See ferns unfurling in the fresh dampness of a black ash woodland, stroll through a moss-green cedar forest, find spring ephemeral flowers awakening on a hardwood knoll, and visit Cedar Bog Lake while marsh marigolds are announcing the spring. We will then visit Beckman Lake bog, a southern outpost of Black Spruce with numerous Labrador Tea, leather leaf, carnivorous pitcher plants on a carpet of sphagnum moss.
Please assemble at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 9:00.
Explore the rolling topography of Allison Savanna, a Scientific and Natural Area right at the south-east corner of the Cedar Creek area. This was an early acquisition of the Nature Conservancy and remains one of the best tracts of the vanishing bur oak savanna in our state. Large-flowered Beardtongue should be in full flower and busy with bees. Also sandy blowouts will be alive with the activities of tiger beetles, velvet ants, and spider wasps. Dung beetles should be rolling deer pellets. Contrast Allison Savanna with the prescribed burning units across the road on Cedar Creek, and learn about the benefits of fire in savanna ecosystems.
Please assemble at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 9:00.
Canoe Fish Lake, exploring the cattail maze along the western shore*. Listen for Sandhill Cranes. Marvel at the diversity of bird life along its shores. Learn some aquatic plants. Observe dragonfly mating antics on the lake. Stop and explore the public Nature Trail along the south shore of the lake.
Please assemble at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 9:00.
* Four canoes are available at the Lawrence Laboratory building. If you have one of your own, please bring it.
August 4, 2007: Environmental Education Specialist-guided tour: Cedar Bog Lake
Visit a rare community of hardwood forest surrounded by cedar swamp, exploring the unique plant life found in the water-logged soils and beneath the dense canopy of sugar maples and basswood. Learn about the geology and natural history that shaped this unique area, enabling it to support a great variety of ecosystems, from arid oak savannas to ferny lowlands and hardwood knolls. Visit the famous location of Raymond Lindeman’s pioneering study in ecosystem ecology.
Please assemble before 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 10:00.
Hopefully see hundreds of Monarchs on their fall migration nectaring at Blazing Stars in this beautiful savanna. Become acquainted with the dominant native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Visit Cedar Creek's prescribed Burn Units across the road and learn of the effects that burns of different frequency have on resultant plant communities.
Please assemble at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 9:00.
August 18, 2007: Environmental Education Specialist-guided tour: Beckman Lake and Bog
Stroll along a boardwalk through this rare community of black spruce, tamarack, and heaths, learning about the formation of bogs and discovering the amazing adaptations of resident plant life. Learn about the conditions that shape life in a bog while traveling across a floating mat of sphagnum moss. Look for the carnivorous pitcher plant and sundew that have eked out a living in the inhospitable conditions.
Please assemble before 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 10:00.
August 25, 2007: Environmental Education Specialist-guided tour: Fish Lake
Stroll along the nature trails that border Fish Lake and meander through its surrounding oak savanna, learning about the varied flora and fauna of the area. Spot red-headed woodpeckers, pause for the eerie cry of a loon, and maybe see a bald eagle in flight over the lake. Learn about the importance of fire in maintaining endangered oak savannas, and catch a glimpse into the fire research at Cedar Creek.
Please assemble before 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 10:00.
September 1, 2007: Environmental Education Specialist-guided tour: Beckman Lake and Bog
Stroll along a boardwalk through this rare community of black spruce, tamarack, and heaths, learning about the formation of bogs and discovering the amazing adaptations of resident plant life. Learn about the conditions that shape life in a bog while traveling across a floating mat of sphagnum moss. Look for the carnivorous pitcher plant and sundew that have eked out a living in the inhospitable conditions.
Please assemble before 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 10:00.
Visit Cedar Bog Lake where Decodon (see picture)should be turning brilliant crimson. We will then visit Beckman Lake, a rare southern outpost of the vast peatlands of tamarack and black spruce that cover thousands of square miles of North America. Explore the floating mat of sphagnum moss that borders the lake and learn the common bog plants. Look for the carnivorous pitcher plants and sundew, and also find cranberries.
Please assemble at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 9:00.
September 15, 2007: Environmental Education Specialist-guided tour: Fish Lake
Stroll along the nature trails that border Fish Lake and meander through its surrounding oak savanna, learning about the varied flora and fauna of the area. Spot red-headed woodpeckers, pause for the eerie cry of a loon, and maybe see a bald eagle in flight over the lake. Learn about the importance of fire in maintaining endangered oak savannas, and catch a glimpse into the fire research at Cedar Creek.
Please assemble before 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 10:00.
September 22, 2007: Environmental Education Specialist-guided tour: Allison Savanna
Wander across the rolling topography of ancient sand dunes as you explore the diversity of plant life in a remnant oak savanna. Look for birds and signs of animals as you become familiar with common prairie and savanna plants. Learn about the natural history of oak savannas and the changes that have taken place since settlement. Discover the importance of fire in maintaining these endangered communities.
Please assemble before 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 10:00.
September 29 , 2007: Environmental Education Specialist-guided tour: Cedar Bog Lake *CANCELED*
Visit a rare community of hardwood forest surrounded by cedar swamp, exploring the unique plant life found in the water-logged soils and beneath the dense canopy of sugar maples and basswood. Learn about the geology and natural history that shaped this unique area, enabling it to support a great variety of ecosystems, from arid oak savannas to ferny lowlands and hardwood knolls. Visit the famous location of Raymond Lindeman’s pioneering study in ecosystem ecology.
Please assemble before 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 10:00.
October 13, 2007: Naturalist-Guided Tour: Burn Area Ski Trails - Yearning for winter, but hoping it doesn't arrive too soon
Enjoy a stroll through the varied plant communities found in the southern reaches of Cedar Creek--mixed conifer-hardwood forest, isolated wetlands. Enjoy fall colors--striking red maples, oaks in many hues, and tamaracks that are beginning to golden.. All this beauty available in the bugless environment of crisp fall air
Please assemble at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lawrence Laboratory building (directions). The tours leave promptly at 9:00.
