Long Lake Blog

February 14, 2011

2011-02-14T14:38:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day from Long Lake! I hope this post finds all well and taking advantage of this warm weather we have been getting. It seems as though I am getting into this once a month posting as it has been almost another month since my last one. Maybe with spring coming and things warming up, I will get more active as well and post more often. I am always amazed at Minnesota's weather and how quickly it can change. Last Wednesday we had a morning low of -27 and yet, Sunday we had a high of 50!! A temperature swing of unbelievable proportions. While the nice weather has been a welcome break from the cold we were getting, it has done a number on the snow causing it to settle quite a bit and soften it up. Still plenty around, but the quality is somewhat lacking at this point. With the big Fit City moonlight ski and snowshoe event coming this weekend, it would be nice to get a small shot of snow to freshen the trails up.
We have had several more groups in since the last time I posted. We said our goodbyes to the last of the Oak Point students at the end of January and since then have had a multitude of Catholic schools come from the central part of the state to visit us. At the end of this week, Paynesville middle school will be visiting us to partake in their annual Long Lake visit. The groups that have come during this time have enjoyed great winter activities from skiing and snowshoeing to building Quinzee's (snow caves) and playing Snow Snakes.
If our snow manages to stay and doesn't all disappear with the warm weather future schools will do the same. However if the snow all melts, the students will get opportunities to partake in other great classes.
I will sign off by letting you know our summer camps are all on the website now and we are taking applications for these spots. If you are looking for a great summer experience for your child, look no further than our summer camp programs. I also ask you to keep an eye on our event calendar on the web for upcoming events. We are hoping to have several great spring offerings for the public to come and enjoy LLCC. We would love to have you come and experience LLCC first hand, so don't wait come out and see us! Until next time, Todd

January 19th, 2011

2011-01-19T08:55:00.000-06:00

Hello from Long Lake. Yes, it has been over a month since I have posted on the blog! With the holidays and other things going on, I have been unable to find the time to give you an update on what's going on at LLCC. I apologize for that and will work to do better as we go into this New Year. I do hope your holidays were good ones and you had the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors on your own or with your family. This year has been an excellent one for people who love to snowshoe and cross-country ski. We continue to get ample amounts of snow to keep trails in good shape.
Schools have started once again making the trek to LLCC to participate in the Long Lake Experience. Last week we welcomed another group of Oak Point Intermediate students to Long Lake and this week St. Wenceslaus has joined us to take in the cold wintry weather and the fun activities that go with it.
I wanted to mention a couple of upcoming events we have going at LLCC. This weekend we will have a snowshoeing/cross country ski day here at LLCC. If you are interested in trying these great activities out, check out the website for more details on the event. It is open to the public and no pre-registration is necessary. Along with this, we will be having another event in February in conjunction with the Aitkin Fit City Committee. It is a night time luminary skiing and snowshoeing event that will be held here at LLCC. Again, please check out all the details on the events calendar on the website.
That's all I have for now, get out and enjoy the winter by taking hike, ski, or snowshoe and bring your binoculars or camera with as you never know what winter critters you are going to see!
Until next time-Todd

November 27- December 10

2010-12-10T10:23:00.000-06:00

Greetings from frosty Long Lake! I hope all of you started your holiday season off with a good Thanksgiving. As I said in my last post winter is here, but I didn't think it would come at us like it has. The temperatures have been downright chilly and it seems like it has snowed non-stop for the last two weeks. I am beginning to wonder if December got skipped and we went right to January!? Currently we have around 8" of snow on the ground here at Long Lake and they are predicting a another possible 4"-6" for this coming weekend. The bright side of all this snow early is our schools and others are getting a chance to cross- country ski and snowshoe.
The deer continue to show themselves around campus and one of the staff out with a group spotted a large porcupine in one of its winter haunts. Many winter birds are making there appearance at our feeders as well. This time also makes great opportunities for tracking with all of the snow. It is always fun to see what has been out and about and left its tracks behind to find.
We continue to have schools come to visit leading up to the Christmas break. In the last week or so, Dayton and Eden Prairie have sent students for their annual Long Lake Experience. They all enjoyed the snow and fun activities that come with it.
This is about all for now. Stay warm and enjoy the new winter wonderland around us! Until next time-Todd

