A Grand Day Out

Buena Vista County Naturalist, Katie van der Linden, met us at Buena Vista County Park on October 7 to share her knowledge about Iowa animals. Katie's educational snakes, turtles and salamanders were there for hands on learning! We especially loved the snapping turtle! Diane Christiansen took us on a hike from 45 mile per hour winds at the top of the hill, down to tranquility at the bottom. It was raining beautiful oak leaves on our heads! We talked about prairie life, animals of the prairie & home remedies the settlers used. Amazing!

http://www.co.buena-vista.ia.us/conserv/coninfo/#..

Below are pictures of our adventure at the O'Brien County Prairie Heritage Center. It sits atop a hill overlooking a valley perfect for observing wildlife. On site is a small herd of bison. Students were thrilled to learn about & touch bones, fur & a real bison bladder! On the main floor they learned about Iowa prairie animals through interpretive displays and stuffed wildlife. They were even able to snuggle up in bison fur. Downstairs was a gigantic snake skeleton, courtesy of Iowa State University. Great hands on displays taught students all about snake movements, habits, habitats & bodies. To complete the trip was a hike in the amazingly tall prairie grass. We played a predator-prey game and absolutely lost students in the grass. This place is definetly worth a family visit!

http://www.prairieheritagecenter.org/

http://prairieheritagecenter.blogspot.com/2010/02/prairie-heritage-center.html

Aldo, just beat!