more. Come for the walk as we talk about the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on this walking tour of buildings around the Douglas Lodge area, ending at the CCC Old Timer?s Cabin.
Old Timer?s Cabin, Open Tour
Friday, August 26, 2016 Cabin open from 2-3:30 p.m.
Held at the Old Timer?s Cabin, located along the boardwalk below Douglas Lodge
Only 4 (massive) logs tall, learn more about this Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed building. The Naturalist staff will have the cabin open for you to tour at your leisure.
Junior Park Naturalist: Stripes, Quills, and Smells Hike
Friday, August 26, 2016 from 2-2:45 p.m.
Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Smells, quills, colors and more! Go on a short hike and find out how different animals defend themselves. Then, create a critter of your own to take home!
Saturday, August 27
Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Tour
Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10 a.m.?Noon
Tour begins at the Levorsen Building located on the Pioneer Farmer showgrounds.* The showground is located on the north side of Itasca State Park. Go out the North Entrance to Itasca State Park, entrance is on the east side of the North Entrance Road (across from the church and gas station).*Tour begins promptly at 10 a.m.
Get a feel for the early 1900s community of Lake Itasca at the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Showgrounds (LIRPF). See the Itasca Historic Sawmill. Explore various buildings from a country school, dove-tail one-room log house and a logging museum.
10th Annual North Country Hiking Fest: Take on the Challenge!
Saturday, August 27, 2016
From: events throughout the day from 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. For hike starting location and time see below.
Join us at Itasca State Park for a day packed full of family friendly and healthy activities focusing on the National North Country Trail. This is a perfect day to take a hike! Are you brave enough to take on the challenge? This year we celebrate 10 years by hiking the entire length of the North Country Trail in Itasca State Park. Our 10.6 mile hiking challenge will begin at the western access point on the Anchor Matson Road and hike across the entire width of the park, where we will conclude near Highway 71. (refer to Maps 12 thru 14, pages 104- 116 of the ?Guide to the North Country National Scenic Trail in Minnesota?).
For those short on time or not wanting to hike the challenge, join us in the afternoon for hiking tips and a chance to make your own hiking stick during our Hiking 101 program. Learn tips about hiking while you design your own hiking staff. We will then try them out on the trail as we hike a 2 mile loop along the bike trail to Preacher?s Grove and along Brower Trail.
Gather together for a picnic meal (fee) followed by an evening special presentation.
9:00am ? 7:00pm North Country Trail and local hiking information will be available in the Brower Visitors Center
9:30 ? 10am Meet and greet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor?s Center classroom with Erika Rivers, Director - Minnesota DNR Division of Parks & Trails; Mark Weaver, Superintendent of the North Country National Scenic Trail for the National Park Service; and Bruce Matthews, Executive Director of the North Country Trail Association
10:00am Welcome and opening remarks by Erika Rivers on the 125th Anniversary of Itasca State Park and the Division?s 125 Miles by Bike, Boot or Boat Challenge and Bruce Matthews on the NCTA?s Hike 100 Challenge.
10:30 ? 11am Gather to carpool from the Jacob V. Brower Visitor?s Center to the South Entrance trailhead and then onto the Anchor Matson Trailhead for the North Country Challenge Hike
11am ? 5pm Guided North Country Challenge Hike
Hike with the local NCTA volunteers on one of two hikes:
a) Hike 10.6 miles from the Anchor Matson Trailhead across Itasca State Park to the South Entrance trailhead on the NCT
b) Hike 4.4 miles from the Anchor Matson Trailhead across the southwest corner of Itasca State Park to the Gartner Farm Trailhead
2:00 ? 3:15pm Hiking 101: Tips, tricks, and make your own hiking stick program (meet inside the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center classroom)
3:15 ? 4:45pm Guided family-friendly hike from the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center to Preacher?s Grove on the Brower Trail (1.6 miles round trip)
4:30 ? 6:15pm Ice Cream Social outside the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center hosted by the Friends of Itasca State Park
5:00 ? 6:30pm Catered cookout picnic (various food options for purchase, bring a blanket or chair to sit on outside or eat inside if the weather is bad)
6:30 ? 7:30pm Evening program inside the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center classroom
· Connie Cox, Park Naturalist on the Gems of Itasca State Park
· Nicole Vik of the Park Rapids Enterprise will talk about her experiences on the North Country Trail in the Park Rapids area.
· U.S. Representative Rick Nolan will talk about the importance of Parks/public lands like Itasca and Trails like the North Country to the economy and quality of life of northern Minnesota.
· Cam Sholly, National Park Service?s Midwest Regional Director will talk about the National Park Service Centennial, National Parks in the Midwest, and your role in shaping the next 100 years.
Notes: Dress for being outdoors, including sturdy boots that can get wet/muddy, water, energy snack, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, insect repellent- including tick gaiters and hiking/trekking poles.
This is the eighth of 12 hikes to be held as we celebrate 125 years of Minnesota State Parks and Trails and 100 years of the National Park Service. This event is sponsored by both Itasca State Park and the Itasca Moraine and Laurentian Lakes Chapters of the National North Country Trail.
Learn more about the North Country Trail in Itasca State Park and east, at the Itasca Moraine Chapter site: http://northcountrytrail.org/i
Learn more about the North Country Trail in Itasca State Park and west, at the Laurentian Lakes Chapter site: http://northcountrytrail.org/l
Tuesday, August 30
Itasca?s Mysteries in History: The Itasca Biological Station.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016From 10-11 a.m.
