KINGMAN EXPLORERS
We had a great time exploring the Islands with our young Explorers and our grownup Explorers this fall. We are so grateful we had the opportunity to get muddy with all of you. We are taking a break from gathering in person at this time, but we want to keep the excitement for exploration alive over the winter months. Each week, check this space for a new Kingman Explorers assignment! Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area is open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset, and your family can explore any day.
Just remember, share your observations with a friend, ask questions, think like a scientist!
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Kingman Explorers are very good at making observations, so you may have already noticed that it snowed this week! This week, as you explore the Islands, look for tracks in the snow and try to make a guess about what kind of creature made it. Think about the shapes of feet and tails. Look at the places where the snow has already melted and the places where there is still snow and try to figure out why the snow remains in some places but not others. What animals can you see that are still moving around in the cold snow?
#KingmanExplorers #KingmanIsland Keep exploring!
JANUARY 20, 2021
With the leaves off the trees, winter is a good time to search for nests, Kingman Explorers! Birds usually only rest in their nests when they have eggs to keep warm, but a well-built nest will remain in a tree or bush for months or even years after their eggs have hatched and the birds have moved elsewhere. Take a walk around Kingman and Heritage Islands to look for empty nests. When you find a nest, take a close look and try to figure out what it is made of. What materials are natural and what materials are human-made? Do any of the materials surprise you? What do you notice about the location of the nest? Is it high up in a tree, in a bush, near water? If you can find another nest, compare the two. Do you think the same kind of bird made both nests? #KingmanExplorers #KingmanIsland Keep exploring!
JANUARY 13, 2021
This week, you will need to bring a notepad and a pencil or anything else you like to use for drawing. With your family, find a tree on Kingman or Heritage Islands that you find interesting. Because it is winter, most trees are bare and you can see the shape of their branches more easily. Make a sketch of your tree, and describe your tree with as much detail as you can. Draw and/or write enough information about your tree that you would be able to come back and find it again. What does it smell like? What does the bark feel like? Can you hear any birds or other sounds nearby? What do you notice about the tree when you look up close? When you observe it from far away? If you want to add a map to your notes with other landmarks, draw this too. Think like a scientist! Save your notebook and see if you can find your tree again in the spring. If your grownup Explorers want to share the pictures of your sketches on social media, use #KingmanIsland and #KingmanExplorers. Keep exploring!
DECEMBER 23, 2020
This week, Explorers, walk the trail around Heritage Island, looking for evidence of beavers. Beavers are semiaquatic rodents who use their very strong teeth to take down trees to build their homes. They have thick fur, webbed feet, and flat tails. Look for signs that beavers are around. Can you find foot prints in the mud? drag marks from their tails? trees with teeth marks? If you have binoculars, can you see any evidence of a beaver lodge or see any beavers? Share what you learn with your friends. If your grownup Explorers want to share the pictures on social media, use #KingmanIsland and #KingmanExplorers. Keep exploring!