Winter Webinar Series
The Friends of Sax-Zim Bog are excited to be offering webinars this winter season! Webinars will be held on Thursdays, starting at 6:30 pm. Registration for these programs is required, but all webinars are free to attend. If you have questions about this series, please contact webinar instructor and Head Naturalist Clinton by email at naturalist@saxzim.org.
Thursday, December 10
Introduction to the Sax-Zim Bog
6:30- 8:00 pm
The Sax-Zim Bog is a well-known bird watching location in the winter. Boreal species like Great Gray Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Boreal Chickadee are residents and easiest to find during the winter. Pine Grosbeak, Common and Hoary Redpolls, Northern Shrike, and Northern Hawk Owl attract visitors as they winter in the “Arctic Riviera.” Outside of birds, how much do most folks know about this place? Do you know the origins of the name Sax-Zim Bog? Where are the best places to find orchids?
If you wanted to learn more about the Sax-Zim Bog and the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, this webinar is for you! This talk will cover the basics of what makes that Sax-Zim Bog so special, answer some basic questions visitors may have, and introduce you to the Winter Webinar Series.
Register for this program here: December 10 Webinar
Thursday, December 17
Geology of the Sax-Zim Bog
6:30- 8:00 pm
Maybe geology is not the primary interest of most visitors who come to the Sax-Zim Bog. As Head Naturalist, geology is often the last thing I am considering when showing off the Sax-Zim Bog to visitors. However, without a few major geologic events, the Sax-Zim Bog would not exist!
If you have wanted to broaden your understanding of this region, this program will help give an understanding of the Sax-Zim Bog from the literal ground up. This program will investigate and introduce the basics of Minnesota’s diverse geology in the context of the Sax-Zim Bog, all the way from bedrock formation to peatlands!
Register for this program here: December 17 Webinar
Thursday, December 31
Sax-Zim BogDiversity
6:30- 8:00 pm
Birds are often the interest of most visitors to the Sax-Zim Bog. However, an increasing number of visitors are interested in the broader biodiversity of the Sax-Zim Bog, especially during the summer months. The Sax-Zim Bog Master Species List is ever growing, currently over 2300 species! This program will consider the full biodiversity found in the Sax-Zim Bog, with special attention to those species that are of highest interest to visitors: butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, and wildflowers, though all species will get attention in this talk.
Register for this program here: December 31 Webinar
Thursday, January 14
Winter Birds and Birding: How to enjoy the “Arctic Riviera”
6:30- 8:00 pm
If you take a look at the FAQ’s section of our website, you will see many questions related to winter birding: What clothing is appropriate for birding in the winter? Do I need a 4×4 vehicle to bird in the winter? How do I find winter birds? This list goes on!
This program is perfect for those first time visitors wondering: how do I prepare for winter in northern Minnesota? This program will also consider our winter birds, giving tips on how to find them in the vast Sax-Zim Bog. Whether this is your 1st visit or your 15th visit, you will get a better idea of what to expect when birding the Sax-Zim Bog during the winter.
Register for this program here: January 14 Webinar
Thursday, January 28
Trailside Tracks and Animal Sign
6:30- 8:00 pm
Our boardwalks and trail system are attracting visitors in all season. Human visitors and animals both use our trails to explore and experience the Sax-Zim Bog in an easy manner. Have you noticed an odd track or mark on a tree along one of our trails? What about those piles of broken down cones, who makes those?
This program will hope to give a good idea of the common animal sign and tracks that you could see along the boardwalks and trails in the Sax-Zim Bog. Winter is great time to interpret what is happening in the forest, as there are clues everywhere!
Register for this program here: January 28 Webinar
Thursday, February 11
Citizen Science and Research in the Sax-Zim Bog
6:30- 8:00 pm
Every year, we like to give updates on our Bog Blog about the progress of Citizen Science and Research endeavors that have been completed each season. At any one time we might be surveying Golden-winged Warblers, Owls, or supporting organizations or individuals researching specific species in the Sax-Zim Bog. iNaturalist and eBird are both used frequently by visitors and can be important tools for visitors hoping to learn more about the biodiversity in an area.