November 16 - November 26

2010-11-23T15:06:00.000-06:00

Get your boots out and your shovel! That's right winter is here, even though it is still technically fall. Long Lake received its first snow about a week ago with most of it melting away. However, our winter friend was back yesterday giving us another 2-3" of the cool stuff. This is looking like just a little tune-up for what is to come by the looks of the forecast. At this point they are saying we could receive a good 6" if not more! I guess I will just have to break the snowshoes out a little earlier this year. The lake now has a layer of ice and snow on it and our large gathering of geese that had been hanging around left us about week ago when the first snow came and the lake started to freeze. Speaking of birds we did have some Hooded Mergansers visit us for a few days last week while the lake still had open water. We see them every year usually the first in the spring to show up on the lake and the last to bid us adieu in the fall. The male of this species is particularly pretty having a black head with a large white plume or "hood" on the top which they display in a large fan like pattern. Someone also spotted a pair of otters on the lake make their annual fall fishing trips to the lake before it freezes up. As you can see, even with the change of weather the wildlife sightings are still abundant. Each day is new and you never know what you will see while out and about.
Groups visiting the last week and half, were another group from St. Michael-Albertville and our own Rippleside Elementary from Aitkin. Each group had a great experience and we look forward to having them back again next year.
I want to take this time to wish all of you a safe and joyful Thanksgiving. May your turkey be done just right!
Until next time, Todd

October 25- November 15

2010-11-15T14:55:00.000-06:00

Hello from Long Lake! I thought I should put up a post to let you know how things are going here. When I looked at the last post date, I could not believe it had been that long since my last one! It seems like keeping up is turning into quite the challenge.
We were just starting to dry out from the heavy rains we received at the end of October (almost 4"), when we received our first snowfall this last weekend with about 3"-5" of wet,white stuff piling up on the ground. Most has melted at the time of this post and if we get any kind of sun it will all be gone. With the rain and snow combined, we have had one of our wettest falls in awhile. However, with the coming of the snow it reminded me winter is now almost upon us and it won't be long until the white is permanently around for awhile. Time to get out those X-country skis and snowshoes!
All of the Canada geese that were using the lake have now pretty much left on their journey south as a result of the recent storm and accompanying snow. I see today a small bunch were out on the lake, but for the most part they have departed. At one time we had up to 200 on the lake using it as a resting spot. Our resident beaver colony has gone into overdrive cutting trees down, some not in the best spots as they also continue to prepare for the long winter. I am thinking with their efforts being re-doubled in the last week or so, it won't be long before the lake is frozen over. They are some of the best meteorologists out there and are pretty good at knowing when their liquid playground is going to become a hard sheet of ice. The staff have been seeing deer on a regular basis on and around campus. A couple of large bucks were spotted with one large 10 pointer being seen just today right around the noon time hour. They are in the rut at this time, so they are very active right now. Another sign of a winter soon to be upon us has been the appearance of Evening Grosbeaks at Long Lake's feeders. They are always nice to see as the males with their beautiful yellow and black markings brighten the dull and drab landscape this time of year. Other animals and nature signs have been spotted almost every day by staff making it a great time to be outdoors, but then what day isn't a good time to be outdoors, right!?
While all of these nature events have been happening, St. Michael-Albertville Middle Schools have visited us and Guardian Angels of Chaska arrived today. We have enjoyed having them here during this time and I know students have been excited about the new and exciting things they did and saw while here. The Buffalo Crafters and Friends of W.Q.E groups also came in during this time to partake in their annual retreat here to Long Lake enjoying the time to quilt and visit with friends.
As I look out my office window at the glassy stillness of Long Lake with the white of snow on the ground, I want to take this time to wish all of you a save and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with friends and family and give thanks to the beautiful natural world around us. Until next time- Todd

