Season Watch Newsletter: 4/21/2023

After last week's sample of summer, we skipped right back to winter, then eased into a wet and cloudy spring. Alder catkins released pollen, maples bloomed, and Tree Swallows returned to Grand Rapids!

I want to remind you that our "Things are Happening" membership drive continues! Folks who become KAXE members will get our newly developed pocket phenology calendar as a thank you.

Additional ways to support us include sharing the newsletter with friends and family and writing us a note of support!

Everyone who has already donated, shared, or sent kind messages- thank you from the bottom of my pitter-pattering heart. I will get back to all of you as soon as I can!

FEATURE: Loon Restoration

This week, I dug back in the archives to a fun segment about a loon restoration project with the Northern Waters Land Trust! In an interview with Annie Knight and Rob Robasco, Heidi and John delve into NWLT's partnership with the MN Loon Restoration Project and their efforts to reduce loon nest mortality and promote ecosystem health.

Listen in!

Visit our Season Watch Facebook page!

STUDENT AND LISTENER CONTRIBUTIONS

Hear their voices!

JOHN LATIMER'S WEEKLY REPORT

Listen to John's report!

Support Season Watch here!

Can't make the workshops? Send me an email, and we'll set up a Zoom meeting!

4/28/23: Studying Phenology using Nature's Notebook. Hosted by the Lakes Chapter of Minnesota Master Naturalists. Meeting at 1 PM, Hartley Nature Center, Duluth. More info.
5/21/23: Phenology in the Classroom and on the Radio. Gathering Partners Conference, Chaska MN. Register here.

SARAH'S RECOMMENDATION

Need an extra dose of happy in your day? Check out our student phenologists at Eagle View Elementary- their class has a Facebook page!

Having visited these students last week, I can attest that they are engaged, curious, and enthusiastic. John and I had a great time exploring outdoors with them, despite the cold and windy weather! Their teacher, Deanne Trottier, posts some great photos of their outdoor adventures. It brought a smile to my face- I hope it does the same for you!

Enjoy!

Wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus).

Anishinaabemowin: omakakii

The wood frog can be identified by its white lip and dark stripe running from the nostril through the eye.

Their call is reminiscent of a mallard duck quacking. I remember it like this: wood frogs share a pond with wood ducks, and ducks quack!

Bonus fact: Wood frogs freeze solid during winter, then thaw and come back to life in the spring. Who doesn't love a frogsicle?

You can't be dour if you go find a flower!

Northern Community Radio

KAXE/KBXE

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Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.