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Shelters at River Preserve

Baintertown ShelterView Shelter

Capacity50

Fee$50

Benton ShelterView Shelter

Capacity30

Fee$30

Weddings at DeFries GardensView Shelter

Capacity50

Fee$225

Security Deposit $250

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🔍 Do you see what I see?

🔍 Do you see what I see?

In winter, wildlife leave stories in the snow with

In winter, wildlife leave stories in the snow with every step they take. Each track is a mystery waiting to be revealed. On your next outdoor adventure, use this guide to crack some of these cold cases and reveal the critters behind the clues.

Bounders: Have short legs and long bodies. They move like an accordion - their back feet land where their front feet stepped as they bound.

Waddlers: They have short legs and round bodies. Their walking pattern resembles waddling, with an alternate side-to-side motion. Waddlers appear to move one side of their body and then the other side when they walk, as though the front and back foot are connected by an imaginary string.

Hoppers: They move by placing their rear feet slightly ahead of their front feet and pushing off so their front feet land first, and their back feet land in front. Their hopping pattern is sometimes called "Leap Frogging".

Burrowers: In deep snow, voles prefer to remain beneath the surface in tunnels. As the snow melts, these winding, snake-like tunnels become exposed.

Trotters: They move with a smooth zig-zagging pattern. Many trotters conserve energy by landing their back feet in the tracks where their front feet previously fell. This simple left-right pattern gives the illusion of only two feet leaving behind tracks, and is easy to spot.

Happy New Year! 🎉 As the sun sets on another y

Happy New Year! 🎉
As the sun sets on another year, may it rise again and shine light on new opportunities, perspectives, and adventures ahead!

"Freshly cut Christmas trees, smelling of stars an

"Freshly cut Christmas trees, smelling of stars and snow and pine resin — inhale deeply, and fill your soul with wintry night.” - John J. Geddes

Wishing you a warm and merry holiday season! 🎄

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