The Marion County Conservation Department released their April Nature Notes on Monday.

According to Marion County Naturalist Marla Mertz, the spring ephemerals are beginning to show themselves and pollination has already begun. Mertz also says that the first blooming flowers have brought more insects to the area, and encourages residents to enjoy the various things going on in nature as spring begins.

“So, some of the things that we can look for to begin with is the snow trillium has already been blooming. There’s also been a lot of insects along those flowers there. We’ll have blood root and spring beauties and Dutchman’s breeches and all the things that we look forward to in the spring that must bloom and go to seed before the leaves come on the tree, and so that’s the most important aspect of spring life, and getting again”

Hear more from Marla Mertz on an upcoming In Touch with South Central Iowa.