ELY - The month of March marks the change from winter to spring as daylight hours get longer and temperatures rise above freezing.
March is also when the Ely Field Naturalists return to regular programs and field trips.
The beginning of weekly activities occurs Saturday, March 5 and each Nature in the Northland Saturday will provide outdoor and indoor adventures from spring through fall. Saturday activities are open to the public at no charge and include the following:
 For wildlife watching in the woods and wetlands from 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., meet at Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters, 2030 E. Sheridan Street in Ely, prepared to carpool/caravan a short distance for a short hike to observe morning bird activity and explore local natural areas. Bring binoculars if you have them. There will be binoculars and a spotting scope available for use. These trips will be in locations easy to access in Ely and nearby.
Stop by the Ely Field Naturalists location above the NAPA store at 41 East Chapman Street in Ely. The staircase next to the main entrance of NAPA provides access to the upper level which houses the Ely Field Naturalists library, equipment storage, lab and field study resources. The Ely Field Naturalists Resource Center is open 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Drop in for brunch at Northern Grounds, 4 West Sheridan Street in Ely and meet others with an interest in northeastern Minnesota wildlands from 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Although not formal presentations, they are an opportunity to meet and share interests, experiences and resources to build a stronger naturalist community.
From noon to 3 p.m. or later, participate in field trips throughout the season. Meet at Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters, 2030 E. Sheridan Street in Ely prepared to carpool/caravan on a longer field trip to areas in the region outside of Ely. This is an opportunity to experience “a sense of place” with seasonal events, physical and biological features, and management areas across northern forests, wetlands, and waters. Bring binoculars if you have them. There will be binoculars and a spotting scope available for use. More details will be announced before each trip. Suggestions are welcome, as well as destination ideas.
March and April field trips will focus on sites that have evidence of past, recent, or future forest fire related activities or management. This is the ten-year anniversary of the Pagami Fire and a palate of community events have been planned for these two months to engage in absorbing the role and presence of fires in the northeastern Minnesota environment.
Check the Ely Field Naturalists google group, website or Facebook page on the internet.
To join the Ely Field Naturalists google group, call Bill Tefft at 218-235-8078 or email btefft65@gmail.com.