Osborne 5k Fun Run Recap

The Osborne 5k Fun Run was a great sucess this past weekend. We has a record number of 63 people run the 3.1 mile route through the pine trees, crossing the water and back to the finish line. Nobody got lost and everyone seemed to appreciate the opportunitity to run through the WATER!  Thank you to all the sponsers and participants who came this year. The funds will be used for Bus Scholarships so more schools may experience the same joy of the woods that the 63 Fun Run Runners did this past weekend.

Heritage Days

This October 9th-10th from 10a.m.-4p.m, go back in time to the small community of Osborne to glimpse the pioneer era. Enjoy exhibits, demonstrations, pioneer church service, food and much more.  Activities are fitting for all ages! More information can be found by calling the Osborne Nature Center at 563-245-1516.

Great Horned Owls

This morning while driving into work, I spotted a site that has become more and more familar; a dead owl on the side of the road. 

Owls are my favorite topic to present to kids. We learn about owl's amazing adaptations, how they control rodent populations, hoot for owls, and most importantly we learn NOT to throw food out of the seat of your car.  The reason for this is  when rodents see/smell food (lets say a french fries) on the roadside they will come out from the ditches to dispose of what you left.  Within a short distance of the ditches, waits the patient owl in a tree. Once the owl sees the mouse eating the french fries on the roadside, he will swoop down to eat him and possibly get hit by an oncoming vehicle.  Studies have shown the majority of dead raptors found along roadsides are most often Owls.  You can do your part to prevent Car/Owl collisions by Not throwing food out of the seat of your car.

Osborne 5K Fun Run

Grab your running shoes and head out to the Osborne Fun Run this September 18th at 9am.  Participants will run or walk he trails at the Osborne Center, crossing the Volga River along the way.  Plan on getting wet and or muddy!  The registration form can be found at www.claytoncountyconservation.org/  Hope to see you on the trails!

Water Poetry

How valuable is clear water in Iowa-more and more this topic is becomming the priority of the environmental movement of our state.  This poem was spawned based upon a few recent experiences kayacking/fishing rivers in Northeast Iowa.

we are on the only planet
where water is the indictor species of every living being
the flowing circulatory heart of earth
we dread having too little or too much, for
clean water and the human heart are out of touch
by thinking altering (draining) the landscape
and treating the water will suffice,
no matter the outcomes no matter the price,
we disregard the organisms who
succumb to our fate in the silted waters we create.


In a growing population
you better grab your clean share
while the ice is still melting.



Yes, come tomorrow
I’m heading north to borrow a boat
To go floating above for an honest purpose,
fishing below for a better meaning
of what lays under the surface.
Hoping for clearer waters to
reveal a flowing heart who is tranquil, healthy
and free.

Monarchs

For the past few weeks the Monarch Butterflys have been a spectacular sight in Osborne Nature Center's butterfly garden. Kids and parents alike, have been spending time in the garden chasing them around. The seasonal naturalists have also been keeping tabs on them by putting Milkweed and Monarch eggs in an large container where people are allowed to watch the transformation of the Monarch. Currently, there are over five catapillars downstairs in the Osborne Nature Center. Last week, a group of students was lucky enough to release a full grown Monarch into the wild.  Reports say this year may be a record year for Monarch Migration to Mexico-so find the time to get outside and see this wonderfull insect!