Cedar Creek Tracking Workshop
In addition to our Cedar Creek Spring Wildlife Survey, we are delighted to announce an opportunity to join MWTP trackers for an afternoon tracking workshop and overnight stay in the bunkhouse.
Please watch this page for updates as we finalize details and costs. Registration will open by May 1.
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Cedar Creek Tracking Workshop
Friday, May 31
Late Afternoon/Evening [Times TBD]
Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve
2660 Fawn Lake Dr NE, East Bethel, MN 55005
Join certified trackers of the MWTP to learn the art and science of track and sign identification and interpretation. This program will introduce participants to common animals encountered along the sand roads of Cedar Creek. If you're new to tracking, or wish to build your confidence with track and sign identification, this is a great way to practice your skills ahead of Saturday's Wildlife Survey.
Overnight accommodations in the bunkhouse are available for workshop participants who stay for the Wildlife Survey.
About Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is a 5,400 acre experimental ecological reserve operated by the University of Minnesota. It is located in East Bethel, about 35 miles north of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Cedar Creek lies at the boundary between prairie and forest. It is a mosaic of uplands dominated by oak savanna, prairie, hardwood forest, pine forests, and abandoned agricultural fields and of lowlands comprised of ash and cedar swamps, acid bogs, marshes, and sedge meadows. The area was first set aside in the early 1940s to be kept in its natural condition for scientific and educational purposes. Much of the land remains pristine, and has never been developed for agriculture. You can learn more at www.cedarcreek.umn.edu
The diverse, pristine habitat supports a wide variety of mammals. Mammals seen on the property over the Reserve's 75 year history include white-tailed jackrabbits, badger, fisher, fox squirrels, porcupine & spotted skunks. Reserve staff and scientists are looking for our help to update their index of mammals. If you are a beginner, the surveys will offer an overview of the diversity of Minnesota Mammals. For the advanced tracker, you might get to try your hand at distinguishing fisher from otter; fox squirrel from grey squirrel; and a variety of tiny mammal tracks. You can take a look at some of what our tracking teams have found on our iNaturalist Project Page, or look read about our past surveys on our blog.
Public access to the Reserve is limited. The Cedar Creek Wildlife Survey program offers you the rare opportunity to explore this exceptional landscape.