Winter Camouflage and Coloration in Iowa's Wildlife

For many Iowa animals, the stark landscape – bare trees and a bright white groundcover – makes them stand out more in the winter, which is good news for those who enjoy watching wildlife. But for a few Iowa critters, winter is a time for them to blend in with the scenery.

Jackrabbits
They may have “rabbit” in their name, but Iowa’s jackrabbits are actually hares, related more to the snowshoe hare than the cottontail rabbit. Come winter, jackrabbits shed their summer fur – brownish-gray speckled with brownish black and a white tail – to make way for their white winter coat. The only coloring left is black on the tips of the jackrabbit’s ears and a light gray tinge to the ears and back. The changing coat allows the jackrabbit to hide better in the conditions that different seasons bring.

What it can’t hide from, however, is habitat loss and wet weather during nesting seasons. Once widely found in grasslands in northwestern Iowa and once a common game species, their numbers have declined in recent years.

Snowy owls
The snowy owl is Iowa’s most common winter owl visitor, flying in from the tundra when they can’t find enough food. We only see snowy owls in Iowa when lemming populations – the snowy owl’s favorite dinner item – crash on the tundra. That sends the snowy owls south in search of food, like mice and other small mammals. So if you spot one, it’s a rare sight indeed. This year, the Iowa Ornithologists Union has reported a pair of snowy owls in the Lime Springs area.


Least weasels
The smallest weasel in Iowa and the smallest carnivore in the world, the least weasel also has two color phases. It loses its reddish-brown coloring on its back, sides, tail and top of its head to get ready for winter, when it may become all white. Spring and fall coloring are often a mix as the color transition takes place. It’s not likely you’ll see a least weasel, as they primarily hunt at night and below the snow, but you’ll occasionally find them caught above a hard-crusted snow. Least weasels are small guys, rarely growing longer than 10 inches long.

American goldfinch
Iowa’s state bird doesn’t lose all of its coloring in winter, but if you see one in winter, you’ll notice its hue is more muted than its usual bright yellow. Most birds sport vibrant colors in the spring to attract a mate during breeding season. They then molt their feathers to bring in a more drab coloration for the winter, as their normal bright coloration would make them more visible to predators.

Trumpeter swans
Trumpeters’ year-round white coloring does allow them to blend in with the snow – mostly. Their large black bills and black legs provide enough contrast against the white snow to allow you to spot them pretty easily.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

Learn more about Iowa invasive species as we celebrate National Invasive Species Awareness Week (February 22-28).

Iowa DNR Aquatic Invasive Plants fact sheets

Iowa DNR Aquatic Invasive Invertebrates fact sheets

Invasive Species Conservation Class Outline (9-12 Agriculature & Science classes)

Invasive Species in Iowa lesson plan (High School)

 

What are invasive species?
Invasive species are species of organism that are not native to an ecosystem and which cause harm. Invasive species generally grow and reproduce quickly, and spread aggressively with the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, and even human health.

How do they spread?
Invasive species are spread intentionally and unintentionally through human activity. Throughout history people have introduced foreign species to new environments for aesthetic and economic reasons. Species are also introduced inadvertently on ships, in wood products, through ornamental plants, pet trade, and other means of transportation.

Why are they bad?

Invasive species can cause harm various ways. They pose a threat to native animal species by outcompeting native species for resources, preying on native species, and carrying diseases that harm them. Invasive plant species displace native plant species. They can quickly take over an area causing clogged waterways, and improper growth and germination of native plants species. Many invasive plant species provide no food value to native animal species. All invasive species also threaten the delicate balance of entire ecosystems by disrupting the natural food web, decreasing biodiversity, and altering ecosystem conditions.

What can you do?

• Plant natives in your yard and remove any invasive.
• Learn to identify invasive species in your area.
• Report invasive plant and animal sightings to your local county extension office.
• If you are traveling to another country or region, check your baggage and vehicle for “hitchhikers”.
• When boating always clean your boat and check it for aquatic invasive species before putting it into another body of water.
• When camping do not bring your own firewood, instead buy locally grown firewood.

