Idaho Department of Fish and Game MK Nature Center

Cute is one of the best words to describe American martens! They look a bit like a small, slender house cat with a long, bushy tail.

Next time you are in an Idaho forest, look up, you may be lucky enough to see a curious American marten looking back at you or leaping and jumping from tree to tree!

Learn more about these secretive forest dwellers in our December edition of Wildlife Express. https://idfg.idaho.gov/ZT4

🐾 More wildlife topics and activities: https://idfg.idaho.gov/education/wildlife-express

A light snowfall brings a quiet bit of seasonal cheer to the nature center grounds. Steelhead in the Alpine Lake.

Last day for Bird Seed Sale Fundraiser. We also have lots of great gift ideas. Wild Birds Unlimited will be selling a variety of feeders as well. Open from 9 to 5.

Bird seed is selling out fast, make sure you don't miss our sale. Open until 5 pm. Sat. 9 to 5.
We still have lots of great nature themed holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list.

IT IS HERE! Our Bird Seed Sale Fundraiser! The sale goes on Friday and Saturday from 9 to 5 pm. Get some seed for the birds and finish up your holiday shopping.

MK Nature Center's Bird Seed Sale is Almost HERE!

https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2021/12/mk-nature-centers-bird-seed-sale-almost-here

MK Nature Center's Bird Seed Sale is Almost HERE! MK Nature Center's annual bird seed sale is this FRIDAY AND SATURDAY from 9am-5pm. Of course, we are selling premium bird seed for all your bird feeding needs, but also local and sustainable gifts such as t shirts, puzzles, games, decorations, and books! Click the video to see what we have to offer....

Looking for unique gifts, come browse the nature center gift shop.
Need bird seed? Fundraiser starts Friday.

Bird Seed Sale starts this Friday! If you like feeding birds, please consider supporting our fundraiser. Public sale is Dec. 3rd and 4th from 9 to 5 pm. We partner with Wild Birds Unlimited.

Bird Seed Sale starts this Friday! If you like feeding birds, please consider supporting our fundraiser. Public sale is Dec. 3rd and 4th from 9 to 5 pm. We partner with Wild Birds Unlimited.

It’s always an exciting day when new fish arrive at the nature center! Four beautiful steelhead were delivered and placed in the Alpine Lake. Many thanks to our IDFG colleagues at the Oxbow Hatchery and the Fisheries Bureau for making this possible. Come check out the steelhead on your next visit!

Come check out our large selection of Jabebo earrings. They are made from post consumed cereal boxes.

This bobcat was caught by one of the nature center’s trail cams. These small wild cats have become more common recently, traveling through habitat along the Boise River corridor where they find food and shelter. Visitors and staff have also had occasional sightings of a bobcat during daylight hours this autumn.

This bobcat was caught by one of the nature center’s trail cams. These small wild cats have become more common recently, traveling through habitat along the Boise River corridor where they find food and shelter. Visitors and staff have also had occasional sightings of a bobcat during daylight hours this autumn.

You can find many unique items at the Nature Center gift shop. These are gorgeous handmade flower light plate switch covers. Open from 10 to 3 Tue. Thru Sun. All proceeds go towards day to day operations and our education programs.

You can find many unique items at the Nature Center gift shop. These are gorgeous handmade flower light plate switch covers. Open from 10 to 3 Tue. Thru Sun. All proceeds go towards day to day operations and our education programs.

Need a selfie or family photo with a wild turkey this Thanksgiving season? Visits the MK Nature center visitor center auditorium November 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24 from 10 am-3 pm ( note: closed Monday the 22nd).

These beautiful handmade luminaries are sure to brighten up anyone's holiday season. New shipment came in yesterday. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 to 3pm.

Warmish fall temperatures + a little rain=MUSHROOMS!!!

It is almost here!
MK Nature Center's Bird Seed Sale Dec. 3rd & 4th from 9 am to 5 pm.
This is an important yearly fundraiser for the nature center's education programs and day to day operations. If you enjoy feeding birds consider buying your seed from us.
Questions, email [email protected]

It is almost here!
MK Nature Center's Bird Seed Sale Dec. 3rd & 4th from 9 am to 5 pm.
This is an important yearly fundraiser for the nature center's education programs and day to day operations. If you enjoy feeding birds consider buying your seed from us.
Questions, email [email protected]

Just got in these beautiful handmade flat candles. If you are looking for a unique holiday gift this is it! Open 10 to 3 Tue. thru Sun.

Looking for some unique nature themed gifts for that nature lover on your list, then stop by our gift shop . All proceeds go back into our day to day operations. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 to 3pm.

The Nature Center has a great selection of adult and children's books. Here is a small sample of what we have in stock now.
We are open Tuesday through Sunday 10 to 3pm. In store only.

The Nature Center carries a wide variety of board games and puzzles, for that nature lover on your holiday list. All proceeds go towards our educational programs and day to day operations of the center. Gift shop is open from 10 am to 3 pm Tuesday thru Sunday.

Consider supporting your local nature center when you do your holiday shopping, our gift shop has variety of nature themed gift ideas.

Consider supporting your local nature center when you do your holiday shopping, our gift shop has variety of nature themed gift ideas.

Save the Date! December 3rd and 4th, 9 am to 5pm, is the MK Nature Center's annual Bird Seed Sale Fundraiser.

Save the Date! December 3rd and 4th, 9 am to 5pm, is the MK Nature Center's annual Bird Seed Sale Fundraiser.

A great deal of behind-the-scenes work goes on to keep the nature center’s stream system flowing. Here Susan works with volunteers Bob and Tom to remove roots growing into a recirculation weir. Roots can clog pumps, creating all sorts of headaches. Thanks to this crew for their hard work!

A great deal of behind-the-scenes work goes on to keep the nature center’s stream system flowing. Here Susan works with volunteers Bob and Tom to remove roots growing into a recirculation weir. Roots can clog pumps, creating all sorts of headaches. Thanks to this crew for their hard work!

Autumn beauty, bold and subtle. Take a stroll through the nature center to see what you can discover.

The nature center’s visiting mule deer like this quiet corner of the building. It’s well off the path, tucked away out of the wind in winter and shady in summer. Makes for a perfect place to rest.

The nature center’s visiting mule deer like this quiet corner of the building. It’s well off the path, tucked away out of the wind in winter and shady in summer. Makes for a perfect place to rest.

This bald-faced hornet was resting on the bridge decking. At this time of year the workers of this and other wasp species begin to die off. Only queens will overwinter, starting a new colony in spring. Bald-faced hornets eat nectar, making them a valuable pollinator. The adults also prey on other insects and spiders, feeding them to the developing larvae.

These mule deer found the nature center to be a perfect place for a rest this morning. Mule deer are frequent visitors as they make their way along the Boise River corridor. Please remember to be a responsible wildlife watcher by observing deer and other wildlife from a safe distance.

A western screech owl found a spot tucked out of the wind for a mid-day snooze. A pair of screech owls raised four owlets at the nature center this past summer. This bird could be part of that family. Screech owls are fairly common residents of wooded areas in our community, more often heard than seen.

A western screech owl found a spot tucked out of the wind for a mid-day snooze. A pair of screech owls raised four owlets at the nature center this past summer. This bird could be part of that family. Screech owls are fairly common residents of wooded areas in our community, more often heard than seen.

Great blue heron fishing around the pond this afternoon.

Great blue heron fishing around the pond this afternoon.

Extracting honey at the nature center today.