Self-guided Interpretive Walk: Tracking Mammal Activity in Winter

From March 15th-31st, interpretive panels will temporarily be on display along the Homestead Trail.  As you walk along the trail, you’ll see 20 different signs about learning to distinguish mammal tracks in late winter and early spring — which can be in snow, mud, or sand!  Information about other signs of mammal activity is included as well.  The interpretive trail begins at the kiosk just beyond the island gate, and extends along the Homestead Trail to the field next to the old homestead foundation, covering approximately half a mile.  This time of year the trail may be snowy, icy, or wet and muddy, so please remember appropriate footwear and take it easy as you leave your own tracks along the trail!

The majority of the text and many of the photos used in this self-guided interpretive nature walk were borrowed from a slideshow presentation Sandra Mitchell gave for FOSI several years ago about learning to read animal tracks.  While we have supplemented some information and stock photography, we deeply appreciate Sandra giving us permission to recycle her material and sharing her knowledge and photos with us!  Sandra Mitchell is a naturalist and nature photographer who has led many programs for FOSI over the years.  To learn more about her and see her work, visit https://sandra-mitchell.com/.