Ideas for invasive species class, family, or community projects

• Plant native grasses, flowers, and trees in your yard or schoolyard.
• Design and implement a local invasive species study.
• Raise awareness of invasive species. Put together an awareness poster or campaign and help spread the word.

 

 

 

Young Reporters for the Environment Competition

Students ages 13- 21 are invited to participate in the national Young Reporters for the Environment competition. They may enter as individuals or part of a class or group.

Participants investigate an environmental issue and report on it in writing, photography, or video. Entries must be relevant to participants’ local community, connect to a global perspective, include possible solutions, and be disseminated to an appropriate target audience.

Participants enter in one of three age categories: 13-15, 16-18, or 19-21. They may choose between three different media types:

Writing (article of up to 1000 words)
Photography (a single photo or photo essay of up to 12 photos)
Video (up to 3 minutes in length, in documentary or reporter/interview style)

Submissions are due to the U.S. national competition by Friday, March 13, 2015, 12 P.M. EST.

The national jury will select winners in each age bracket for each media type. Honors may be given for first, second, and third prize in each category. The jury has the option not to give an award if no submission is found to be deserving, and to give more than one award in the case of multiple exceptional entries.

First place winners in each category will continue to the international competition.

Complete submission requirements
Tips for choosing a topic to investigate


 

Next Generation Science Standards Public Forums

The Iowa Department of Education is hosting a series of public forums and a statewide survey  (open throught February 27) following a state panel’s recommendation to get public feedback on the Next Generation Science Standards. These are a set of learning expectations in science for students in kindergarten through high school, developed by 26 states, including Iowa. All states can consider adopting and adapting them to meet their needs.

Public feedback will be used to provide guidance to the Science Standards Review Team, which is expected to submit a final recommendation regarding science standards to the State Board of Education later this year.

The public forums are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, Feb. 24, Ottumwa
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Great Prairie Area Education Agency, Ottumwa Office – Auditorium
2814 North Court Street
Ottumwa, IA

Wednesday, Feb. 25, Dubuque
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Keystone Area Education Agency, Dubuque Office – Room 1 ABC
2310 Chaney Road
Dubuque, IA

Thursday, Feb. 26, Sioux City
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Northwest Area Education Agency, Administrative Office – Room A/Auditorium
1520 Morningside Ave.
Sioux City, IA

For more information, please visit the Iowa Department of Education’s website.
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Iowa High School Students Invited to Attend Iowa Youth Institute

The World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute invites students from every high school in Iowa to participate in its day-long program at Iowa State University on April 27. This unique experience aims to inspire the next generation of leaders and offers students an unparalleled opportunity to explore academic and career paths in fields related to STEM, food, agriculture and global development. To participate, students select a challenge facing a particular country, and write a three- to five-page paper explaining the issue and outlining potential solutions. At the event, they present their ideas in small groups with peers; participate in interactive activities in labs and classrooms on campus; interact with innovative professors and business leaders from across the state; and hear from high-level experts. All participants earn a $500 scholarship to Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The top students will also be selected to attend the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute, a three-day event held each October during the Borlaug International Symposium, and will be eligible to apply for international internships. The Iowa Youth Institute currently has participation from half of the high schools in the state and aims to reach every school in Iowa. It is offered at no cost to teachers or students. More details, instructions, and testimonials from past participants are available at www.worldfoodprize.org/iowayouth. For more information, contact Jacob Hunter, Director of the Iowa Youth Institute, at jhunter@worldfoodprize.org or 515-245-3727.

Spring Trees For Kids Grant Applications

Trees For Kids applications are available online for schools and communities to involve youth in planting trees on school grounds and other public property.  

In 2014, Trees For Kids Grants were awarded to 40 schools and communities which planted more than 1,600 landscape trees, and involved over 5,200 youth. 

Trees For Kids grants pay up to $5,000 for landscape trees and mulch for schools and other public areas.  Trees may be planted in either spring or fall.  The deadline for submitting a spring application is March 2, 2015.

Each planting project is required to have an educational component with the youth, and Project Learning Tree training is also provided to educators to create lesson plans and utilize curriculum with the planted trees.

Trees planted around schools and in neighborhoods have been shown to give youth increased levels of concentration, lower levels of aggression, lower levels of obesity, and fewer symptoms of ADHD. Communities are made more livable by having a healthy, diverse tree canopy. 

