Osborne Nature Center

Stop in the Iowa Room at the Osborne Nature Center to see the new t-shirts and gifts we have on display. We also have several  monarch chrysalis and caterpillars below in the nature center. The two fawns in the Native Wildlife Exhibit are also up and moving around quite often.

Caring for Baby Birds

All around Clayton County, new birds are trying out their wings for the first time: Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Blue Birds, Robins, Phobes, Chickadees, on and on the list goes.  If you find a baby bird on the ground here are a few things you can do to help. More than likely the birds parent(s) are near the area and are watching the bird so make sure pets and other yard animals are out of the way. From a short distance observe the bird and see if the parents fly down to feed him/her or try to take care of the bird. If no parental action is observed you can pick up the bird and place it back in the nest. Birds DO NOT have a highly developed sense of smell, so your scents should not deter the parent(s) from coming back to the nest.

Algific Slopes

Feeling the heat of summer yet-your local Algific Slopes are loving it!  Algific(cold air)Slopes are a unique micro-climate found in the Driftless area in Northeast Iowa. These sensitive ecosystems are only found in a few places of the world, Iowa being one of them.  Algific slopes formed when warm summer air is drawn into sinkholes and is cooled as it flows over iced blocks of limestone.  The cool air then escapes through the vents on the sides of the Algific Talus slope.  The Fish & Wildlife Service diagram below shows the process in-depth.

 Algific Slopes contain a large number of diverse species not typically found in Iowa. Some of these species include:  Canada Yew, Balsam Fir Tree, Golden Saxifrage. Also the Federally Endangered Iowa Pleistocene Snail and Federally Threatened Northern Monkshood plant-both of these species can only survive on Algific Slopes.  The other day the naturalists at Osborne had the opportunitity to view the Northern Monkshood for the first time. The picture truly can do no justice to the beauty and sensitive requirements of this fragile plant we are blessed to have in our county.

For more information on Algific Slopes in Northeast Iowa you contact Osborne Nature Center or  the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service who manages the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge.

Northeast Iowa Poetry

Things at Osborne have been very busy with the Junior Naturalist Camps in full swing. Hope to have some updates and pictures from them soon. In the meantime, a night of refuge and inspiration was found while camping in a secluded valley on the Turkey River Watershed; creating this poem.  Wish we could all venture back to the times when the land was still wild and free.  Enjoy!


Relic Ridge
In a different day
a different time
you were mine
We were native lovers in another life,
Our spirits were young
our souls were old.
tonight I revisit
the spot where our
stories were told.


In a time when the world
was still sacred,
we shared the blessings
of the Driftless together.
We tickled ourselves with bluestems,
climbed the giant white pine
danced with the owl moon,
swam freely in a clear river
On relic ridge you were mine.

We followed the natural cycle.
in a country full of game
we blended our lifestyle with
perfect harmony
With open minds we
read the book of nature,
we were the oaks and prairies rooted deeply
in the Driftless soil.
Together we sowed the seeds of love,
we never let our food spoil;
for our impact was light and
our respect was deep for
the land which sustained us.

In a different day,
a different time
you were mine.
We were native lovers in another life,
Our spirits were young
our souls were old.
tonight I revisit
the spot where our
stories were told.

Centuries ago,
on this archaic limestone
our human lives were left behind
Nature is constant motion;
our bodies leave hope for
new life to be grown.
Now my spirit awakes with the
sun bringing dawn,
not with the sadness of
you being gone cause;
I won't forget the summer solstice
the sacred nights we shared
dancing in the ambiance of the Driftless.

In a different day,
a different time
you were mine.
We were native lovers in another life;
Our spirits were young
our souls were old,
tonight I revisit
relic ridge where our
stories are told.

Motor Mill

Just a quick note to remind everyone to visit Motor Mill this summer. Hidden in the Turkey River valley, the Motor Mill Historic Site is a peaceful natural area managed by Clayton County Conservation. Motor Mill features a six-story limestone flouring mill and four related stone buildings dating from the late 1860’s. The surrounding ground also includes a restored upland Oak Savanna to walk and has plenty of bird viewing opportunitites; camping is also available. Free tours are available Saturdays 9-5, Sundays 12-5 and holidays 9-5, two weekends/ month May-September or group tours by appointment.  Open weekends are:

June 26-27
July 3-4 July 17-18
July 31-August 1 August 14-15
August 28-29 September 4-6
September 18-19

Ornate Box Turtle Found

This Ornate Box Turtle was found crossing the road four miles west of Millville.  The children promptly picked it up and brought it into Osborne for identification and help.  After getting their picture taking and learning some facts about Ornate Box Turtle's the children returned the turtle to the area near where they found it.

Ornate Box Turtles are listed as a THREATENED species in Iowa and are very uncommon in Northeast Iowa.  They are Iowa's only fully terrestrial (land dwelling) turtle and are a good indicator species  These turtles prefer large open sandy habitats where they can bury themselves in the sand and also require sandy areas for reproduction/egg laying.  Due to few natural preditors Ornate Box turtles can live up to 50 years old-however Iowa's population is threatened because of the lack of sandy habitat available and car collisons.  

Thank you to the children who had the knowledge and caring to bring this special reptile into Osborne. I am sure they will not forget it-I know I won't.