October 4 - October 22, 2010

2010-10-21T14:56:00.000-05:00

Hello again from Long Lake! I have been remiss in my posting and as you can see I have failed to post in the last three weeks. It seems like time just gets away and the next thing you know several weeks have gone by!! The leaves here at the Center have all fallen and the trees are looking quite bare. Amazing how fast it went from the beautiful colors I spoke of in my last post, to bare trees. The tamaracks have all put on their deep golden hue as they prepare to drop needles. The beaver have become quite active these past weeks sensing the coming of colder weather and winter. They have been busy building up their lodge and adding branches of aspen to the ever growing food cache in front of the lodge. Even with it cooling off, the weather has been grand and our visiting groups have enjoyed it immensely during their visits to Long Lake.
The list of schools visiting continues to grow with St. Mary's (Alexandria), Minnewaska MS, and Clearwater MS visiting over the past couple of weeks. While they were here St. Mary's marked their 20th year and Clearwater their 30th! I want to congratulate both schools on making these milestones and thank them for their dedication to education and the environment over those years. LLSEW another fun weekend group visited us recently in early October with Lake Country Quilters staying with us this coming weekend. These two groups like others, come to enjoy the peace and beauty of LLCC while plying their craft.
Long Lake in partnership with the other RELC's has been working the last couple of years in a coalition known as "Today's leaders for a sustainable tomorrow" or TLFAST. Together we have sought funding from a variety of sources to help each center reduce its carbon footprint by adding renewable energy sources at each center and improving existing buildings to increase energy efficiency. As a part of this group, Long Lake has received funding as a part of a larger grant secured by the group to do this. LLCC is starting the process of adding several solar energy applications to the campus to help offset its use of propane and electricity. By adding these applications, LLCC will reduce its carbon footprint and save costs on energy bills. Along with this, a large curriculum is being developed to be used by all the centers to teach student and adult participants about the importance of reducing carbon footprints by living a more sustainable lifestyle. It is an exciting process and LLCC is just starting in on the design phase of the project to have its solar applications added to the campus facilities. I will keep you updated on this project as it moves through the process. It is just another way Long Lake can be a leader in educating about the importance of taking care of the environment and being good conservationists.
Before I go, I want to encourage all of you to get out and enjoy the natural world around you. A walk in the woods or your local park will refresh you. Try it you will see what I mean! Until next time-Todd

September 19 - October 1, 2010

2010-09-29T10:06:00.002-05:00

Greetings from LLCC! I hope all have been enjoying the beautiful colors of fall. This year has been truly spectacular in regards to colors. The reds, yellows, and oranges have been just breathtaking. I have never seen the crimsons I have seen this year on many of our maple trees here at the Center. Right now, I would say our colors are close to peak. Unfortunately, they are not lasting very long and we are starting to see them start to lessen. Another sign of fall was spotted today, with our annual fall visitor the otter making his appearance on the lake out in front of the beach. They are always fun to see and a more efficient fisherman you will not find anywhere!!
These last two weeks have marked the arrival of several more schools visiting Long Lake. Hill-Murray, St. Katharine-Drexel and Earle Brown have all made their trips here to take part in programming and experience the sights and smells of fall. We were also visited by two of our weekend crafting groups with The Stitchery coming last weekend and W.O.W coming this weekend. These ladies come to enjoy the beauty and serenity of LLCC, while taking part in one of their favorite past times quilting!
That's about all for now. I do want to remind you to keep your eye on our event calendar on the website, so you do not miss out on any events you may want to participate in here at LLCC. I will leave you with this shot of the fall colors here at Long Lake, enjoy- Todd

