HARTMAN RESERVE
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      • FROSTY BUNS RACE SERIES
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      • UNDER THE HARVEST MOON
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      • FOREST BATHING
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      • 2ND SUNDAY SPEAKER SERIES
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    • BRICKS FOR BIRDS
    • Photography Contest
    • DONATE
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    • INTERNSHIPS
click Here: More resources on our YouTube Channel!
Click here: Weekly Digital Nature Packs

Week 1: Backyard Birding

Bird Watching/Identify/Biology
  • Beginning Birding: [video]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ridajl8uic0&feature=youtu.be
  • Migratory Birds [video] (Grades K-3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLzprmI1l20
  • Birding by Ear: https://handbookofnaturestudy.com/2013/02/outdoor-hour-challenge-birding-by-ear.html/
  • Birding activities for kids (all ages): https://www.audubon.org/get-outside/activities/audubon-for-kids
  • Bird-focused lesson plans (all ages): https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/
  • Lifelong Learning Birding courses: https://bit.ly/3aBSio3
  • All about birds (biology): https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/features/birdanatomy/
  • Bird Mystery! (5-8th Grade): http://btc.montana.edu/sciencemystery/
  • Urban Birding by Ear: http://www.urbanbirdsounds.org/UBSP_website/Urban_Bird_Sounds_Project.html
  • Woodpeckers: Carpenters of the Bird World (Learners of all ages) [Iowa Public Radio audio and activities]
​Bird Feeding
  • What to plant to attract birds https://www.audubon.org/news/use-your-zip-code-attract-brilliant-birds-your-yard-spring?fbclid=IwAR1aEfRNviEgZ8xRBNtDdLChIZJxHss-mabkH67UjAplqlVnvU-9weaDEls
  • Wine Bottle Bird Feeder: https://thechickenstreet.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/wine-bottle-bird-feeder/
  • Hummingbird Nectar Recipe: https://www.audubon.org/news/how-make-hummingbird-nectar
Helping birds
  • Birds & Gardening Lesson plans (6-8th Grade): https://kidsgardening.org/lesson-plan-birds-garden-ecosystem/
  • Bird-focused lesson plans (all ages): https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/
  • Ways to help birds: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/get-involved/10-ways-to-help-birds/
  • Citizen Science opportunities: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/citizenscience
Local Groups/Resources
  • Prairie Rapids Audubon Society: www.gopras.org
  • Find local birds (check local hotspots): www.ebird.org
  • Iowa Young Birders: www.iowayoungbirders.org
  • Iowa Ornithologist Union: www.iowabirds.org
  • Iowa-centric Birding Facebook Groups:
    • Iowa Birding
    • Iowa Young Birders
    • Iowa Ornithologists' Union
    • Iowa Bird Photography
    • Owl About Iowa
Just for Fun
  • ​John J. Audubon's Birds of America - Each print is also available as a free high-resolution download.

Week 2: Plants & Pollinators

Identification/Biology​
  • "Bug Hunt" by Tom Story [video of story being read] (Ages 4-6): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nL7On2gBkw
  • Life of a Butterfly [video] (Grades K-3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM71jKNuk-M
  • How a plant functions [video] (Grades K-3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3St51F4kE8
  • Parts of flower and pollination [video] (Grades K-3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djPVgip_bdU
  • Plant Excretion/Byproducts [video] (Grades 1-5): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V44QlrTs7Mo
  • All about Insects [video] (Grades 2-5): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJlfBNyBKQA
  • Flower Dissection [video] (Grade 4+): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=493WeySyf-8
  • Plant Terminology (Grades 8+): https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/ecoph30.htm
  • Nat'l Park Service Bee Week Curriculum (Middle School): https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pollinators/upload/FINALBee-Week.pdf
  • Bee ID Guide (Note: This is for Missouri but many of these species are also found in IA): https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/MOBeeGuide.pdf
  • US Forest Service - Just for Kids (all ages): https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/kids/index.shtml
Helping Pollinators/Native Plants
  • Planning a Pollinator Garden lesson plans (Grades 4-8): https://kidsgardening.org/lesson-plans-planning-a-pollinator-garden/
  • General Kids Plants & Gardening lesson plans (Grade K-8): https://kidsgardening.org/lesson-plans
  • Bumblebee Watch Citizen Science: https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/
  • Gardening for Pollinators: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/gardening.shtml
  • Pollinator Friendly Practices: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/friendlypractices.shtml
  • The Nature Conservancy - Midwest Pollinators
Local Groups/Resources
  • Iowa-centric pollinator/native plants Facebook Groups:
    • Iowa Wildflower Report
    • Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs
    • Monarchs of Eastern Iowa
    • Iowa Prairie Network​
    • Backyard Abundance
    • The Nature Conservancy in Iowa
Just for Fun
  • Blooming Flowers Time lapse [video]
  • Recipe: Dandelion Donuts [video]
  • PBS Nature: Watch a Butterfly Swarm [video] 
  • Story of Flowers: A botanical animation [video]

