Development Coordinator

Though the dipping temperatures and shortening daylight may tempt some of us to partake in our own form of hibernation, these winter months are the perfect time to enjoy Carpenter Nature Center. Wildlife abounds, both high and low. Resident and migratory bald eagles congregate around the frozen St. Croix River. Closer to the ground you can follow delicate tracks across the prairie. Clear your mind with a hike on our 20 miles of trails and experience winter in pine, bluff, prairie, and woodland habitats. Come walk on your own during our open hours or check out the upcoming activities below.

Please be aware that Carpenter Nature Center’s Minnesota Campus will CLOSED on December 25 and January 1. Trails in Wisconsin will still be open for your enjoyment.

END OF YEAR GIVING CHALLENGE UPDATE Earlier this fall Jeff and Stacy Carlson of Hastings set a challenge for those who support CNC. If $10,000 could be raised in end-of-year gifts, then the Carlson’s would donate a bonus gift to CNC of $2,000. On November 23, CNC friends and donors helped us surpass that goal by raising $12,242. Thank you to everyone who was able to help and to the Carlsons for their continued generosity and support of CNC!

Their generosity doesn’t end there. Upon hearing the news of how quickly our donors were able to meet the goal, with time still left before the December 31st deadline, the Carlsons offered to make ADDITIONAL BONUS GIFTS if we are able keep up the momentum with end of year giving. Our new goals are: $15,000 raised = $1,000 bonus gift $20,000 raised = $2,000 bonus gift in addition to previous bonus gifts $25,000 raised = $5,000 bonus gift in addition to previous bonus gifts To participate in the challenge, and to check on our progress visit our website at: https:// carpenternaturecenter. org/challenge-match/ CARPENTER’S HOLIDAY WISHLIST As you are wrapping up (or just starting) your holiday shopping, please consider supporting CNC by adding an extra item from the Carpenter Nature Center Holiday Wish List to your basket. Included in this list are our staff’s “mostwished- for” items that will help us maintain our apple orchard, provide fun learning opportunities for visitors, and keep our animal ambassadors healthy and warm throughout the year. In-kind donations like these are incredibly helpful, as they allow us to save money, and to direct more funds to keeping our sites open and accessible, as well as protecting native habitat. If you do decide to purchase something, be sure to include your name in the “message” portion of the order, so we know who the item is from. Thank you for thinking of us during this season of giving.

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES With current restriction on gatherings in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we have decided to postpone our previously advertised December programs. Instead we are offering these outdoor based, socially distant activities this month.

Preschool Story Time: Winter Weather December 18-23 Even though we are not able to meet in person for our monthly story time, preschoolers and their adults can come to the Nature Center for their own Winter Weather exploration. We will have materials available for you to do some activities outside at the Nature Center, looking for clues on how the plants and animals adapt for winter, and also a take home craft. The supplies will be available from December 18 – 23 during our open hours 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. There is no fee but donations will be accepted. The Visitor Center building is currently closed but restrooms will be available. Please call ahead at 651-437-4359 to let us know what day you will be coming and we will tell you where to pick up the supplies.

New Year’s Eve Candlelight Hike

December 31 5:00 – 9:00 pm Welcome in the New Year with your family bubble by taking a walk on the candlelit paved trail on the St. Croix River bluff. Reservations are required and space is limited. We are staggering the start times with a limited number of people at each time to provide for social distancing. Please wear your face mask for checkin and when you might be closer than 6 feet to others that are not in your group. Restrooms will be available but the Visitor Center will be closed. There is no fee but donations will be accepted. Please call 651-437-4359 to sign up for a time slot.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a recreational activity known for its accessibility and rustic simplicity. All you need is a pair of snowshoes, warm clothes, and a sense of adventure. Snowshoeing can be enjoyed at both our Minnesota and Wisconsin campuses. Bring your own snowshoes or rent them from CNC’s Minnesota Campus. Rentals are $5/person for a two-hour period, or FREE for our ‘Friends of CNC.’ 6+” of snow required. Call ahead to (651)-437-4359 so that we know you are coming.

THE FROSTY 40

Celebrate Carpenter Nature Center’s 40th Anniversary by participating in the “Frosty 40”- a winter challenge to walk, run, snowshoe, or cross country ski 40 miles in 40 days. Choose your own 40day schedule between January 1st and March 20th. This event is a great way for families and individuals to get outside and exercise, all while supporting a wonderful cause.

Registration is $40 for adults and $20 for K-12 youth. This fee includes registration costs, a donation, and a t-shirt. All proceeds support environmental education programming and habitat conservation. For more information and to register visit: https://carpenternaturecenter. org/frosty-forty.

SCIENCE BITE: SNOWFLAKES ARE ONE IN A MILLION written by Abbey Holden, Naturalist It’s true what they say – every snowflake is unique! It is amazing to think that a mass of falling snow could be made up of millions of individually shaped ice crystals. The life of a snowflake begins when a water droplet connects with a dust particle some 0.5-1.5 miles above the earth’s surface. The dust particle provides a base for the water to adhere and form its crystalline shape.

The shape of a snowflake is determined by a combination of humidity and temperature. Although these conditions are slightly different for each snowflakes journey, they will all form a hexagonal, 6-sided, shape. This is because of the molecular structure of water. We are all familiar with H2O, the water molecule. The combination of one large Oxygen atom and two smaller Hydrogen atoms creates a “Mickey Mouse” shape. When combined with other freezing water molecules, the available connections form a hexagon.

Scientists have categorized distinct snowflake structures into plates and columns. These two categories are then divided into subcategories. One of the most well-recognized snowflakes are known as dendrites. These are the fluffy, branching flakes that children often recreate in art class. Large, floating dendrites enchant us every winter and form best when the temperature is closest to freezing for the snowflakes entire trip to earth. This allows for more ice crystals to adhere to the snowflake forming ever more intricate branches. When snowflakes hit a patch of warm air they can turn into sleet or freezing rain. If the air temperature is too cold, flakes will be smaller and can even form solid plates or columns with less detail. For more info on the different types of snowflakes, visit this link.

So the next time you enjoy a snow-covered winter landscape, think about how that beauty extends to each individual snowflake itself.

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Looking for a stunning, one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one? Consider purchasing a piece of work from one of the Carpenter Art Festival artists! Whether you’re looking for a painting, woodwork, jewelry, artisan soap, pottery, sculpture, fiber art, stained glass, or photography, our artists have something for you. CNC staff are busy compiling these artists profiles into a directory on our website. Visit https:// carpenternaturecenter.org/carpenter- art-festival/ to sign up for notifications and view the directory.

APPLE SHACK SEASON SUMMARY A big THANK YOU to everyone who supported us this autumn by purchasing items from the CNC Apple Shack. Despite the many challenges this year, including an early freeze, we enjoyed a successful season. Orchard staff and volunteers picked more than 20,600 pounds of apples during the season, including 334 pounds of our newest apple variety, First Kiss. Our loyal customers were able to help us generate over $42,700 in apple sales. That’s not including sales from pies, cider, syrup, or salsas. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you all again next Fall!

Carpenter Nature Center is a community asset because of the many wonderful people involved at all levels throughout its history. Thank you for helping keep nature and environmental education a vital part of our children’s lives, and for helping keep Carpenter Nature Center open to the public 361 days a year.