Posted: November 4, 2025

Written by: Hanna Meyer, Education & Outreach Coordinator

As the fall foliage dies back and before they are covered in snow, now is a great time to go fossil hunting in northeast Iowa! Most of the fossils found in Winneshiek County are approximately 487 to 443 million years old from the Ordovician Period. During this time, the land we now call Iowa was underwater, so our fossils often resemble ocean life. Have you found any of these common fossils?

Take the quiz here: Knowing Nature – Fossils

Want to learn more about some of the most recently discovered Winneshiek County fossils? Visit Decorah, the county-seat of Winneshiek County, for information about the Decorah Impact Crater, Giant Sea Scorpion, and other amazing fossil finds at this link: https://visitdecorah.com/decorah-impact-crater/

Each Knowing Nature quiz features species found in Winneshiek County. By the end of the year, we’ll have experience identifying over 100 different types of plants, animals, and fungus!

Want to dive deeper into learning about the wildlife of Winneshiek County? Track seasonal changes and natural wonders with our YouTube playlist: “Noting Nature.”

Thank you to Luther College professor, Birgitta Meade, for compiling these “Knowing Nature” quizzes and allowing us to share them with the wider public. Most of the photos in these quizzes were taken by Winneshiek County Conservation naturalist Larry Reis.