Candlelight Ski and Owl Prowl set at Rydell NWR
The Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association will host a Candlelight Ski and Owl Prowl event from 4:45 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, 17788 349th St. S.E., Erskine, Minn.
The timing of the event coincides with a full moon and hopefully good snow conditions, clear skies and moderate temperatures. The refuge Visitor Center will be open throughout the event.
Though all five of the refuge’s trails will be open for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, Golden Pond and Church Lake trails will be groomed and lighted. Luminaries will be distributed along the two trails, but it is recommended that visitors bring a headlamp if they have one in case it is cloudy with minimal moonlight.
Multiple owl calling stations will be set up along the trails, where the calls of several owl species, such as saw whet, barred and great horned, will be projected into the woods to try to generate a response. Several pairs of adult and child-size skis, as well as snowshoes, will be available for visitors to use.
If temperatures are below zero or wind chills are in the double-digits below zero, the event will be canceled and potentially rescheduled.
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For more information, contact Lisa Wiersma at (218) 687-2229 ext. 10 or lisa_wiersma@fws.gov.
-- Herald staff report
Snowshoe Lacing Workshop on tap Jan. 18 at Rydell NWR
The Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association will host a Snowshoe Lacing Workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 17788 349th St. SE, Erskine, Minn.
Class participants will learn how to lace their own pair of Ojibwa-style snowshoes and work at their own pace with provided instructions and friendly presenters to assist along the way. Registration is required by Friday, Jan. 3, and class size is limited to 12 participants.
For more information and a registration form, contact Lynda Knutsen at (218) 689-4320 or lynda_knutsen@fws.gov.
-- Herald staff report
