Here are some questions to help investigate and celebrate Groundhog Day at your school nature area. Groundhogs are woodchucks. Look for groundhog signs such as tracks or possible den sites. Emergence from hibernation is a natural sign of spring.
Groundhogs are also abundant and commonly recognized.
In Europe, farmers once watched for the emergence of the bear from hibernation. When bears became less common, they watched for hedgehogs or badgers. But sunny winter days, when shadows can be seen, are often very cold because clouds are not insulating the earth. Groundhog Day is the same day as a Christian holiday, Candlemas Day. Traditionally, if Candlemas Day has inclement weather then spring would come soon.