Full moon walks; simplicity series; bird banding; backyard chickens and more in January

Enjoy these eco-activities this month - January 2010 - in Eastern Iowa:

NOTE: This event (bird banding) has been postponed due to the extreme cold. Check back here for the rescheduled date.  Sat., Jan. 2, 9 a.m. to noon - The Linn County Conservation Department will host a Bird Banding program at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville. Winter conditions draw a large number of birds to the feeders at Wickiup Hill. Rob Bradley will be banding birds caught near these feeders. Large numbers of gold finches, woodpeckers, cardinals and other birds can be observed. Birds are banded indoors so close-up views of feather colors and behaviors can be observed. Cost is $2.50/adult, $1/ child 16 and under, or $5/family.

 Tues., Jan. 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, and Prairiewoods,  120 East Boyson Road, Hiawatha. Green and Simple: Simplicity Discussion Series. Voluntary simplicity addresses distractions from modern society that keep us from caring for ourselves, our relationships, and our environment. This course explores the impact our lifestyle choices have on the world. Join Prairiewoods and the Nature Center for a six-week discussion course that introduces various aspects of simple living. Begin with a free, no-obligation preview discussion of simplicity principles and choices on Tuesday, Jan. 5,6:30-7:30 PM at Prairiewoods. Following the introductory session, small group discussions will occur on Tuesday, Jan. 12 & 19 (at Prairiewoods) and Jan. 26, Feb. 2 & 9 (at ICNC) at 6:30 PM. Discussions will be based on readings featuring these subjects: The Meaning of Simplicity, Living More with Less, Making a Living, Do You Have the Time?; and, Living Simply and Sustainably. Call the Nature Center for more information (319) 362-0664. Participation in the series requires a $30 fee for the discussion book.

 Fri., Jan. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Prairiewoods, The Burning Truth of the Climate Crisis. Speaker Cathleen Real's presentation is based on the film "An Inconvenient Truth" and she will provide an update on the information offered in the movie. Donations accepted.

 Mon., Jan. 18, 2-4 p.m., Snowshoe Nature Hike, Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center. Cost: Children - $10.00. Clothing should be in layers to allow for removal to prevent overheating.  This is a cooperative program with Cedar Rapids Parks and Rec.  Register with the Ambrose Center at 286-5731.  Cost is $10 or $8 for CR residents.

 Thurs., Jan. 21, 7 p.m. - Beekeeping Class, Session 1, Indian Creek Nature Center. First in a series of eight classes for the beginning beekeeper and beekeeping hobbyist. In Session I learn about the equipment and materials needed for beekeeping. Cover the essentials for a functioning hive, total costs, assembly of hive body and frames, clothing and ordering equipment. Series Fee: members: $50, non-members: $80. Couples may attend for one fee.

 Sat., Jan. 23, 10:30 a.m. – Brucemore's Winter Landscape Hike, 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids. Join the Brucemore gardeners for a guided hike through Brucemore's 26 acres of winter landscape, enjoying the contrasts of sundry foliage, bold lines of tree boughs and stories told through tracks in the snow. Winter is the ideal time to appreciate the armature and skeletal construction built into the landscape through tree and shrub plantings, as well as to see the color and form of specific species.  Learn to interpret the tracks of activity created by resident wildlife and experience the varieties of birds that winter on the estate.  Explore current issues of preservation and public use, along with stories from the past about the Brucemore families' seasonal activities. As with all Brucemore landscape hikes, participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions and seek advice about their own gardens and landscapes. The winter landscape hike is the first event in a yearlong series of garden programs celebrating the 100www.brucemore.org Special package pricing is available for the three additional seasonal landscape hikes as well as the anniversary celebration Growing Appreciation programs. 

^th

anniversary of the Brucemore formal gardens.  Admission is $10 per person and $7 per Brucemore member. Space is limited, call (319) 362-7375 for reservations or register online at

 Sat., Jan. 23, 2 p.m. – Green and Simple: Backyard Food Production, Indian Creek Nature Center. Chickens are fascinating animals that can be raised in a city to produce home grown eggs. Towns across the United States are altering ordinances to allow homeowners to keep a few hens in their backyard gardens. Join Curt McCoskey for a virtual tour of Iowa's renowned Murray McMurray Hatchery. Learn which breeds are best suited for urban egg production and discuss chicken housing and husbandry with Mr. McCoskey and members of Cedar Rapids Citizens for the Legalization of Urban Chickens (CLUC). Members: $3, Nonmembers: $5.

