Winter River Adventures
Discovering Adaptations in Minnesota’s Winter Wonderland
by Johnna Austin, Education Specialist, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Winter is a stunning time of year. The crisp air and snow-covered trees make for a beautiful scene. However, only the bold can survive here. Many animals hibernate, brumate, or migrate to warmer destinations. The friends who do stay here have adaptations to help them survive our long, dark cold winters. I, myself, have a very thick coat, wool socks, and a car with a remote start. Every February, fearless students join us at Fort Snelling State Park for our Winter River field trip in order to better understand the need for adaptations during winter. On the field trip, students rotate through a variety of fun activities, including snowshoeing, a fireside lunch, lessons on tree features, and participation in a station featuring a game called Oh Deer!
At the Oh Deer! station, students learn that whitetailed deer are one of Minnesota’s most successful winter survivors. Did you know that white-tailed deer have hollow hairs to help keep them warm? Another key characteristic helping them survive is their amazing digestive system that helps them eat items that you can still find here in the winter—twigs, evergreen needles, and bark.
The Oh Deer! game allows students to pretend to be white-tailed deer to see if they can survive. But more than a game is going on here as students gain knowledge about deer features, adaptations, and survival. Students have to think about these concepts and others as they navigate through the game.
By the end, students are understanding multiple objectives, including:
Food, water, and shelter are three essential components of a habitat
Populations are dependent on limiting factors, like the availability of water or food within a habitat
Wildlife populations are constantly changing
Good habitats are key to wildlife survival Students also get a chance to think about how they adapt to winter.
Overall, it is a great experience for them to explore more about themselves and other animals during our wonderful winter months.
Winter River Registration closes on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025.
Winter River is in partnership with Fort Snelling State Park and Wilderness Inquiry.