Posted to Ernie Miller Nature Center: Tracks Newsletter by Bryan Thompson
In the winter the Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is more easily seen. This evergreen is common through out our state. Many people see this tree as a weedy plant that invades the prairie, shading out grasses and flowers below. This tree is not a cedar nor is it red, at least not on the outside.
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Posted to Explore JCPRD by Becky Burnside
Next time you’re visiting the Ernie Miller Nature Center, don’t be surprised if you see a barn owl wildly bobbing its head up and down to a Shakira song. Or a red tailed hawk intently looking at the colorful illustrations as a park naturalist reads to it from a kids’ storybook.
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Posted to Strategic Plan Updates by Bryan Thompson

In January, JCPRD’s consultants presented a summary of data to the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners. The presentation summarized findings from internal and external engagement efforts, a parks, facilities, and open space inventory, a historic value structural analysis, and a programs assessment. The deliverable to JCPRD will include documentation of all responses received in our engagement efforts.
The next step is to use the findings to inform visioning efforts and plan recommendations.