 Week 3: Backyard Buddies (Mammals)

Identification/Biology​
  • ​Backyard Mammals​ [video] (Grades 1-5)
  • National Geographic Kids: Raccoons [video] (Grades 1-5)
  • National Geographic Kids: Bats [video] (Grades 1-5)
  • National Geographic Kids: Recording Chipmunks [video] (Grades 3-6)
  • Iowa Bats
  • UNI Springtime Segments: All about Bats PDF 
  • Top 7 Amazing Opossum Facts [video]
  • Can you name all of these backyard animals? [game] (Ages PreK-3): ​ http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/kidscorner_games.htm
  • Rabbits vs. Hares: Remarkable Rabbits [video] (Grades K-3)
  • PBS Learning: Opossums [video] (Grades 5-12+)
Helping Backyard Mammals​​
  • Bat Box building plans
  • UNI Springtime Segment: How to build a bat house [video]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbDm0ll6eu8
  • How to tell if baby animals are orphaned, injured, or perfectly fine.
Local Groups/Resources
  • Iowa-centric mammal Facebook Groups:
    • ​IOWA Critters ​
Just for Fun
  • Outdoor camera catches groundhog raiding a garden :-) (All ages) [video]

Week 4: Amazing Amphibians

Identification/Biology
  • Amphibians [Video] (Grades 3-5)
  • Frogs and Toads of Iowa 
  • Differences in Iowa Toads by appearance and sound
  • From Egg to Frog in 7 Weeks [Video] 
  • From Egg to Salamander in 11 Weeks [Video] 
Helping Amphibians
  • Iowa Outdoors: Frog Call Monitoring [Video]
Local Groups/Resources
Iowa-centric amphibians Facebook Groups:
  • Reptiles and Amphibians of Iowa
  • Midwest Snakes Turtles Lizards Frogs Salamanders Reptiles
Just for Fun​
  • ​Make Froggy Bread! (Adult supervision)
  • Toad makes waves with its song

Week 5: Little Bitty Babies

Identification/Biology
  • Learn the names of baby animals of the forest [animated video] (Grades PreK-2)
  • Baby animal names from A to Z (All ages)
  • Hartman Reserve Nestling Naturalist program 5/21/20 [video, story, activity] (Ages 2-5)
Helping Animal Babies
  • How to tell if baby animals are orphaned, injured, or perfectly fine.
Local Groups/Resources
 
​ Just for Fun​
  • ​Cute baby animals Kitten, hedgehog, opossum, bunnies, and more! [video] (All ages!)
  • Pip: A Short Animated Film [video] (All ages!)

Week 6: To Infinity & Beyond: Space and Weather

Identification/Ologies
  • United States Geological Survey (USGS) (Grades 7 - Adult) Cool maps, videos, photos of Mars' surface, webcams, and more!
  • NASA: Space Place (Grades 5+) Space and Earth science interactive games, hands-on learning, play, and more!
  • To Scale: The Solar Systems [video] (Grades 5+)
  • Solar System 101 | National Geographic [animated video] (Grades 4+)
  • Earth 101 | National Geographic [video] (Grades 4+)
  • Space Compilation: Crash Course Kids [video] (Grades 6+) Includes constellations.
  • Exploring Our Solar System: Planets and Space for Kids [video] (Grades 3+)
  • SOLAR SYSTEM - The Dr. Binocs Show [animated video] (Grades 1-4)
  • Weather Current Events: Crash Course Kids [video] (Grades 4+)
  • Weather Channels: Crash Course Kids [video] (Grades 4+)
  • Severe Weather: Crash Course Kids [video] (Grades 3+)
  • Fly Guy Presents Weather [book video] (Grades 1-3)
  • Weather|National Geographic Kids [book video] (Grades K-3) Quiz and weather jokes included. :-D
  • What to Do in Severe Weather: FEMA [video] (Grades K-3)
Local Groups/Resources/Facebook pages 
  • US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa
Just for Fun
  • Real images of the Planets (Grades 3 - Adult) [video and images]
  • ​Outer Space: "We are the Planets," The Solar System Song by StoryBots | Netflix Jr [animated video] (Grades 3+)
  • Weather Song for kids | "Sun, Rain, Wind, and Snow" [animated song] (Ages 2-5)

