Three Nature Finds to Bring Color This Winter

By Clara Wodny on February 25, 2025 in Blog

With the snow melting and spring on the horizon, late winter may seem drab and dull. Luckily, the weather is warming up and there’s plenty to explore outdoors to brighten you and your family’s day! Here are three nature finds to get you through the rest of winter.

1. Lichen

Often found on tree trunks and easier to spot in the winter, lichen is a symbiotic organism formed by a partnership between fungi and algae. It comes in a variety of shapes, textures and colors including white, yellow, green, red and more! Add a bit of water or snow to the lichen and watch vibrant colors appear.

2. Pine Needles

Some trees are coniferous, meaning they don’t lose their leaves. Iowa is home to a few native conifers. Can you find Iowa’s native pine tree, the Eastern White Pine? Look for long, soft needles that are attached to the twig in bundles of five. Collect the needles, rinse them and then boil them in water to make a lightly sweetened pine needle tea.

3. Squirrel Dreys

In nature, animals build and live in many kinds of homes. Chipmunks dig burrows, woodpeckers carve holes in trees, and squirrels build nests in trees. A squirrel’s nest is called a drey and is made of materials like leaves, branches and moss. Squirrel dreys are found in trees, usually at least 20 feet off the ground. Do you know of any other animal homes? Go on a habitat hunt and see how many you can find in your area.

These are just three of the many discoveries that wait out your door! What leads you outside this time of year? Share with us by tagging INHF on Instagram on your next outdoor adventure!