The American goldfinch, Iowa’s state bird, will be the image created on the lake ice in front of Lakeside Lab – Regents Resource Center for the ninth annual Okoboji Winter Games. Volunteers are expected to begin forming the human puzzle around noon on Saturday, Jan. 30, on the ice of West Lake Okoboji. No registration is needed.

The American goldfinch – sometimes referred to as the eastern goldfinch or wild canary – was designated the Iowa state bird by the legislature in 1933. Volunteers for People’s Environmental Art Project will create an image of a goldfinch on the ice of West Lake Okoboji on Jan. 30.

The Hygienic Laboratory operates a water chemistry laboratory at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory – Regents Resource Center in Milford.

The goldfinch was chosen because it is the state bird. The vibrant yellow and black birds usually stay in Iowa throughout the winter, and often may be seen eating sunflower seeds, their favorite food.

As in past years, the People’s Environmental Art Project committee held a contest to choose a design. To match the colors of the bird, volunteers will be asked to wear yellow jackets or will be given yellow ponchos to wear.

Judy Hemphill, a photographer from Spencer, will capture the image from a small plane as she has since the program began.

If the ice is too thin, the event will be held in the field next to First Lutheran Church, 1525 Three Cross Road in Milford where participants will gather to ride a shuttle to Lakeside Lab.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of Lakeside Lab, Lakeside’s community support organization, and Beck Engineering, which helps finalize the design that was chosen in the contest.

For more information, contact Jane Shuttleworth, educational coordinator at jane-shuttleworth@uiowa.edu or at 712-337-3669, extension seven.