This program will review the different citizen science and research projects happening in the Sax-Zim Bog. We will also give a quick tutorial on how to use iNaturalist for those hoping to engage with Citizen Science in your area and beyond!
Register for this program here: February 11 Webinar
Thursday, February 25
Sax-Zim Bog Property Tour!
6:30- 8:00 pm
There are a number of ways to enjoy the Sax-Zim Bog during all seasons: hiking or snowshoeing, bird watching, finding spiders or wildflowers, or simply just enjoying the majesty of Black Spruce and Tamarack peatlands. Our mission as an organization is to preserve, promote, and protect the Sax-Zim Bog through land preservation, education, research, and communication. Part of the way we address our mission is by buying properties that help preserve this wonderful area.
Currently, we have protected 524 acres of habitat divided between 8 properties. Have you visited all of our properties? If you have not, this program will talk about each of our properties: how we acquired them, what you might find if you visit them, and how to visit and experience these properties for yourself!
Register for this program here: February 25 Webinar
Thursday, March 11
Owls in Northeastern Minnesota
6:30- 8:00 pm
March is usually when our Evening Owl Program is scheduled, as owl activity starts to increase, with nesting season right around the corner for a number of species. Even though we cannot have an in-person program this year, we will still have our Owl Program in March!
If you have wanted to learn more about owls in Minnesota, owls in the Sax-Zim Bog, or you simply just like owls, this program is for you! We will talk about owl diversity in Minnesota, investigate some neat owl adaptations, and talk about the diversity of owls in the Sax-Zim Bog!
Register for this program here: March 11 Webinar
Thursday, March 18
Enjoying Sax-Zim Bog in all seasons: Spring and Summer Strategies!
6:30- 8:00 pm
March sees the departure of many of our winter species, like Pine Grosbeak, Rough-legged Hawk, and redpolls. This leaves a full month or more waiting for green grass and blooming flowers. Why not take advantage of this period of inaction by planning a visit for the Spring or Summer!
This program will round out our Winter Webinar series by thinking ahead to May and beyond, helping you choose the best time to visit the Sax-Zim Bog if you are interested in bugs, birds, or plants. We hope to answer questions like: When can I visit with the least amount of mosquitoes or flies? Can I still find birds in June? What is the best time visit to find butterflies? All of this and more will be answered through this webinar.
Register for this program here: March 18 Webinar
**NOTE: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we will not be conducting in person field trips this year. In the meantime, you can join us virtually through online webinars below or by viewing our videos from the bog.**
Directions to Welcome Center on Owl Avenue
Though the Welcome Center is closed this winter, the trails around the Welcome Center and the boardwalks at Warren Nelson Memorial Bog, Winterberry Bog, and Fringed Gentian Bog are open to hike and get some fresh air. Thanks and Happy Hunkering!
**Also marked on our Birding Map
Directions from Cotton, MN on US53…
*Go West from Cotton on CR52/Arkola for 11 miles
*Turn South (left) on Owl Avenue
*Go 1.75 miles (second curve) to Welcome Center
Directions from Meadowlands, on CR133…
*Go East on CR133 to CR229/29
*Turn North (left) on CR229/29
*Go North to T at Correction Line Rd
*Turn West (left) on Correction Line Rd
*Road curves North and becomes Owl Ave
*Go North on Owl Avenue for 2.5 miles to Welcome Center
Friends of Sax-Zim Bog is continuing to build and offer diverse programming for all of the seasons! If you have questions about programs, field trips, naturalist hikes, or workshops, please contact Head Naturalist Clinton via email at naturalist@saxzim.org. Contact Sarah info@saxzim.org about membership questions.