Meet at the new Itasca Campus Center located on the Itasca Biological Station campus (along Main Park Drive, watch for signs).
In 1907 the University of Minnesota (U of M) held its first field classes in Itasca State Park. Join us at the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories for a tour of this historic location. Discover the old and the new! Tour the new Itasca Campus Center before we head out to locate the site of the State Park House, where Mary Gibbs lived in 1903. See one of the few 1930s National Youth Administration or NYA constructed buildings in the state as we follow the route of the 1920s era Jefferson Highway as it passed through the field station.
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Hummingbirds
Tuesday, August 30, 2016 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the porch of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Wednesday, August 31
Itasca?s Mysteries in History: Life of a Wilderness Forest Ranger at Nicollet Cabin
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
From 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Meet at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center parking lot (see notes section below)
Constructed as a patrol cabin in the early 1900?s, Nicollet Cabin served as a ranger outpost during the early logging days. Later, used for fire detail in the 1930?s, this cabin has been restored to its original charm in the 1990s. Join the naturalist on this combination car/hiking tour as we learn about the men who used this historic cabin tucked deep in the woods under towering pine.
Notes: Bring your car as we meet in the parking lot of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. Nicollet Cabin is located off of Wilderness Drive. The hike to the cabin is approximately 3 miles round trip. Bring insect repellant, sunscreen, water and a hat.
This program is part of the 125th anniversary celebration of Itasca State Park and Minnesota State Parks and Trails.
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Bobcats
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the porch of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Junior Naturalist: Leaf Art
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 2-2:45 p.m.
2-2:45 p.m.
Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Explore the many different shapes and sizes of leaves and then make your own leaf art using hammers, paint, crayons and more!
Owls, Campfire
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 7:30-8:15 p.m.
Whinnies, hoots, and shrieks?who is calling from the trees? Gather around the campfire as we learn about Itasca?s owls and how they are adapted for life at night. Remember to bring s?more fixings for after the campfire talk!
Meet at Meet in Bear Paw Campground (the grassy area near the tiny log pump house and campsite #70 near the bike trail; if rain ? inside the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center.)
SEPTEMBER 2016
Thursday, September 1
Circle Time Under the Pines: T is for Trees
Thursday, September 1, 2016 from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Meet by the Museum Amphitheater (Look for a large blanket underneath a big pine tree), below Wegmann?s Store, (If raining, meet inside Lakeside Museum).
Children 2-5 years old, come explore and have fun at Itasca as we learn about trees through stories, songs, crafts, and outdoor discovery. NOTES: Adults must accompany children. Consider bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying your noon meal at the park after the program.
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Loons
Thursday, September 1, 2016 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the porch of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Friday, September 2
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Great Blue Herons
Friday, September 2, 2016 from 10 a.m.-Noon
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the porch of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Historic CCC Buildings Walk
Friday, September 2, 2016 from 1:30-2 p.m.
Meet outside Forest Inn (across from Douglas Lodge)
Learn about the ?boys? that built Forest Inn, Old Timer?s Cabin and more. Come for the walk as we talk about the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on this walking tour of buildings around the Douglas Lodge area, ending at the CCC Old Timer?s Cabin.
Old Timer?s Cabin, Open Tour
Friday, September 2, 2016 Cabin open from 2-3:30 p.m.
Held at the Old Timer?s Cabin, located along the boardwalk below Douglas Lodge
Only 4 (massive) logs tall, learn more about this Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed building. The Naturalist staff will have the cabin open for you to tour at your leisure.
Jr. Naturalist: Animals of the Forest Walk
Friday, September 2, 2016, from 2-2:30
Meet outside the front doors of the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Join the naturalist on a fun-filled walk and learn all about different animals that live in the forest. Notes: bring along bug spray. Adults must accompany children.
Saturday, September 3
Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Tour
Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 10 a.m.?Noon
Tour begins at the Levorsen Building located on the Pioneer Farmer showgrounds.* The showground is located on the north side of Itasca State Park. Go out the North Entrance to Itasca State Park, entrance is on the east side of the North Entrance Road (across from the church and gas station).*Tour begins promptly at 10 a.m.
Get a feel for the early 1900s community of Lake Itasca at the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Showgrounds (LIRPF). See the Itasca Historic Sawmill. Explore various buildings from a country school, dove-tail one-room log house and a logging museum.
Geocaching 101
Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 2-3:30 p.m.
Meet outside Forest Inn
Join in our GPS sticker challenge and learn how to use a GPS device to go geocaching! You will learn how to use a GPS unit and then head out in the park to find some specially placed caches. A limited number of GPS units will be available for use. Come and go at your leisure.
Animal Senses, Campfire
Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 7:30-8 p.m.
Meet at the Amphitheater in the picnic grounds by the Lakeside Museum, watch for signs. (lakeside from Wegmann?s Store/cabin) if rain ? inside the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center.)
How many things can you identify by smell? How good is your hearing compared to a bats? Enjoy a warm fire as you sit back and learn about animal senses. Remember the bring s?more fixings for after the campfire talk!
Sunday, September 4
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Black Bear
Sunday, September 4, 2016 from 2-4 p.m.
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the porch of the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Itasca?s Music Under the Pines: Jim and Molly Bauer
Sunday, September 4, 2016 from 7-9 p.m.
Meet at Forest Inn (across from Douglas Lodge)
Join Jim and Molly at historic Forest Inn as they perform familiar folk and folk rock songs. This Minnesota-based duo, with Jim playing acoustic guitar will share stories and songs and of course you can?t miss the ?Jim and Molly Bauer concert? collector T-shirts!