Students go on an Earth Day safari to 'document spring'

Document Spring 2019 Earth Day Safari participants were greeted by spring rain and 42-degree temperatures at Jay Cooke State Park, Monday morning, April 22. Students from Wrenshall and Moose Lake high schools came together with community members to document the arrival of spring with photography, citizen science and

iNaturalist technology for Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community's project Document Spring.

Document Spring project manager Glenn Swanson described Document Spring 2019 as an "art and citizen science bioblitz" that brings together individuals, organizations, and high school and college students over a period of two months to capture the emergence of spring by artistic and scientific observations.

The project is guided by expert phenologists and photographers, whose skills help participants create snapshots of spring's arrival at the St. Louis River, Jay Cooke State Park and other locations that reveal Carlton County's unique and dramatic geography.

Lending instruction and guidance for Monday's safari were Jay Cooke park naturalist Kristine Hiller, Jaron Cramer of the Superior Hiking Trail Association, Swanson, and professional nature photographer David Jensen.

"We are early in our 2019 season," said Swanson, "and this project runs through May 31. The great outdoors will change a lot by then."

Swanson said OACC has three more safaris scheduled at Jay Cooke, and another rolled into a birding event at Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center on May 11.

The next safari is Friday, April 26 starting at 9:30 a.m. in Jay Cooke State Park. Those wishing to take part should meet at River Inn to help kick off the Twin Ports City Nature Challenge.

There will also be guided nature safaris at Jay Cooke on May 3 and May 10.

The long-term goal of Document Spring, according to Swanson, is twofold, to "give people personal experience with capturing nature's beauty and mystery, as well as with the scientific tools of measuring seasonal change so they can make informed decisions about climate science and environmental policies."

Swanson stressed that Document Spring, now in its second year, is grateful for its sponsors, Minnesota Power, Sappi, the City of Carlton, Oldenburg House, Magnolia Café and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College; and its partners, Jay Cooke State Park, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center, Twin Ports Nature Challenge 2019 and the Superior Hiking Trail Association.

For more information, visit http://www.oacc.us or call (218) 384-4835.