ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- As the snow continues to melt and days continue to grow longer and longer, the Elkhart County Parks team is ready to kick off the spring season with a tour of two local nature preserves. 

The free tour will start at 8 a.m. on March 5, at the Elkhart Bog (51455 C.R. 15) with a one-mile out-and-back marsh meander. Then, the group will caravan over to Boot Lake Nature Preserve (51430 C.R. 3), 15 minutes away.

"The bog-to-bog tour will wind down with some laid-back waterfowl watching on Boot Lake’s floating boardwalk," organizers said. "Binoculars and spotting scopes will be available for use."

The tour is expected to last until 11 a.m., is open to ages 8+, and no registration required.

"All birding experience levels are welcome," organizers said. "Join us as we spend the spend the morning at Elkhart Bog and Boot Lake, seeking out bog-dwelling birds of all kinds."