Itasca State Park Naturalist Programs

Description

Enjoy a music concert by the Park Rapids Community Band, Sunday, June 24—
Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Park Rapids Community Band Concert
from 7-8 p.m. Meet outside Douglas Lodge. Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and sit outside historic Douglas Lodge as the 50 member Park Rapids Community Band returns for another wonderful concert. These talented musicians will play music full of patriotic, popular, and classic songs.
 
“I Scream, you scream we all scream for ice cream!”
Sunday Sundae! Ice Cream Social.  Sunday, June 24, from 7-8 PM (or while supplies last)

Held outside Douglas Lodge
Hungry for some ice cream? Enjoy a sweet treat when you join us for a music concert ice cream social. Itasca volunteers from the Friends of Itasca will be making chocolate or strawberry sundaes with proceeds going towards projects in Itasca State Park. There is a $2 fee per sundae.                       
 
Headwaters in Summer—Watch the Webcam!

Summer is here and the wild rice is floating on the surface of Lake Itasca.  Keep an eye out for the adult loons, they might be carrying a little fluffy black chick on their backs. Check out the webcam. Is your family going to the park but you can’t join them? Have them text you when they are at the headwaters and watch them from home! Watch the webcam and see if you can spot any beavers making their way towards the headwaters in evening.

Go to:  Mississippi Headwaters Webcam  Side note: some users with Android systems might have problems viewing the webcam.
 
Featured nature sighting report for the dates of June 14-19:  

• Evidence of raccoons are seen at turtle nests, the empty shells scattered around the excavated nests.

• Showy Lady-slippers began blooming in full force on Saturday, June 16, just in time to celebrate Father’s Day.

• New batches of dragonflies are emerging each day.

• Tiny, newly emerged Monarch butterfly caterpillars are seen feeding on milkweed leaves.

• Summer flowers are coming out in full force including Blue-flag iris, sweet bedstraw, ox-eye daisy, Canada anemone, Indian paintbrush, purple avens, wild calla, yellow bullhead water lilies, vetch and more!