 (NOTE: registration for the following event is due Jan. 15) Sat., Jan. 23, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Local food producer workshops, sponsored by Iowa State University Extension, Iowa State University Center for Small Farm Sustainability, and Iowa Valley RC&D; Linn County Extension, 3279 7www.extension.iastate.edu/linn or call the Linn County Extension Office at:  phone:  319-377-9839.  Registrations are needed by January 15, 2010 and cost for the program is:  $15 for the morning or afternoon only or $25 for both workshops.  Workshops are limited to 30 participants. 

^th

Avenue, Marion. Increased demand for locally grown foods is an opportunity for producers interested in becoming involved or learning more about entering local food markets.  The event, Cultivating Your Agrarian Dream – Becoming a Successful Local Food Producer, will be held to encourage more local food producers. The local food producer event will include two workshops.  The morning workshop, designed for new and upcoming producers of fruits, vegetable, and meats, will help individuals evaluate their potential for entering food markets, hear from a panel of successful local producers, and provide information on resources available for new growers.   Andrew Larson, Iowa State University Extension Program Specialist for Small Farm Sustainability and David Baker from the Beginning Farmer Center will conduct the workshop.  Marketing and merchandizing at farmers markets will be the focus of the afternoon workshop for anyone interested or currently selling at farmers markets.  Andy Larson will discuss practical ways farmer-vendors can present themselves and their products to sell at farmers markets.  Growers who want to get serious about farmers markets and the income opportunities they can provide will learn  how farmers markets are affecting Iowa, as well as strategies to draw in customers, convey their stories, make the sale and bring customers back.  Registration information can be found online at: 

Fri. Jan 29, 7 p.m. – Night Walk: The Moon After Yule, Indian Creek Nature Center, Join naturalists for a series of winter evening walks featuring sensations of the night: the sky, sounds, and plant and animal adaptations. January's full moon walk will feature the brightness of the evening reflected off the cover of snow. We will listen for the subtle sounds of night stirrings and share lunar stories. Dress warmly for these walks on Nature Center trails. We have an indoor alternative in case of cloudy skies. Members, Adult: $3, Nonmembers Adult: $4, Children: $1.

 Fri. Jan. 29, 2-5 p.m. and Sat. Jan. 30. 9 a.m. – noon,  Culver's Garden Center & Greenhouse,  1682 Dubuque Road, Marion, will hold a Retail Job Fair for individuals interested in seasonal employment in Culver's garden center, greenhouses or nursery. During the job fair, job seekers will learn about seasonal positions available in 2010, learn what a retail position at Culver's entails, take a tour of the facility and fill out an application. Interviews will be scheduled for the following week based on applications taken at the job fair. Appointments are not required; individuals are invited to walk in during job fair hours. Questions can be directed to Rachel at Culver's Garden Center & Greenhouse, 319-377-4195.

 Sat., Jan. 30, 1 p.m. – Third Annual Paddle Day, Indian Creek Nature Center. Sticks-in-the-Water Paddle Club, Seatasea Watersports and Indian Creek Nature Center invite novice and experienced paddlers to discover great spots to paddle in Eastern Iowa and within the metro area. A series of speakers and paddling displays will cover places to go, paddling, fishing, equipment, and more. A list of speakers and details will be available at www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org or call the center (319) 362-0664. members: $7, nonmembers, $10.

Sat., Jan. 30, 7-8 p.m., Full Ice Moon Hike, Wickiup Hill, 10260 Morris Hills Road, Toddville. The Linn County Conservation Department invites area residents to participate in a full moon hike.  Take a brisk walk under the full moon.  If the sky is clear of clouds, the night sky will be bright with stars and the glow of the ice moon. Be prepared to see your breath and listen to night sounds carried by long distance in the cold air. Meet inside the Learning Center. Please register by January 27 by calling 319-892-6485. Cost is $2.50/ adult, $1/child