DISCOVER Magazine

FEBRUARY 24, 2018 | DISCOVER!
6 | Nature
At a Glance:
WHAT: Hike the Wild - Elinor Bedell
State Park
WHERE: Meet at Dickinson County
Nature Center
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 9:30
a.m.
COST: Free
CONTACT: 712-336-6352
ONLINE: www.dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com
Future Hikes
“The focus a little bit this year too
is on going to different glacier
landmarks to show how the glacier
affected and formed the area,”
Ashley Hansen said.
Some such locations include the
Silver Lake Fen, Freda Huffier Kettlehole,
Ocheyedan Mound State
Preserve, and Cayler Prairie.
“It’ll be a fun program and good
way to spend time outdoors,” Hansen
said.
RYLAN HOWE | STAFF WRITER
EXPLORE
T H E G R E A T
OUTDOORS
Hike the Wild set to visit Elinor
Bedell State Park
The great outdoors is there for
everyone to enjoy during every
season. And yes, that includes
winter.
One of the goals of the next Hike
the Wild program is to show everyone
that winter is just as good a time as
any to get outside and enjoy nature.
This time around hikers will visit
Elinor Bedell State Park, and weather
permitting, don pairs of snowshoes
for an informative stroll around the
park on eastern shore of East Lake
Okoboji.
“Just because it’s cold and snowy
doesn’t mean we can’t get outside,”
said naturalist Ashley Hansen. “We’re
crossing our fingers that there is
good snow, but even if it’s slushy and
melted we’ll still go and just wear our
boots for hiking instead.”
The hike is from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday,
Feb. 27, and
those who
attend will
meet at the
Dickinson
County Nature Center before heading
to the state park.
Once out there, they’ll strap on the
snowshoes, or boots, depending on
the weather, and check out all there is
to see and hear.
“I went snowshoeing our there last
weekend to map out a route and may
go back again to focus on plant and
tree identification,” Hansen said.
“We’ll talk about the trees and plants
you find out there. I know some of
the plants have berries you can eat so
maybe we’ll talk about edible plants.”
In addition to the flora, like burr
oaks and raspberries, Hansen will
discuss the fauna in the park with her
fellow hikers.
“We’ll talk about some of the birds.
A kingfisher actually lives out there, so
maybe we’ll hear or see him,” Hansen
said.
Relatively new to the area, Hansen
looks forwarded to helping lead the
Hike the Wild series this year.
“I’m excited to see some places
I haven’t been before and to meet
people with similar interests,” Hansen
said. “This program attracts people that
want to be outside and I’m excited to
teach them about the natural history of
the area. It will be a lot of fun.”
For this particular hike, Hansen just
I’m excited to see some
places I haven’t been
before and to meet
people with similar
interests. This program
attracts people that
want to be outside and
I’m excited to teach
them about the natural
history of the area. It
will be a lot of fun.
Ashley Hansen
hopes the snow sticks around.
“I’m hoping that snowshoeing
is something different that will get
people interested in getting outside.
Even if it’s a little cold it will still be
fun to do. It’s fun and good exercise
too,” Hansen said.
During a time of year most people
stay cooped up waiting for spring,
Hike the Wild aims to inspire folks get
some fresh winter air at Elinor Bedell
State Park. F
Okoboji | Iowa