The monthly free tracking meetup in February will be at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. We will meet at the Sunset Amphitheater (37°54'57.21"N, 85°40'9.05"W) on Lake Nevin at 9am on Saturday. Please be aware that you want to look up directions to the front gate first. Sometimes directions try to take you through closed back areas of the forest. Keep in mind that you will need to pay a donation for parking if you are not a member at Bernheim.
I was treated to a tour of their stream restoration work recently that includes the volunteer work of their Beaver Brigade. They have a dam that has easily doubled in scope over only a year's worth of beaver work. I'm excited to see if it has increased in only the last few months.
Last year's tracking session brought muskrat burrows, otter middens, beaver dam and lodge (of course), predated turtle nests, walking bobcat tracks, walking deer, trotting coyote, bounding grey squirrel, grey squirrel chews and scat, and a red fox track that turned into a beaver hind track after a solid 5 minutes of puzzling over it. It's funny how animals can morph their feet like that.
This is a free, informal meetup for folks to look for and identify Track and Sign from wildlife. No experience is necessary. Everyone can engage at their own level. This will be all outdoors and there is often some off-trail walking. Wear appropriate clothes for the weather. I'm going to plan on bringing my muck boots. Rulers, flashlights, and track guides are useful but not necessary.
Also check out other Meetups in Clermont, Workshops in Clermont, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Clermont.
