AJ TaylorDecember 28, 2020Last Updated: February 28, 2021
If you’re looking for something to do during the long, cold nights of winter, especially now that Covid is keeping many people indoors, you might want to consider joining the Winnebago County Conservation Board’s Book Club! The first meeting will be over Zoom on Saturday morning, February 27
th, from 10:00-11:00 AM.
The book that the club will be reading this winter is Aldo Leopold’s
A Sand County Almanac, first published in 1949. Aldo Leopold was born in Iowa in 1887 and was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service, became an expert in the new field of wildlife management, and eventually became known as the “Father of Wildlife Ecology.”
AJ TaylorDecember 28, 2020Last Updated: February 28, 2021
Winter is one of the best times of the year to check out the nighttime sky! There is an abundance of bright stars and constellations and the cold, dry air makes for crisp, clear viewing. But, winter nights in Iowa can be bitterly cold. And, this year, with Covid everywhere, we can’t be standing around huddled together. So, the Winnebago County Conservation Board has moved their annual
Winter Stargazing program indoors and online!
The
Virtual Winter Stargazing program will be held over Zoom on Friday evening, January 15
th, beginning at 7:00 PM, and lasting about 45 minutes. Using an online interactive star chart (which people will be able to continue to use afterwards) and various illustrations, Winnebago County Naturalist Lisa Ralls will discuss the brighter stars and constellations that are visible this time of year, as well as a very bright planet that you can now see! All participants will be emailed a star chart
Safety tips on the ice
No ice is 100 percent safe.
New ice is usually stronger than old ice.
Don’t go out alone – if the worst should happen, someone will be there to call for help or to help rescue.
Let someone know where you are going and when you will return.
Check ice thickness as you go out – there could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed.
Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of weakness.
The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process.
Bring along these basic items to help keep you safe: hand warmers, ice cleats to help prevent falls, ice picks (wear around your neck) to help you crawl out of the water if you fall in, a life jacket, a floating safety rope, a whistle to call for help, a basic first aid kit and extra dry clothes including a pair of gloves.