Ecoblitz to return

Published 4:24 pm Saturday, June 11, 2011

Area residents are encouraged to bring their family to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for a morning, afternoon, or full day of outdoor summer fun.

Ecoblitz focuses on the discovery and exploration of the natural world.

This is a free event, but a parent or guardian and child must pre-register and participate together in at least three of the five different activities to receive prizes and raffle chances. The activities offered include timed canoe races on the pond, trail tours on an access vehicle or bird walks with Austin Audubon members, scooping the pond for aquatic critters, geocaching (new this year), and nature activities and critters with Wisconsin Naturalist David Stokes. Also, the visitor center has trail activities, animal stamping, temporary tattoos, a coloring contest and an art activity.

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Ecoblitz begins at 8:30 a.m. and morning sessions are scheduled from 9 to 9:45 a.m., 10 to10:45 a.m., and 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Afternoon sessions will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and 2 to 2:45 p.m., with prizes drawn at 3:15 p.m.

Sign-up forms are available at the Nature Center. Complete three of the five activities and turn in your Ecoblitz form to take home one compact fluorescent light bulb and a pack of seeds to plant (one prize package per family). Completed Ecoblitz forms will also be entered in the 3:15 p.m. prize drawing for T-shirts, canoe rentals and more, and the best time at the pond canoe race will win two canoe rentals valued at $20.

The Summer Solstice Ecoblitz is co-sponsored by Austin Audubon and the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center and is part of the second annual Family Fun Day. Austin Utilities donated the compact fluorescent bulbs.

Call 437-7519 or e-mail jchnatur@smig.net for more information or to preregister.