The heat and air quality improved on June 21 to allow a group of WLP friends to go for a group walk on the Wacouta Township paved trail. The prairie flowers were in bloom along the mile + trail to the delight of the group. Hopefully the weather and air quality will improve the rest of the WLP season so more walkers will want to attend the planned WLP weekly group walks. (See group walk schedule on the "Sign Up" page.}
Wednesday, June 28, the WLP group will meet and park at Schleicher’s Funeral Home parking lot off Hwy 61 and walk to the Camp Lakeview Military encampment near the Lake City Sportsman’s Club on South Oak Street.
Andru Peters, who has written a history of the Camp Lakeview National Guard Training Camp will talk to the WLP group about the history of this encampment that was located in Lake City from 1881 to 1931. All community members are invited to attend whether or not having signed up for WLP.
Wednesday, July 5th, there will be no group walk due to the 4th of July holiday. July 12th the group walk will explore The Jewel and the history of the nursery in the early 20th century. Call Patty Svien, 345-4383 with questions. Continue to watch for Walking Lake Pepin updates in the LC Graphic, on Facebook and on the website; walkinglakepepin.com

​Birding Basics
Binoculars
● Binocular quality is a key factor in birding enjoyment. Try before you buy and get
the best binoculars you can afford. The magnification recommended for birding is
8x42. Contrary to how it might seem, higher magnification just makes finding the
birds more difficult.
Identification and Tracking
● Guidebooks (two of many)
○ National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
○ The Sibley Guide to Birds
● Apps
○ Merlin Bird ID (free, no ads), from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
■ Helps you ID birds from description, picture, or sound. Also has an
“explore birds” option for more information or comparison. It
coordinates with eBird. Worldwide data.
○ eBird (free, no ads), from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a massive citizen
science project, free online module that teaches you how to use it
■ You can create and save lists of the birds you’ve seen on a walk or
in a certain place. You can find places where others go to see birds.
Very helpful for planning outings and discovering what birds have
been seen where you’re going. You can use the “explore birds”
option to learn more about birds you are seeing. Worldwide data.
○ Sibley Birds ($19.99, no ads)
■ ID by description. Great for comparing birds to help with ID. Learn
about the birds you are seeing. North America.
○ The Warbler Guide ($12.99, no ads)
■ Great for comparing different angle views of warblers to help with
ID. North America.

​Learning More/ Community
● Cornell Lab of Ornithology
○ Offers very good online classes about birding and birds. Has many
resources for learning more about birds.
● Guided bird walks
○ Frontenac State Park Association
■ bit.ly/fspa-events
■ Coming dates: June 24, July 8, August 5 and 19, Sept. 23, Oct. 7
○ Zumbro Valley Audubon
■ https://zumbrovalleyaudubon.org/calendar.html
■ Monthly bird walk at Quarry Hill Nature Center
○ Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
■ https://mrvac.org/events/
■ Single day walks and weekends around the state, also sponsor
trips farther afield.
● Frontenac State Park Association
○ Tag us on Instagram @fsapassociation
Contact:

Wednesday June 14th, the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group explored the lower Frontenac State Park meadow and learned about the art of birding.  A smaller than normal group of walkers were in attendance due to the poor air quality on Wednesday.
Janet Malotky, local “birding” enthusiast, joined the walkers and talked to the group about how to get started bird watching.  She shared the basics of the what, where and how of bird watching including use of binoculars, computer apps available to help identify birds seen and organizations that offer quided bird walks.  
The handout Janet prepared for the group walk is available on the WLP Facebook page and website;  walkinglakepepin.com
Frontenac State Park offers scheduled guided bird walks.  Check the webpage, bit.ly/spa-events for upcoming quided walks at the park. The next one is scheduled for Saturday June 24.
Next Wednesday, June 28, the WLP group will meet and park at Schleicher’s Funeral home parking lot off Hwy 61 and walk to the Lakeview Military encampment near the Lake City Sportsman’s Club on South Oak Street.
Andru Peters, who has written a history of the Camp Lakeview National Guard Training Camp will talk to the WLP group about the history of this encampment that was located in Lake City from 1818 to 1931. All community members are invited to attend whether or not you have signed up for WLP.
Wednesday, July 5th, there will be no group walk due to the 4th of July holiday. July 12th the group walk will explore The Jewel and the history of the nursery in the early 20th century. Call Patty Svien, 345-4383 with questions. Continue to watch for Walking Lake Pepin updates in the LC Graphic, on Facebook and on the website; walkinglakepepin.com 

​Wednesday, June 7, twenty-three Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) participants gathered at Hok si la Park for the first group walk of the season. 
Before walking the group met at the park office to see the WLP quilt that was donated to the park from Frank Lupton’s family. The quilt was made prior to his passing in 2021 and was made from many of the WLP t-shirts from 2008 to 2020.  It now hangs in the office lounge area in his honor.
Frank was a founding member of WLP and was a force behind keeping the group going from year to year.  He also was a PhD in outdoor education and shared his knowledge of flora and fauna as the WLP group walked each week.
Jayden Lichtenberg was also recognized before the walk began.  He is this year’s ambassador for WLP 2023 and his helping to plan the group walks this season.  He also gave a brief message about his friendship with Frank over the past 6 years. They were true “buddies”.
After the walking the Hok si la trails the group met up for a marshmallow roast and making of S’mores.  A sign that summer as truly begun.
Wednesday June 14 the group walked through the meadow at Frontenac State Park and learned a little about how to become a “birder”, bird watcher. 
Next week, June 21, the group will travel to Wacouta township for a walk on Rattlesnake Trail.  The group will meet at the Lake City Marina Office to carpool to the area.  Walkers can also drive independently and meet at the township hall. Questions call Patty Svien 345-4383.  

​

Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) 2023 has started.  Sunday, June 4th,was the first day for participants to start logging their minutes or miles of walking or other moderate physical activity over the next 10 weeks.  Everyone is invited to join in and can sign up by stopping in at Treats and Treasures on Washington St., Anytime Fitness on 7th or online at the WLP website, walkinglakepepin.org.
Group walks are scheduled on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm at a different locations in and around Lake City. This Wednesday the WLP group met at Hok-si-la Park for the first walk of the season.  A list of the weekly walking schedule will be on the Walking Lake Pepin FaceBook page or on the website.
When WLP was started in 2008 the goal of the summer program was to promote physical health and wellness by increasing physical activity. Current research is showing with increasing evidence that physical activity (walking, biking, swimming, jogging, etc) can also improve our mental health. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/real-life-benefits-exercise-and-physical-activity 
Exercise and physical activity can improve blood flow throughout the body (muscles and brain) improving energy. Improved mood and reduced stress and anxiety are also achieved with exercise by producing endorphins, chemicals that produce a sense of wellbeing.
Improved sleep quality is another benefit of regular physical activity. Many kinds of physical activity (walking, biking, jogging, pickle ball) have little to no cost and provide opportunity for social interaction which is needed for our mental health.
Exercise and all forms of moderate physical activity improve both physical and mental health no matter what your age.  It’s WIN-WIN!
T-shirts for the 2030 WLP season can be ordered at Treats and Treasures on Washington St. This year’s t-shirts are maroon and white with the “JAYden  WALKING” slogan on the back. T-shirts price is $15 (S,M,L,XL) and $17 (2XL). Available T-shirts will be limited to 30. Please order by June 15
Weekly info and updates will be published in the The Graphic, FaceBook and on the WLP website.  Contact Patty Svien 345-4383 with questions.