07-25-2007, 03:10 PM
Snakes, Bones, and Storytelling at Wild River State Park this Saturday
Wild River State Park offers free naturalist programs for park visitors on most weekends throughout summer and fall. Programs this weekend feature guest storyteller Dwight Wilcox at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 28, at the park's amphitheater next to the campground. Dwight ends his session of fun and entertaining tales with a free marshmallow roast for those who attend.
Other programs, offered at the visitor center, feature Ripley, the park's captive 5½ foot bull snake, and a broad selection of bones of animals that were found in the park, with clues for you to use to figure out what kind of animal they are from.
Wild River State Park is located 3 miles north of MN Highway 95 between Taylors Falls and North Branch, MN. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required for entry and may be purchased at the park ($5 daily,
$25 12-month).
Listing of program topics and times:
Saturday, July 28, 11:00 a.m., at the visitor center.<br />
"Graveyard" Detectives (Featuring Our New Mystery Skeleton!). Can you read the clues that park staff have unearthed during the 34 years since Wild River State Park was established? You'll learn how to tell which part of an animal's body a bone is from, how to figure out food preference based on skull features, which animal has a lower jaw that stays together with the skull even after muscles and tendons are long gone, and probable causes of death of several of the specimens presented in the program, including the "mystery skeleton". Got a bone you found which you'd like to have explained? Bring it to the program!
Saturday, July 28, 2:00 p.m., at the visitor center.<br />
Slithery Snakes! Are snakes slithery, sneaky, and slimy? Or are they cool, quiet, and cautious? Learn about the snakes found in this park, see a live example, and touch a representative of this fascinating group of animals.
Saturday, July 28, 7:30 p.m., at campground amphitheater.<br />
Nature and Campfire Stories Told by Dwight Wilcox. Dwight Wilcox will be telling stories about the St. Croix Valley and sharing campfire tales. Some true, some not so true, but all fun and entertaining. Hear tall tales and true tales of the north woods and the St. Croix Valley, and fun stories and fables with a few surprises.
Coming soon! August 4, 7:00 p.m.<br />
Stephanie "The Bat Lady"<br />
Take a lively, around-the-world tour of bats with Stephanie! Learn how bats help to save the rainforests, and why you should thank a bat for bubble gum and bananas! At the end, meet a live Minnesota bat, up close, but safe, and watch him eat some "bugs". Did you know bats are good luck? And that there are over 1100 different kinds of bats? Join us to discover more! Meet at campground amphitheater.
For further information contact Dave Crawford, Park Naturalist.
Dave Crawford<br />
Park Naturalist<br />
Wild River State Park<br />
39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN, 55012<br />
(651) 583-2925/ fax (651) 583-3101<br />
dave.crawford@dnr.state.mn.us<br />
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/w...index.html
Wild River State Park offers free naturalist programs for park visitors on most weekends throughout summer and fall. Programs this weekend feature guest storyteller Dwight Wilcox at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 28, at the park's amphitheater next to the campground. Dwight ends his session of fun and entertaining tales with a free marshmallow roast for those who attend.
Other programs, offered at the visitor center, feature Ripley, the park's captive 5½ foot bull snake, and a broad selection of bones of animals that were found in the park, with clues for you to use to figure out what kind of animal they are from.
Wild River State Park is located 3 miles north of MN Highway 95 between Taylors Falls and North Branch, MN. A Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required for entry and may be purchased at the park ($5 daily,
$25 12-month).
Listing of program topics and times:
Saturday, July 28, 11:00 a.m., at the visitor center.<br />
"Graveyard" Detectives (Featuring Our New Mystery Skeleton!). Can you read the clues that park staff have unearthed during the 34 years since Wild River State Park was established? You'll learn how to tell which part of an animal's body a bone is from, how to figure out food preference based on skull features, which animal has a lower jaw that stays together with the skull even after muscles and tendons are long gone, and probable causes of death of several of the specimens presented in the program, including the "mystery skeleton". Got a bone you found which you'd like to have explained? Bring it to the program!
Saturday, July 28, 2:00 p.m., at the visitor center.<br />
Slithery Snakes! Are snakes slithery, sneaky, and slimy? Or are they cool, quiet, and cautious? Learn about the snakes found in this park, see a live example, and touch a representative of this fascinating group of animals.
Saturday, July 28, 7:30 p.m., at campground amphitheater.<br />
Nature and Campfire Stories Told by Dwight Wilcox. Dwight Wilcox will be telling stories about the St. Croix Valley and sharing campfire tales. Some true, some not so true, but all fun and entertaining. Hear tall tales and true tales of the north woods and the St. Croix Valley, and fun stories and fables with a few surprises.
Coming soon! August 4, 7:00 p.m.<br />
Stephanie "The Bat Lady"<br />
Take a lively, around-the-world tour of bats with Stephanie! Learn how bats help to save the rainforests, and why you should thank a bat for bubble gum and bananas! At the end, meet a live Minnesota bat, up close, but safe, and watch him eat some "bugs". Did you know bats are good luck? And that there are over 1100 different kinds of bats? Join us to discover more! Meet at campground amphitheater.
For further information contact Dave Crawford, Park Naturalist.
Dave Crawford<br />
Park Naturalist<br />
Wild River State Park<br />
39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN, 55012<br />
(651) 583-2925/ fax (651) 583-3101<br />
dave.crawford@dnr.state.mn.us<br />
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/w...index.html