Week 7: Fantastic Fishes

Identification/Biology
  • Iowa State DNR (Ages 9 - Adult) Identify Iowa fish species.
  • Iowa Association of Naturalists: Iowa Fish (Ages 9 - Adult) Types of Iowa fish, living environments, etc.
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Environmental Education Resources (All Grades)
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service Junior Ranger Let's Go Fishing! (Grades 3-7) 
Local Groups/Resources/Facebook pages
  • Iowa State DNR (Ages 9 - Adult) Fishing tips and how to, buy a fishing license, and more!
Just for Fun
  • ​2 Hours of Viewing Fish in Ocean and Aquariums with Relaxing Music 

Week 8: Insect Investigations

Identification/Biology
  • Life Cycle of a Butterfly (Grades PreK-2) [Animated video]
  • All About Insects (Grades 3 - Adult) [Video]
  • Caterpillar Turns Into a Puss Moth (All ages) [Video]
Local Groups/Resources/Facebook pages
  • Insects of Iowa (Grades 4 - Adult) Identification, local collections, and more.
Just for Fun
  • ​The Hungry Caterpillar (Ages 2+) [Animated video and narration]
  • Life-Size Insect Sculptures Made Completely Out of Bamboo 
  • 9 Bugs to Eat in a Survival Situation (And 4 You Want to Avoid) (Grades 6 - Adult) 

Week 9: Reptiles

Identification/Biology
  • Bill Nye the Science Guy: Reptiles (All ages) [Video]
  • DK: Reptiles (Ages 6+) [Interactive page]
  • How to tell an alligator from a crocodile (Ages 8+) [Video]
  • ​Cool Facts About Snakes, Lizards & Dragon (Ages 5+) [Video]
  • Cool Facts About Alligators and Crocodiles (Ages 5+) [Video]
  • Reptile Facts for Kids (Grades 3+) 
  • Snakes (Grades 2+) [Lessons and games]
  • Lizards (Grades 1+) [Lessons and games]
  • Turtles and Tortoises (Grades 1+) [Lessons and games]
  • Crocodiles (Grades 1+) [Lessons and games]
  • Reptiles (Grades 1-5) Facts and activities.
Local Groups/Resources/Facebook pages
  • ​Reptiles and Amphibians of Iowa
Just for Fun
  • National Geographic: Snakes have friends too (All ages) [Videos of snake social experiment and what may be the largest gathering of snakes anywhere in the world]
Picture
OUR MISSION
​

​Hartman Reserve Nature Center is dedicated to understanding our environment through education, recreation and community involvement and to stewardship of a unique natural area.
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CONTACT INFO

​Hartman Reserve Nature Center
657 Reserve Drive
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
(319)-277-2187
fax (319) 277-4420
NATURE CENTER
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 1 - 5 pm

TRAILS
Open every day from
​sunrise to sunset.

OUTSIDE RESTROOM
The outdoor restroom on the south side of the building is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • HISTORY
    • WHAT WE ARE
    • VISION
    • STAFF
    • OUR PARTNERS
    • CONNECT
  • VISIT
    • NATURE CENTER HOURS
    • TRAILS
    • Trail Rx
    • EXHIBITS
  • EDUCATION
    • FIELD TRIPS >
      • PRE K - KINDERGARDEN
      • 1st - 2nd GRADE
      • 3rd - 4th GRADE
      • 5th GRADE and UP
    • EDUCATORS RESOURCES
    • Virtual Learning
  • PROGRAMS
    • UPCOMING
    • YOUTH CAMPS >
      • SPRING BREAK
      • SUMMER CAMPS
    • FUNDRASING EVENTS >
      • FROSTY BUNS RACE SERIES
      • MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
      • UNDER THE HARVEST MOON
    • PUBLIC PROGRAM SERIES >
      • FOREST BATHING
      • PADDLE IN THE PARK
      • 2ND SUNDAY SPEAKER SERIES
      • VISITING ARTIST
  • RENTALS
    • COMMUNITY ROOM
    • BUCKLES BUILDING
    • SNOWSHOES
  • OPPORTUNITIES
    • BRICKS FOR BIRDS
    • Photography Contest
    • DONATE
    • VOLUNTEER
    • INTERNSHIPS