Celebrate the Arrival of Spring

Woodland Wildflower Hike

Join Elizabeth Hill, manager of Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA), on a woodland wildflower hike at CERA on Thursday, May 1.

Spring ephemeral wildflowers grow and flower before the forest trees leaf out and are only around for a few weeks. On the hike look for Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot, wild phlox, Virginia bluebells, trout lily, and many other plants, and migratory songbirds.

Wear long pants and close-toed shoes or boots, and bring a water bottle.

Students can reserve transportation to and from CERA by contacting Hill. The group will meet at 4:15 p.m. in front of the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center and return before 6:15 p.m.  

Anyone who wants to drive a personal vehicle can meet the group at CERA's Environmental Education Center at 4:35 p.m. 

Bird Banding with Tallgrass Audubon

Join Tallgrass Audubon Society for a morning of bird banding from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 3, on Bob and Connie Van Ersvelde’s beautiful property south of Grinnell.

Participants will help set up and check nets, learn how to determine the species, gender, and age of many migratory songbirds, and get a chance to hold a bird.

Students can reserve transportation to and from the Van Ersvelde's property by contacting Hill. The group will meet at 9 a.m. in front of the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center and return at 11:30 a.m.  

Directions: Take Hwy 146 (West Street) south. After you pass under I-80, drive a half-mile south. Turn right (west) at 420th Ave. — the corner with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. Drive three-quarters of a mile. At mailbox #224, turn left (south) onto the lane. Follow the lane about a tenth of a mile back to the Van Ersvelde's house. 

More Information

Contact Hill for reservations, transportation, and directions.

If you get lost, call Elizabeth Hill at (641) 260-6942.