O’Brien County Conservation is planning a great line-up of events to celebrate the annual multi-county Wings and Wetlands Festival.  Each year several northwest Iowa counties cooperate to celebrate the return of spring to Northwest Iowa.  All of the events in O’Brien County will take place on Saturday, May 11 this year.

Begin your day at 7:30 am with a light breakfast at the Prairie Heritage Center.  Then, hit the trail in search of migrating songbirds.  On a short walk to the river, over 30 different species can usually be counted.  The group will then carpool to Wanata Park in Peterson to add some woodland birds to their list.

At 11:00 am, come to the Prairie Heritage Center to take part in a “Cat Tail Weave.”  This event is next session in the “Nature’s Art” activities.  Participants will make a mat to take home as they learn about birds and other animals in the wetlands.

At 1:00 pm, take part in the “I’m Lichen It” program to investigate the colorful growth partners of algae and fungus found on rocks, trees, fence posts, buildings and more.

Finally at 4:30 pm, meet at the beach parking lot at Dog Creek Park for a “Cloud Picnic.”  Visit Iowa Tourism’s chosen location for the “99 Parks in 99 Counties Promotion.”  Bring a light snack or an early evening meal to enjoy as you kick back to survey cloud formations in the sky.

Join in one or all of these events in O’Brien County.  Need to know more?  Contact the O’Brien County Conservation Board at 712-295-7200.  For more information about activities in other counties contact the Conservation Boards in Clay and Palo Alto counties!