The Trees for Kids and Trees for Teens grant program is funded by Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Bureau, MidAmerican Energy, Black Hills Energy, Alliant Energy, Iowa Bankers Association, Trees Forever, Iowa Tree Farm Committee, and the Iowa Woodland Owners Association.

For information about how to apply for a spring Trees For Kids grant, contact the grant coordinator at laura.wagner@dnr.iowa.gov, 515/281-6749. 

STEM Connections to Real Community Environmental Solutions

ICEC Winter Workshop 2015

February 6-7, 2015

Springbrook Conservation Education Center (2473 160th Road Guthrie Center, IA 50115)

Registration - Register By 2/3/2015 (Late Fee will be applied after 1/30/2015)

Workshop Guide

Learn how you can involve your students in real world conservation projects in your community and engage your students in STEM opportunities. You will partner with science experts (county naturalists, AEA Science Consultants, Natural Resource Conservation Service-NRCS, Department of Natural Resources-DNR and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship-IDALS) working in your AEA to discuss potential new project based learning opportunities. We will clarify our mutual goals and identify resources that can be used to support these projects.

For teachers taking this for re-certification or graduate credit, *15 contact hours and pre-registration required at AEApd online. Heartland Activity #:DR395999991501. Contact Peggy Christensen at pchristensen@heartlandaea.org or (515)270-0405 for more information .

The REAP Conservation Education Program has provided funding to reduce the registration and meal costs ($135.00) for everyone attending to $60. Participants will be responsible for their own lodging (dorms $20.00 or nearby hotels) and transportation expenses.  There are a limited number of $100 scholarships per AEA to be used for substitute, mileage and registration costs.

For more information contact: IowaEE@outlook.com or go to www.IowaEE.org.

Winter Wildlife

Hibernation is one of many adaptations to the cold and decreased food supplies of Iowa winters. Most mammals, including people, tend to slow down a little during the winter. True hibernators actually curl into a tight ball and reduce to extremely low levels their heart and breathing rates, body temperature, and metabolism. They need less food to survive. Bats which eat insects have virtually nothing available to eat so they are forced to hibernate all winter. Other hibernators include woodchucks, ground squirrels, jumping mice, and a few other rodents. There are a number of mammals such as badgers, raccoons, chipmunks, and skunks which do not truly hibernate. They do, however, reduce their need for food by sleeping deeply for periods extending from a few days to two weeks.

As winter arrives in Iowa, many wild animals depart or hibernate. Birds which feed on non-dormant insects and worms or need open water migrate as the food disappears and the water freezes. But many birds, especially those that feed on seeds or dormant insects, remain in Iowa. Covered with great feathery insulation and equipped with a high metabolism that burns like a small furnace, these species are able to endure Iowa’s sometimes brutal winters. They exist wherever there is accessible food, adequate shelter, and a ready source of water. Where these requirements are met, birds are often the most visible and animated spectacles of winter.

Have students create a news cast in which they pretend to interview a just emerged hibernator. In a written script or in an audio recording, they can ask questions about the animals’ winter experiences and its plans for the coming warm weather.

Animal Antifreeze

Materials:1 film canister with a lid for each participant; thermos (1 quart) of liquid knox gelatin (will be enough for 20 participants); suitable habitat

1. Explain that a hibernating animal (chipmunk) or winter sleeper (bear) must select a sleeping spot that will provide protection from the winter cold. If the temperature of the sleeping spot falls too low, the sleeping animal may freeze to death.
2. Each participant is given an “animal”(a film canister), ask them to pop the head off (the lid) and fill the animal with “blood” (liquid knox gelatin from the thermos).
3. The participants job is to find a suitable shelter – sleeping spot that will protect them from freezing over the winter months. Explain that burrowing and building with nonliving materials is permitted. Define the boundaries before sending the group out. Give the participants five minutes to select sleeping spots for their animals.
4. The number one rule of this activity is not to lose their animal – they must remember where they put their animal.
5. After all “animals” have found their resting spot…lead the group on a winter hike.
6. Winter hike topics too include: good over wintering habitat for the animals; hibernation/migration; animal food (acorns, insects, plants/twigs); animal tracks in the snow
7. After a 40 to 45 minute hike return to the spot where the “animals” were hidden.
8. Send the participants out to retrieve their animals.
9. Have them “pop” the head (the lid) off of their animals and see whose animal survived and who froze (solid gelatin).
10. Have the survivors explain where and what they did to help keep their animals from freezing. Lead a group discussion on how more animals could have survived. Or other items that would have been helpful, i.e. an animal fur to wrap around the container, put in area away from the wind, hide deeper in a log or hole in a tree, etc… some individuals may have decided just to carry their animal during the hike. These are all good “adaptation” strategies for a group discussion. 

