Take an adventure into nature at one of our Pathways to Nature sites. It'll be a fun and educational experience for the whole family.
Go there now...
What do Nature and the Internet have in common? Cool Web sites about nature.
Take a look at some of the activites on these sites.
Go there now...
If birds are feeding in a muddy place in your yard, chances are they will leave behind some footprints. You can identify which birds have visited your yard by looking at these footprints.
You can keep a record of your feathered visitors' prints by making plaster of Paris casts.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
• 10 inch strip of poster board
• Water
• Water pitcher
• Bowl for mixing
• Paperclips
• Plaster of Paris
• Scissors
• Spoon
• Watercolor brush
1. Locate a footprint in moist but firm mud. Clean away any leaves or other debris with the brush.
2. Bend the poster board strip into a circle and paperclip the ends together. Place the poster board ring around the footprint and press it into the mud. Make sure there are no gaps between the ground and the ring.
3. Mix some plaster that is a little on the runny side. Pour it over the footprint and allow the plaster to set for about 15 minutes.
4. Lift up the plaster and poster board ring and leave it undisturbed for about 24 hours.
5. Take off the poster board ring, and wash off any leftover mud.
