Wings & Wetlands activities slated for May 9-10

The Trumpeter Swan release has served as the kickoff to the annual Wings & Wetlands event at Lost Island the last several years.

The annual Trumpeter Swan release at Lost Island Marsh will kick off the Wings & Wetlands festivities at Lost Island Huston Park scheduled for May 9-10. The swan release is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m., and will be followed by a full day of actvities hosted by the Palo Alto County Conservation Board, Conservatiton Foundation and Soil & Water Conservation District.

James Gerholdt is scheduled to present a program, "The Remarkable Reptiles" - featuring live snakes, lizards and turtles at the Lost Island Nature Center beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday, followed by a BB gun shoot, duck boat/blind, and the ins and outs of beaver trapping.

Registration for the afternoon youth programs are due by April 29 for participants wishing to receive a free t-shrt. Those programs are sponsored by Palo Alto Duck's Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.

Canoeing at Smith's Slough will begin at 6 p.m. Call (712) 837-4866 to reserve a canoe.

On Sunday, from 1-4:30 p.m., a watchable wildlife tour will take place, leaving from Oneota Park in Spencer, carpooling to unique sites around the region including Dan Green Slough and Fen Valley. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars.

Registration is required for all programs except the swan release. Call (712) 837-4866 to register.