America’s State Parks First Day Hikes

Des Moines – Iowa State Parks will sponsor free, guided hikes in five state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states. 

America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1 at a state park close to home. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. 

“We are excited to host First Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our parks.  First Day Hikes are a great way to cure cabin fever and burn off those extra holiday calories by starting off the New Year with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks,” said Todd Coffelt, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau.  

Priscilla Geigis, president of the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD), said last year, state parks across the country hosted nearly 28,000 people who hiked 68,811 miles as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes. “Think of it as the start of a new and healthy lifestyle, for the whole family. Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of America’s State Parks on New Year’s Day,” Geigis said.

Iowa’s state parks boast a variety of beautiful settings for year-round outdoor recreation, and each First Day Hike will offer an opportunity to explore the unique natural and cultural treasures close to home. 

“Studies have proven that getting outdoors is one good way to relax and recharge the body, mind and spirit,” stated Lewis Ledford, NASPD’s executive director.  “We hope that hiking along a trail in a state park will become part of an individual’s or family’s regular exercise routine.”

First Day Hikes originated more than 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Mass.  The program was launched to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year round recreation at state parks.  Last year marked the first time all 50 state park systems have joined together to sponsor First Day Hikes.

Park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes, which average one to two miles or longer depending on the state park.  Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain and tips regarding proper clothing are listed on the America’s State Parks website.  Visit www.naspd.org to find a First Day Hike nearest you.

In Iowa, hikes will be offered at the following locations and times:

• Bellevue State Park, Jackson County – 1 p.m. – meet at South Bluff Nature Center
• Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, Webster County – 1 p.m. – meet at Prairie Resource Center
• Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, Dubuque County – 1 p.m. – meet at EB Lyons Nature Center
• Walnut Woods State Park, Polk County – 9 a.m. – meet at Walnut Woods Lodge
• Waubonsie State Park, Fremont County – 1 p.m. – meet at park office

For more information about the hikes, go to the events calendar on the DNR website.

America's State Parks is committed to promoting outdoor recreation in state parks as a way to address obesity, especially among children.  Getting kids outside and unplugged from video games and other electronic media creates a unique connection with nature that promotes physical and mental well-being and encourages creativity and stewardship of our shared resources.

Media Contact: Todd Coffelt, Chief, State Parks Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-725-8485.        

115th Christmas Bird Count - Gathering Information for Bird Conservation

The 115th Christmas Bird Count will be conducted from Sunday, December 14, 2014 through Monday, January 5, 2015. This longest running Citizen Science survey in the world, provides critical data on population trends. The data collected by observers over the past century allow researchers, conservation biologists, and interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America.

If you would like to participate, check out the searchable map to find a counting "circle" near you. Below is information about the Jamaica Circle event at the Springbrook Conservation Education Center.

Audubon Christmas Bird Count (Jamaica Circle)

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Early morning owling and birding on your own/join us if you wish

7:00 – 7:30 am - Meet at the Springbrook Conservation Education Center (north of Guthrie Center) to organize parties; optional for those with pre-arranged areas.

12:00 pm - Compare notes and have lunch at Just Ethel’s in Yale. Those who wish to continue will decide areas to cover.

5:00 pm - Return to Springbrook Conservation Education Center for compilation and Chili (You may phone or email results if you prefer.)

