The Friends of Tamarac are passionate about creating more opportunities for the youth and families of our local communities to make meaningful connections with nature.  Spending time in nature rejuvenates the spirit, inspires creativity and keeps us healthy.  Children today are too ‘plugged in’ and don’t even spend half the amount of time outdoors as their parents did as youth. This disconnect is a threat to the future of our wild places. This project will provide the path to make discoveries in the outdoors. We are devoted to developing the next generation of conservation stewards.  Help us continue to make meaningful connections with people and nature. Make a donation to the Tamarac Discovery Center. Full Story

Set the alarm. Grab the binoculars. Put on good walking shoes.

The Detroit Lakes area is in the heart of a transition zone of tall grass prairie, northern hardwood and coniferous ecosystems.  This brings more than 250 species of birds to Becker County, a birders’ paradise! 2013 Festival of Birds Program

The 16th annual Festival of Birds will be held in Detroit Lakes May 16-19, 2013.

The festival kicks off Thursday, May 16 with a festival favorite – Carrol Henderson. Through recent studies, Carrol will enlighten us about what effect the Gulf oil spill has had on migrating birds such as the Common Loon. Full Story

    

In recent years it seems more evident that the ability of teachers to get students interested in studying and learning has been a significant challenge.  However, Environmental Education programs afford a new way to enhance opportunities for students as well as teachers to make a connection between appreciating nature and linking it with their academic world.

Educators around the country in some innovative programs have helped to redesign curriculum in schools in order to meet their own state standards while at the same time organizing events and lesson plans around multi-disciplined themes based on the environment.  You might want to ask:  “Why themes or topics based on the environment?”   The basis for them is that children have a interest that is almost natural about the natural world that surrounds them daily.  Additionally, interested students become motivated students and this is a major step in fostering heightened academic performance in our young people. Full Story

Ice crack on the NE corner of Pine Lake. – Jim Sinclair

Amazing new photos have been added to the Spring Collection.  To submit photos to the collection send them to Mark Geihl. Email: mgeihl@gmail.com

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Students will enjoy a variety of experiences while working at Tamarac Refuge. Selected students may assist with wildlife surveys and waterfowl banding, participate in trail maintenance, perform invasive plant control, participate in native plant seed collection, complete general facilities maintenance, conduct water quality sampling and assist with other biological duties. This summer position starts in June continues through July. The starting level pay is approximately $7.25/hr. To qualify candidates must be between the ages of 15 and 18 and a student in good academic standing (a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher).  Applications are due by May 10.

• Youth Conservation Corp
• Application Form