Season Watch Newsletter: 1/13/2023

This week's newsletter features some enthusiastic reports of mid-winter phenology, The First Hooting of 2023, and an opossum that can help you bring in the groceries!

FEATURE: Managing your Forest for WIldlife

This week, Josh Donatell (Department of Natural Resources Forester) and Jeff Jackson (University of Minnesota Extension Educator) joined the Morning Show to discuss the Woodland Master Owner program! The program helps landowners create goals for their woodland, connect with local resource experts, and learn to manage their forests for wildlife, scenic, or harvest uses. If you're lucky enough to have a forest of your own, check it out! If you don't, you can join me in daydreaming about your Someday Cabin In The Woods.

Listen in!

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STUDENT AND LISTENER REPORTS

Y'all, this is a week you don't want to miss. Despite a record-setting month in Duluth (the snowiest on record!), icicle-covered houses in Baudette, and a frosty week in Pequot Lakes, our phenology students in Northfield have heard the spring call of the Black-capped Chickadee! They've prepared a particularly enthusiastic report for you. Enjoy!

Hear their voices!

JOHN LATIMER'S WEEKLY REPORT

John’s had a real hoot this week. He's been spotting the first subtle signs of spring! This week’s phenology report includes the first hootings of Great Horned Owl courtship, the phenology of Trembling Aspen buds, and a set of mystery animal tracks- enjoy! (Bonus link: You can check out John's photos of the mystery track here!)

Listen to John's report!

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More dates and locations will be announced. Desperate to get in on the fun? Send me an email, and we'll set up a zoom meeting!

2/11/23: Phenology in the Classroom and on the Radio. Back to Basics Conference, Pine River MN. Register here.
3/10/23: Phenology in the Classroom. TrekNorth High School, Bemidji MN. Registration TBA.
3/11/23: Phenology in the Classroom. UMN Crookston. Register here.

SARAH'S RECOMMENDATION

In the back of my brain, I knew that Virginia Opossums had semi-prehensile tails. I didn't know that they could pick up sticks with their little paddy-paws and carry them around with their tails! To my delight, I stumbled across this short video this week, which shows the behavior in detail. If I was equipped with a possum's pouch and tail, I'd never have to make two trips to bring in the groceries again!

Enjoy!

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In Town

It sure would be awesome to be an opossum!

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.