If you have questions, please contact: Anne Riordan; work: 641-747-8383 ext 10; cell: 641-431-1455; Anne.riordan@dnr.iowa.gov

Upcoming PLT/Trees for Kids Training

Implementing the Iowa Core Through Site-based Projects
January 23, 2015
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch provided
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (909 Robert D Ray Drive, Des Moines)

Iowa Project Learning Tree is teaming with Trees for Kids and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden to conduct workshops to help educators learn how to develop a school site outdoor project to implement a STEM based approach to your curriculum. We will introduce a variety of teaching methods and materials (including Project Learning Tree)that can be used to develop a project based learning unit to include: tree planting, care and maintenance on or near your school site. Teaching partners/groups are encouraged to facilitate planning/implementation of projects. This training is an opportunity to fulfill your Trees for Kids grant requirements.

Registration Deadline: January 9, 2015 
Registration Fee: $20.00; Registration form and fee must be received by the deadline to secure your spot at the workshop. Checks made payable to: IA Department of Natural Resources. Mail the form and fee to: Education and Outreach, Attn: School Site Projects, 2473 160th Road, Guthrie Center, IA 50115. Cancellation requests (for a full refund) must be received no later than January 12, 2015.

For questions regarding the workshop, contact: Laura Wagner, phone: (515) 725-8456, email: laura.wagner@dnr.iowa.gov or the Project Learning Tree office, phone: (641) 747-2200, email: EdInfo@dnr.iowa.gov. 

Real Scientific Research and Data Professional Development

Leading Authentic Place-based Student Investigations: Water On-line Course (6-12 Educators)
February 2 – April 16, 2015

"I have gained so much from this class. ...what the others in this class have shared shows me ... I can adapt all things to meet my students’ needs along with my own, the schools, and the district’s needs. I have learned that I need to allow students [to] question more in science and encourage them to explore to discover solutions for problems they face. Letting go a little and letting their questions lead the class in inquiry projects is not as scary as I originally thought. Accepting their thoughts and ideas but directing them when they need guidance is a wonderful way to learn together." 

Engage your students in real scientific research of a local water issue while you improve your own content knowledge and pedagogy. With your students, you will develop and conduct a place-based water student investigation unit (or enhance a current unit). Explore the DNR data resources and learn how you can use them in your classroom.

Each week a new course module focusing on a different topic related to the 5 Essential Features of Inquiry, place-based learning and Iowa water issues will become available (time requirement 4-5 hours per week). You should be comfortable navigating web pages, have access to internet and a computer on a daily basis, and possess basic computer skills.

Registration deadline is January 23, 2015 - you must register electronically. Registration fee: $150 (includes materials and 2 license renewal credits). This course is being offered by AEA PD Online, a joint initiative by all of Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This course therefore uses AEA PD Online's alternative fee schedule for license renewal credit. Transcripts and credit will be issued by AEA PD Online instead of Heartland AEA.

Chickadee Tax Check-off

Last year, more than 8,000 Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their tax form. This marks the fourth straight year donations to the fund have increased, a trend that Stephanie Shepherd, DNR Wildlife Diversity Biologist, hopes to continue in 2014.

“The amount Iowans are donating to the fund is growing after a 10-year downward trend,” said Shepherd. “Those donations go directly to research and habitat development for some of Iowa’s most vulnerable animal species, so the funds are very important for natural resources.”

According to Shepherd, Iowans donated $136,000 last spring when completing their 2013 tax forms.

The Fish and Wildlife Fund, known popularly as the “Chickadee Check-off,” is a mechanism the Iowa Legislature created in the 1980s for Iowa citizens to donate to wildlife conservation on the Iowa state tax form. At its height, Iowans donated more than $200,000 annually to the fund. According to Shepherd, one of the main reasons for the decline is the increase in electronic tax filing.

“It is easy to pass over or forget, and many tax preparers may not remember to ask whether a client wants to donate,” said Shepherd. “It may be up to the taxpayer to remind their preparer, or check out the completeness of the electronic program they are using.”

According to Shepherd, donating on the tax form is easy: simply write the amount to donate next to the Fish and Wildlife Check-Off (somewhere between lines 55-60 on Form 1040) and the sum is either automatically deducted from the refund or added to the amount owed. As with all charitable contributions, the amount is deductible from next year’s taxes. 

“Currently only about half a percent of Iowans donate,” said Shepherd. “Our goal in 2014 is for more people to find the check off on their tax form, and to increase donations by 10 percent.”