Week of September 13-17, 2010

2010-09-14T09:39:00.001-05:00

Well, it has been a couple of weeks since I posted, so I have already not been able to keep up with my original commitment to do a weekly post! It must be this beautiful early fall weather getting in the way. The weather indeed has been beautiful and the colors are starting to come in with the first signs of red, oranges, and yellows appearing on the trees here at Long Lake. We had around 80-150 Canada geese using the lake for the last two weeks, keeping us company with there loud calls and music they make. It is indeed music, if you have ever heard them talk they are truly beautiful to listen to them. I enjoy hearing them best in those quiet early morning hours or just as dusk is coming on when the air is crisp and calm. Ahh, but I am getting off task.... back to talking about what has been happening here at Long Lake!
LLCC recently hosted the Minnesota Astronomy Society's 2nd annual Northern Nights Star Fest. Participants arrived on Thursday with others arriving on Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate the first two evenings with rain and cloud cover making viewing a washout. However, there were several outstanding guest speakers from the U of M who gave some really good presentations on Astronomy and related topics about our heavenly skies. This helped keep people upbeat and Saturday evening turned out to be a great with everyone getting a great night of viewing in. Everyone enjoyed their time at Long Lake and when not engaged in astronomy, they took advantage of Long Lake and did some hiking, photography, or a canoe trip on the lake. We are looking forward to having the 3rd annual next year, so if you are interested in partaking in this great event make sure to check out our upcoming events on the website in August next year. We will also be hosting more public viewing evenings in the future as well, so stay tuned!
Last week marked our first schools of the year coming in to take part in Long Lake's programs. Aitkin, Hill City, McGregor, and Scandia schools all came to participate and enjoy Long Lake.
I also need to introduce our new group of Seasonal Naturalists to everyone. They started with us back on August 30th and will be here with us through the school year until June. Two of the three Andrea Fierst and Melanie Muske have worked with Long Lake in the past with Moira Hough coming to us for the first time. Andrea and Melanie hail from Minnesota, while Moira joins us from New York. We are excited to have them with us for the year. We also have a new Naturalist joining us on staff this year as well. Erin O'Brien comes to us with a background in Elementary Education and Outdoor Education. We are excited about having her join our staff as well. Don't hesitate to check out their profiles in our staff directory to learn more about them and what they enjoy doing.
In ending, I want to remind everyone we will be having a photography class coming up here at LLCC. Check out the upcoming events calendar on the website for all the details. Until next time, enjoy the outdoors!

Welcome to Long Lake's Blog

2010-08-25T11:22:00.000-05:00

I want to start off by saying greetings! If you are reading this, then you have logged on to Long Lake's new feature on the website our blog.
I am hoping to be able to use the blog as a way of getting current information out to all the users who come on this site and check out what is going on. With changes here at LLCC, it is not as easy to get out a newsletter as it once was and this will provide a vehicle to keep everyone updated as to what is going on here at the Center. I will try to put on weekly updates if there is new information to share with all of LLCC's followers.
As with any blog, if you are interested you will be able to sign and register on the blog to make comments or reply to recent posts put on. It is my hope this blog will allow a more interactive connection with LLCC and what is happening in the world of conservation and environmental education.

Long Lake recently just completed its annual summer camps with youth coming over a five week period to participate in the various camps we offer each year. All the youth attending enjoyed the different camps and I believe went away with a better appreciation for the natural world and conservation.

The Long Lake Conservation Foundation on August 15th, held its 5th annual Golf Tournament. The event was once more held at the Minnesota National Golf Course. A total of nine teams participated and enjoyed a beautiful day out on the course. The weather was sunny and cool making wonderful playing conditions. After the golf, all participants were treated to a very nice "build your own sandwich" buffet. Prizes were awarded to winning teams and each team had opportunities to win a variety of different prizes by participating in a variety of games and drawings at each golf hole. Along with this, a small silent auction was held and the foundation held their annual raffle for cash prizes. The Friends of Long Lake volunteers did a wonderful job of helping run the event and many thanks go out to them. Overall, everyone had a wonderful time while raising over six thousand dollars to help support Long Lake Conservation Center. Long Lake Conservation Foundation will be hosting the 6th annual event next year, so if you are interested in participating please watch for updates here and on the website.

Long Lake has also been working in association with the Aitkin Soil and Water Conservation District, on a rain garden project here at the Center. We just recently had the rain garden formed and shaped and are now in the stages of planning what to plant in the garden to best take advantage of the water that will be collected. The rain garden will collect storm water run-off from surrounding paths, as well as run-off from the Marcum House dormitory. The goal is once the rain garden is done, to put on workshops for the public to come and see and learn how easy it is to build a rain garden themselves to help reduce erosion and better conserve our environment by taking advantage of that run-off.

As a final note, our school year program will soon be starting with some of our first schools arriving in early September. The staff here at LLCC are all looking forward to seeing the students and staff when they arrive to experience the wonders of Long Lake this fall. Until next time, Todd