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How are Itasca State Park’s flying squirrels faring in evolving forests?

KAXE
Published August 22, 2023 at 10:26 AM CDT
Two species of flying squirrel live in Minnesota: the Northern flying squirrel (upper) and the Southern flying squirrel (lower). This image is a composite and not to scale. Two squirrels are shown. The upper squirrel is gliding with its arms outstretched. Its tail is flattened and its front and back feet are connected by large flaps of skin, allowing it to glide through the air. The lower squirrel is holding on to a tree with its feet. It has large dark eyes and is very cute.
Sarah Mitchell
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KAXE (Original photography by iNaturalist user Cataloging Nature and Dopeyden from Getty Images.)
Two species of flying squirrel live in Minnesota: the Northern flying squirrel (upper) and the Southern flying squirrel (lower). This image is a composite and not to scale.

Learn more about the tale of ecological elimination during a presentation 1-2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, in the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Classroom at Itasca State Park.

PARK RAPIDS — Itasca State Park is historically home to both northern and southern flying squirrels, but a changing forest means one might no longer be found in the park’s boundaries.

Learn more about the tale of ecological elimination during a presentation 1-2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, in the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Classroom at Itasca State Park.

“Science in Nature: Itasca’s Flying Squirrels: A Story of Ecological Elimination” features Alex Doebler, a senior studying ecology, evolution and behavior at the University of Minnesota.

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Doebler will discuss how he traps, attaches radio collars and tracks flying squirrels to better understand what habitats each squirrel species occupies or prefers. He is investigating whether any northern flying squirrels remain in the park.

Doebler was recently awarded the Jim Winter Itasca Research Scholarship through the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories to conduct research on flying squirrels in the park. This program is coordinated by the University of Minnesota's Itasca Biological Station and Itasca State Park.

Itasca State Park events this week

  • 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23: Circle Time Under the Pines “H is for Hummingbirds” preschool program for children ages 2-5 years old. Adults must accompany children. Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum in the picnic grounds. 
  • 10:30-11:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24: Extraordinary Owls Jr. Naturalist program, council ring outside the Lakeside Museum in the picnic grounds.  
  • 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24: Yoga in the Park, Lakeside Museum. 
  • 11-11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25: Mississippi Headwaters Mysteries Walk, Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. 
  • 10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26: Historic buildings walking tour, meet outside Forest Inn. 
  • 2-2:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26: Making Minnesota Activity Booklet Jr. Naturalist program, council ring outside the Lakeside Museum in the picnic grounds. 
  • 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27: Itasca’s Evening Under the Pines, featuring local musical group Northern Bass. Lake Itasca Amphitheater. 
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Science and Nature upcoming eventKAXELearning EventsItasca State Park