All proceeds from the check-off support the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Diversity program, responsible for protecting more than 1,000 fish and wildlife species in the state. Money from the Check-off helps improve wildlife habit, fund research studies, support the reintroduction of threatened or endangered species, and much more.

DNR CONTACT: Stephanie Shepherd at 515-432-2823 ext. 102 or stephanie.shepherd@dnr.iowa.gov

PLT GreenSchools – Free Kits

Project Learning Tree’s GreenSchools! inspires students to take personal responsibility for improving the environment at their school, home, and in their community. Schools can choose to become certified by Project Learning Tree as a way to honor their students, teachers, and other members of the school community who save energy, reduce waste, recycle, conserve water, and improve their school grounds, among other projects.

PLT has revised its GreenSchools! certification program to reflect environmental education in the curriculum, student leadership, and environmental action. Free kits containing a variety of recognition items will be awarded to the first 10 schools that meet PLT’s new requirements to become a Certified PLT GreenSchool.

PLT GreenSchools! certification recognizes a school’s commitment to teaching students about the environment, and maintaining a healthy and sustainable learning environment. Regardless of where you are on the continuum, there is always room for growth and PLT, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, is proud to provide a variety of resources, grant opportunities, and other support to schools, teachers, and students who lead the way for a more sustainable future.

Balancing Technology and Nature

Technology offers an exciting way to engage your students with the natural world. Use these suggestions to help your students learn new ways to interact with nature and each other.

Get Digital

Take students on a nature walk. Give students opportunities to photograph things in their outdoor environment and bring this information back to the classroom. Early elementary students could make an alphabet book or assemble a display about colors in nature. Upper elementary students could monitor changes over time by photographing plants or trees at different times of the year. Older students could use digital cameras to collect data about the amount of litter in given areas to use in math or science lessons.

Digital Recording Device

Record environmental sounds in a variety of areas around the school. Replay them in the classroom and have students use the information collected to construct a sound map. Or interview several students about a playground event and use the recordings to discuss point of view in writing. Or collect opinions about improving the playground and use the data to construct a variety of graphs. Expand the lesson to teach persuasive letter writing and have students synthesize the data and report it to the school community or leadership.

Apps for Connecting to the Natural World

• Creek Watch - Be stewards of your local watershed by using this app to snap photos of a local waterway and report how much water or trash there is. The app aggregates the data and shares it with local water agencies to help them track pollution and water resources.
• Google Earth - Help students explore their natural environment from a bird’s eye view and compare and contrast it with habitats around the world. Layers, including roads, borders and places, provide additional perspective of the surroundings.
• iNaturalist - Equip your students to record their observations of the natural world and share them with a social network for naturalists, potentially contributing to scientific research.
• Journey North - Transform your students into citizen scientists by equipping them with this app which allows them to track wildlife migrations and seasonal changes in the environment around them.
• Nature’s Notebook - Observe and record plant and animal lifecycle events (also known as phenology), such as flowering and bird migration. The observations also help scientists understand how species respond to environmental changes.
• Project Noah - Engage students in documenting local wildlife by uploading photos to Project Noah as part of a “mission”. A global community can help I.D. their “spottings” which in turn can help scientists keep track of wildlife populations.
• WeatherBug - Give your students access to the world’s largest network of real-time weather sensors for forecasts, alerts and more. Students can check weather conditions before heading out for field study or collect weather data over time and study how it impacts the local environment.
• WildLab Bird - Learn the basics of bird identification. This application uses audio, photographs, maps, and the process of elimination to help identify over 200 bird species. Sightings can also be entered into a national bird watching database for comparison.
• WildObs Observer - Search for and identify thousands of species of mammals, birds, snakes, plants, and more. Log your wildlife encounters for your own calculations or upload them to a national database for comparison.

Field Guides for Outdoor Discovery

• eNature FieldGuides - This free, comprehensive site provides animal and plant field guides, “ZipGuides” that help you find wildlife based on zip code, mobile apps for iPhone and more.
• Technology for FieldInvestigations: Scientist-Driven Technology Practices - Developed by the Pacific Education Institute for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’North American Conservation Education Strategy, this guide describes the technology used by natural resource professionals and available to K-12 students to conduct field investigations, problem solve through stewardship planning and projects and participate in outdoor recreation.

