Welcome to the monthly article from the Howard County Conservation Department. This article will help keep you informed to what is happening within our department.
    Spring is the time of year when our office receives many calls on “abandoned” baby animals. Before approaching any baby animal sit back and watch the animal for a few hours. Chances are the mother has left the baby to go out looking for food and will return in a few hours to check on the animal. Please remember it is illegal to keep most wild animals as pets!    Attracting hummingbirds to your yard can be as simple as putting out a hummingbird feeder. Feeders should be out from May 1 to October 1.
    May is a wonderful time to get out into the woods and enjoy all of the spring wildflowers Mother Nature has carpeted the woodland floor with.  May apples, Trillium, Blue Bells, Hepatica, Bloodroot and Buttercups are just a few of the beauties that can be enjoyed. And if you are lucky you might be able to find yourself a few morels while soaking in all the beauty.
    On Thursday, April 24, local third grade students came out to the Prairie’s Edge Nature Center to celebrate Arbor Day. Arbor Day is sponsored by the Howard Soil and Water Conservation District and the Howard County Conservation Board. While in attendance the children each received a tree to take home and attended programs on tree planting, the water cycle, wildlife identification, tree identification, a bird walk, and wildflower walk.
    If you have any questions about something featured in this article, please feel free to contact the Howard County Conservation office at (563)547-3634.