For more than 12 years, Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter has offered Saturday Morning Nature Walks year-round. The guided, hour-long tours usher visitors into a part of the preserve that the public cannot access otherwise.“You see it from a different perspective,” said Bri Cencak, visitor experience coordinator.Summer months obviously present the most green and lush time of the year to experience the land and wildflowers, as well as up to 10 pairs of residential sandhill cranes and other wildlife. Spring brings fresh budding trees and more signs of life. But fall is also a magical time, as the cranes don’t leave until sometime in October, and the leaves are changing colors.“Fall tends to be a quieter time on the preserve as things are transitioning, but there are still mule deer, and you may encounter skunks,” Cencak said. “Seeds are dropping, and the leaves change hue. Things are just preparing for winter, whether that’s the wildlife or plants.”In September, the migration season begins. Visitors might see Northern harriers, low flying hawks hunting and cedar waxwings feeding on berries and shrubs. Waterfowl, such as American coots, mallards and gadwalls, also frequent the ponds.“The preserve serves as a crucial stopover point for migrating birds, where they can find resources and refuel,” she said.Every tour includes the history of the preserve, including conservation efforts, how it was restored back to wetlands and the important role wetlands play in the ecosystem.“The wetlands are a vital resource for water filtration and a habitat for species,” she said. “Park City really values open space, and this piece of land has really done a lot with wetlands and how they have shaped Utah. Less than 1% of Utah is made up of wetlands. It’s a peaceful and serene place to escape from the hustle and bustle.”Groups of 15 learn about the Swaner Preserve and its wildlife during guided nature walks every Saturday. The loop is about a mile long, and walkers can stay to the end or turn around whenever they want. Credit: Courtesy of the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenterWinter is Cencak’s favorite time to explore the preserve. Visitors tour the generally flat terrain, which has a slight uphill grade, on snowshoes and look for signs of wildlife, such as scat, tracks, tunnels or places animals have bedded down. Red-tailed hawks, mountain chickadees and Northern flickers also can be spotted, along with crows, ravens and magpies.“Seeing the blanket of snow is breathtaking,” she said, adding that snowshoe rentals are available for adults and even very small children. “The ermine is a favorite of mine because it changes the color of its coat. It sheds its brown and becomes white to camouflage itself in the snow. Looking for those animals and looking for tracks is so fascinating.”She and other guides often encourage guests to make up stories about what they think the animals were doing when they created the track patterns.The nature walk loop spans about a mile, though distance covered varies, depending on the group. Participants who don’t want to remain on the entire tour are welcome to turn around at any time.“It’s a pretty relaxed environment because we’re out there to learn,” she said. “Our naturalists’ goal is to go outside and explore and be curious about what’s going around us. Each of us brings our own perspective. I’m into kids’ curiosity about the natural world, so I bring out furs and skulls and talk about how adaptation helps animals survive in their habitat. We all love to tap into people’s curiosities and be excited about this beautiful place. It’s a family-friendly way to get out on the preserve. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned local, there’s always going to be something to learn about the preserve.”Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter Saturday Morning Nature WalksWhen: 8:30-9:30 a.m. every Saturday; starting around January, tours take place 9:30-10:30 a.m. for the winter season Cost: Free for Swaner members; $5 for Utah residents; $10 for out-of-state visitors. Snowshoe rental is $2.50 for members and $5 for non-members. Note: Registration is required, and groups cap at 15 Registration: extension.usu.edu/swaner/calendar Web: swanerecocenter.orgThe post Take a Saturday morning nature walk on the Swaner Preserve appeared first on Park Record.