Websites for Digital Exploration

• BioBlitz Education - Whether participating in a National Geographic/National Park Service BioBlitz (an event that brings together naturalists and citizen scientists, including students, to take a snapshot of an area’s biodiversity) or a schoolyard bioblitz, the experience helps students study biodiversity firsthand with activities that support students to make observations, record data, understand classification and map their findings.
• Encyclopedia of Life - Educators and students can work within the Encyclopedia of Life to create a collection of schoolyard bioblitz results, generate a field guide to share with the community, and listen to a collection of podcasts that will familiarize students with the diversity of life on Earth.
• National Geographic FieldScope - National Geographic FieldScope is a web-based mapping, analysis, and collaboration tool designed to support geographic investigations and engage students as citizen scientists investigating real-world topics - both in the classroom and in outdoor education settings.

Nominate an Outstanding STEM Teacher Today!

Do you know a STEM teacher that goes above and beyond?

Nominations are open for the STEM Education Award for Inspired Teaching sponsored by Kemin Industries. This award will celebrate educators whose leadership and dedication to STEM in Iowa increases students' interest and awareness in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. One teacher from each of Iowa's six STEM regions will receive a $1,500 award along with an additional $1,500 to be used in their classroom.

Deadline for submissions is December 12, and winners will be announced March 2015. You do NOT need to be a Scale-Up recipient to participate--excellence is everywhere!

Nominate a STEM teacher today at: stemaward.fluidreview.com 

2015 Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grant

Funds Available to Aid in Teaching Students about Agriculture through Social Studies and Literacy

The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation in partnership with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is offering grants up to $200 to support the integration of agriculture into regular classroom instruction or after school programs. Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grants are designed to initiate new projects or expand existing projects that promote agriculture literacy. Grants can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, field-trips and other projects.  

The 2015 grant program focuses on Social Studies and Literacy and will only fund projects relating to these curriculum areas. The focus of the grant changes each year, to allow a variety of projects to receive funding. 

Grant applications must be submitted electronically by January 9, 2015.   The online application is available at: http://www.iowaagliteracy.org/news/teacher-supplement-grant.html

Spring STEM-based Natural Resources On-line Courses

Registration is open for the spring sessions of our on-line courses. For more information, contact Shannon Hafner, 641/747-2200.

Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources On-line Course (K-12 Educators)
January 19 – May 3, 2015

“This course has provided me with information and resources to make lessons more relevant and engaging. The focus on inquiry, sense of place, and many other important aspects of teaching have been beneficial in terms of planning lessons and remembering to keep students and student activities at the core of what I do. It’s not just about the content and this course helped rejuvenate my interest in making lessons more student centered.”

Learn how to utilize local natural resources as unifying themes to implement a STEM-based approach in your curriculum. You will work in small groups and individually to create a network of contacts and resources to teach natural resource concepts. Group and individual assignments will build on each other throughout the course.

Each week a new course module focusing on a specific environmental education topic, strategy or skill will be available (time requirement 4-5 hours per week). You should be comfortable navigating web pages, have access to internet and a computer on a daily basis, and possess basic computer skills.

Registration deadline is January 12, 2015 - you must register electronically. Registration fee: $225 (includes course materials and 3 license renewal credits). This course is being offered by AEA PD Online, a joint initiative by all of Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This course therefore uses AEA PD Online's alternative fee schedule for license renewal credit. Transcripts and credit will be issued by AEA PD Online instead of Heartland AEA.

Leading Authentic Place-based Student Investigations: Water On-line Course(6-12 Educators)
February 2 – April 16, 2015

"I have gained so much from this class. ...what the others in this class have shared shows me ... I can adapt all things to meet my students’ needs along with my own, the schools, and the district’s needs. I have learned that I need to allow students [to] question more in science and encourage them to explore to discover solutions for problems they face. Letting go a little and letting their questions lead the class in inquiry projects is not as scary as I originally thought. Accepting their thoughts and ideas but directing them when they need guidance is a wonderful way to learn together." 

Engage your students in real scientific research of a local water issue while you improve your own content knowledge and pedagogy. With your students, you will develop and conduct a place-based water student investigation unit (or enhance a current unit).

