Early this November, Belwin hosted its inaugural First Wednesday Walkabout, a new series designed by naturalist Lynette Anderson as a way to help people get outdoors during the colder months. As Lynette put it, “There’s always something going on in nature,” even when the days grow shorter and most of us are tempted to stay inside.
We began indoors at the Savanna Center, where Lynette introduced us to the wildlife that call this region home. Participants handled deer skulls and discussed how these herbivores survive by browsing small plants. The wear on their teeth can indicate their age. Lynette also explained how bucks scrape the ground and mark trees during the rutting season, later shedding their antlers. Deer sheds are an important source of minerals for small mammals, as shown by the telltale gnaw marks we observed on antler pieces.
We also examined the thick pelt, skull, and feet of a beaver. Their hind feet are webbed for swimming. Lynette pointed out the beaver’s specialized rear toenail, used for grooming its dense winter coat. Their dexterous front paws are perfect for packing mud and branches into dams and lodges.
As dusk fell, we set out on the trails. One of the names for the full moon in November is the “Beaver Moon”. This year the Beaver Moon orbited closer to Earth than any other full moon of 2025. It created a spectacular display, rising over the Savanna Hills.
From a high spot overlooking the marsh that feeds Lake Edith, Lynette shared some of the history of the Savanna Hills site. Due to Belwin’s ongoing restoration work, the area now contains over 100 acres of restored oak savanna, one of the rarest ecosystems in North America.
Down by the creek, we visited the site of the old beaver dam. In recent years, beavers had transformed the marsh by building their dam, raising water levels, and creating habitat for water birds. Last fall, the dam burst and the landscape was reshaped once again. Standing by the remains of the lodge, we listened to the gentle trickle of the creek and watched moonlight ripple across the water.
As the sun disappeared and the moon climbed higher, we used red light to guide our steps while preserving our night vision. Lynette explained how nocturnal and crepuscular animals see in the dark. We passed around a barred owl wing, examining the comb-like serrations that let these birds fly silently in pursuit of prey.
Near the end of our walk, Lynette invited us to pause for a “moment of zen.” We turned off our lights, spread out along the trail, and simply listened: to the wind in the trees, the flowing creek, and the quiet presence of the land beneath the Beaver Moon.
Before heading back, Lynette reminded us that the wildlife we observed depend on these ecosystems to survive. They can’t simply move elsewhere. “Diversity yields stability,” she said, quoting a lesson from her ecology studies. Protecting this land ensures not only the health of wildlife, but also our own resilience and connection to nature.
To sign up for the next First Wednesday Walkabout and for more opportunities to explore and connect with nature, visit belwin.org/events
