A tool for the change in the seasons, the Minnesota Fall Color Finder
By Jake Richards, Data Specialist Individual Placement / AmeriCorps Member placed at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails
While every season in Minnesota is breathtaking in its own way(biased), when September rolls around a whole new level of beauty creeps its way into the state. The weather gets cooler, the birds start to flying the same direction overhead, and most important the trees foliage begins its annual shift in color. These colors sweep across the state and bring people from all over to witness their vibrant hues. In order to facilitate the outdoor recreation that goes along with this change in the vegetation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has created a tool called The Fall Color Finder. As it is now early September while I am writing this, I would like to give a quick demo for individuals who haven’t used it before.
To access the tool, the easiest way is open a web browsers and search “MN Fall Color Finder” to pull the hyperlink up. Alternatively, if you are familiar with the the Minnesota DNR website, you can find it under the “Popular Links” tab. Once you reach the main page of the tool, you should see a screen like the one below.
Once you reach the page above, the tool is very intuitive to use from there. You can triangulate your location of interest using the map with its county lines and city labels. After figuring out where you want to look at, you can use the scroll bar below the map to select the dates of interest. The key on the side of the map shows you the expected level of color in the area, with an option for a color blind accessible feature as well. Finally, if you click on any of the dots scattered around the map you can see detailed information about the colors at state parks around the state, giving you more context to the area you are interested in. If over the next weeks/months you find yourself planning an outdoor adventure, make sure to check on the MN Fall Color Finder to not miss out!
Sources:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html
Image Sources:
https://openverse.org/image/842196a4-ab1a-4f91-ab1a-f3fc5f057fd4?q=minnesota+fall+colors&p=29
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html