Weekend activities planned at Red Rock

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Lake Red Rock will host a variety of activities over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, including:

• “Nature’s Fireworks: Firefly Hike” is scheduled for tonight at 9 p.m. at the Howell Station Campground (meet at old amphitheater site). The brilliant flashes of fireflies brighten warm summer nights and offer a wonderful display. Take a walk in search of “nature’s fireworks” and learn a bit about these fascinating insects.

• “Iowa’s Wildcats” is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Howell Station Campground (meet at old amphitheater site). The Iowa DNR and Iowa State University have been conducting a bobcat research project in south central Iowa to explore bobcat ecology within the state, and the public is invited to join DNR Forest Wildlife Research Biologist Todd Gosselink to learn about the behaviors of radio-tagged bobcats in the research project and where they can be found in Iowa. Learn what bobcats eat, what scent they leave behind and hear some of the bobcats’ sounds. Gosselink also will describe methods used for researching other wildlife species and show some of the equipment used.

• “Wetland Exploration” will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the South Tailwater Recreation Area (meet in parking lot near picnic shelter). Join Ranger Tracy Spry to do a little “mucking” at one of the lake area wetlands. Dip nets and tubs will be available for participants to try to catch some of the critters swimming and crawling in and around the area. Mucking can be messy, so wear old shoes and clothes.

• “Let’s Walk the New Trail” will be at 9 a.m. Sunday beginning at Cordova Park Boat Ramp. Start off the morning with a good stretch of the legs. Join Ranger Junifer Kruse for a walk over a portion of the newly cleared path for the Volksweg Trail. While the trail is just a grassy path at this point, the sights and sounds of this newly opened section of wilderness will offer participants a great way to start the day.

Programs are free of charge, and no reservations are needed. Programs will be canceled if raining. For more information, call (641) 828-7522.