Learn how animals handle winter Feb. 11

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 07, 2012

Learn how animals handle winter Feb. 11

Families are invited to join us from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 for “Cold Play,” a free Foothills Learning Center program about how birds and game animals adapt to the challenges of a harsh Idaho winter.

The free program is open to all ages; no pre-registration is required.

Compare the pelts of deer in summer and winter. Find out how animals are adapted to the changing seasons! Instructor Bill London of the Idaho Department of Fish & Game is an extraordinary teacher and storyteller. He will give presentations at 10:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the classroom.

Ongoing activities for kids include:

Snowshoe hare camouflage
Whose scat is this?
Ice cream cone bird feeders
Clothespin deer
Animal observation journals
Coloring sheets for the “wee ones”

We'll head out to search for animals and signs of tracks on “winter walkabouts,” which meet hourly starting at 10:30 a.m. outside the lobby.

February's Story Trail book is “Big Tracks, Little Tracks: Following Animal Prints.” Wander the trail with your youngster and read pages from the book posted on small platforms. The ¼-mile Story Trail starts at the northwest corner of the parking lot near the split rail fence.

The Foothills Learning Center, 3188 Sunset Peak Road, is located in Hulls Gulch Reserve north of downtown Boise. Take 8th Street through Boise’s North End and continue 1/3 mile past the end of the pavement. The building is located on the right beyond the trailhead parking lot.

For information, see the city's Boise Environmental Education website or call (208) 493-2530.

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