Each week a new course module focusing on a different topic related to the 5 Essential Features of Inquiry, place-plased learning and Iowa water issues will become available (time requirement 4-5 hours per week). You should be comfortable navigating web pages, have access to internet and a computer on a daily basis, and possess basic computer skills.

Registration deadline is January 23, 2014 - you must register electronically. Registration fee: $150 (includes materials and 2 license renewal credits). This course is being offered by AEA PD Online, a joint initiative by all of Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This course therefore uses AEA PD Online's alternative fee schedule for license renewal credit. Transcripts and credit will be issued by AEA PD Online instead of Heartland AEA.

2015 Take It Outside Art Contest

Celebrating wildlife artist, Maynard Reece & Iowa Fish

Category III First Place 2014 Winner 

Carmen A

“We really had a good time doing the contest. It brought in a lot of good discussion and even the teacher aides were surprised at some of the facts I shared from the DNR website. The kids loved it.”

The Department of Natural Resources invites you to enroll your class in our fourth annual “Take It Outside” Art Contest.

This year’s contest will celebrate the great contributions of wildlife artist, Maynard Reece. Reece is considered one of the founding fathers of wildlife art. As a child, he spent many hours exploring Lake Okoboji. His teachers discovered his artistic ability at the age of 13 and entered one of his drawings in the Iowa State Fair. As a young adult, Maynard worked at what is today known as the State Historical Museum collecting specimens for the museum’s collection and painting fish to create the plates for the original publishing of Iowa Fish and Fishing – this was instrumental in launching his career as a freelance artist. Reece’s fish drawings can be viewed on the DNR website. 

Students are encouraged to use their artistic skills to create an image of their favorite Iowa fish (see the eligible fish list in the complete contest rules) in its natural habitat. Fish species fact sheets are available on the DNR Education website (click on Fact Sheets/Fish in the Document Library). Starting next month, check out our Take It Outside: Fish Iowa! blog for more information about Iowa fish and Maynard Reece.

New This Year!

We are partnering with the Wildlife Forever^® State-Fish Art^® Contest to host an Iowa State-Fish Contest in conjunction with our annual Take It Outside Art Contest. The first place artwork in each judging category will be submitted for National Awards. First place winners at the state level will be honored at the annual State-Fish Art Expo this summer.

For more information visit our website.

Complete Contest Rules
Student Entry Form
Educator Registration Form

Seasonal Visits to a Special Outdoor Place

Find a special place outdoor where you and your students can observe nature throughout the school year. Your county conservation board naturalist is a great resource to help you find the perfect spot. Visit this same place each season and observe the changes.

Let each student identify their own special spot within your selected area. To help students select their personal space, play one or both of the following games:

• Eagle-Eye Game - Close your eyes and pretend to be an eagle soaring over the area. The eagle needs a place to land that is its own special place – find a place to land.
• Cat-Walking Game - Walk as if you are a cat. Slip along quietly in the shadows on the edge of cover. Walk a few steps and then stand still to sense danger. Turn your eyes and whiskers left, right, behinds, and up. Use your “body radar” to feel which way to go next. Walk a few more steps, the again stop, look, listen, and adjust your course. Keep walking with cat-like awareness until the perfect spot attracts you – settle in.

Have students record their observations in a nature journal or science notebook.

• Write down what you see, hear, smell or feel.
• Draw what you see, record how many you see- was their more than one animal?
• Can you tell the story of what happened when they walked by?
• Write down what sounds you hear, where do you think they are coming from?

Nature Journaling

Notable scientists, naturalists, and philosophers such as Charles Darwin, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and John Muir were all known for keeping journals of their observations, poems, and discoveries. Many of their famous literary works and groundbreaking observations were published from their journals.

Check out these great resources with tips on creating nature journals and using science notebooks.

A Sense of Place Nature Journaling
Interactive Science Notebooks

Looking into Students’ Science Notebooks: What Do Teachers Do with Them?

Nature journaling

Science Notebooks: Tools For Increasing Achievement across the Curriculum

Science Notebooks in K12 Classrooms

Using Science Notebooks to Assess Students’ Conceptual Understanding