February nature programs at Eddy Center

Vernal pool in Manchester area. Photo courtesy of Sybil Kolon.

by Sara Swanson

Waterloo Natural History Association (WNHA) sponsors public programs just 10 minutes north of Sharon Township at the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center, located at 17030 Bush Rd in the Waterloo Recreation Area. The Waterloo Recreation Area is 21,000 acres of forests, prairies, and wetlands located west of Chelsea. The WNHA is a nonprofit organization established to help visitors maximize their experiences in the Waterloo Recreation Area. 

One of the things WNHA does is sponsor nature-related programs most weekends during the school year. This month they are offering four programs. Advanced reservations are required for all programs. Register by calling (734) 475-3170. Most programs cost $2/person or $5/family but are free to WNHA members. A State Recreation Passport is required for entry to the park.

ARK ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS: 2 – 3pm, Sunday, Feb. 12. Join us for a fun and educational afternoon with Rebecca Barrett and her engaging live animals. Everyone will have the opportunity for a special hands-on experience with each of these creatures while learning about their lifestyles, characteristics, and personalities. Cost: $2/person or $5/family. Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center. Program limited to 40 people.

VERNAL POOL PATROL: 2 – 3pm, Sunday, February 19. From frozen frogs to floating fairies and fragile fingernail clams, Master Naturalist Doug Jackson shares the wonders of our enchanted woodland pools. Learn about the fascinating creatures that inhabit these pools and find out how you can participate in a statewide program collecting data about them. Your data will help to protect these often overlooked, yet delicate and important, ecosystems referred to as the coral reefs of the Midwest. Eddy Discovery Center. Register for this program at (734) 475-3170. Free admission.

WINTER WOODY PLANTS: 2 – 3:30pm, Sunday, February 26. How do you tell the dogwoods apart? … by their bark, of course! Join Naturalist Robert Ayotte for a basic introduction to the identification of our local trees, shrubs, and vines during winter. We will focus on buds, branching patterns, tree silhouettes, and bark. The illustrated introduction will be followed by an exploratory hike in the woods around the Discovery Center. Be prepared for icy trails. Cost: $2/person or $5/family. Eddy Discovery Center. Please register in advance at (734) 475-3170.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.