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Get ready to celebrate a unique and lesser-known holiday on February 3 – National Cordova Ice Worm Day! This day is dedicated to honoring the tiny ice worms that live in the glaciers of Alaska's Prince William Sound. These fascinating creatures were first discovered in 1887 and have captured the interest of scientists and nature enthusiasts ever since. Despite their small size, ice worms play an important role in glacier ecosystems and are a vital part of the local culture in Cordova, Alaska. So let's take a moment to appreciate these amazing little creatures and learn more about them on this special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1887</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Ice Worm Discovery</div><div class='timeline-text'>Alaska's unique ice worms were first discovered, laying the foundation for future fascination and study of these glacier-dwelling creatures.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Scientific Research Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>Researchers begun to study the anatomy, physiology, and behavior of ice worms, providing scientific insight into these unique organisms.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1981</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cordova Ice Worm Festival</div><div class='timeline-text'>Cordova, Alaska introduces the annual Ice Worm Festival, celebrating the local fauna's crucial role in glacier ecosystems.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1993</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United States officially recognized the significance of the ice worm with its own national day, celebrated every February 3rd.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Studies on Ice Worms</div><div class='timeline-text'>As technology improves, research on ice worms continues to progress, exploring their interactions with climate change and providing vital data on Alaska's glacier ecosystems.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create an ice worm themed dessert</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative in the kitchen and make a dessert inspired by the Cordova ice worms, such as an ice worm shaped cake or ice cream sundae.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on an ice worm hunt</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and go on a hike to search for the elusive Cordova ice worms. Don't forget to dress warmly and bring a camera to capture any sightings!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a documentary about the Cordova ice worms</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Learn more about these fascinating creatures by watching a documentary about them. It's a great way to celebrate National Cordova Ice Worm Day and educate yourself at the same time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a local event celebrating the ice worms</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local community calendar for any events or festivals happening in honor of the Cordova ice worms. It's a great way to support your community and have some fun.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize an ice worm themed scavenger hunt</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Put together a scavenger hunt with clues and tasks related to the Cordova ice worms. It's a fun and interactive way to celebrate National Cordova Ice Worm Day with friends and family.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a unique and quirky holiday</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Cordova Ice Worm Day celebrates a bizarre creature that lives in the cold waters of Alaska. It's not every day that we get to recognize such an interesting and lesser-known animal, making this holiday truly special.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes environmental awareness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Cordova ice worm is an indicator species, meaning its presence or absence can reflect the health of its environment. By celebrating National Cordova Ice Worm Day, we are also bringing attention to the importance of preserving its habitat and other marine life.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings communities together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>In the small town of Cordova, Alaska, National Cordova Ice Worm Day is a highly anticipated event filled with parades, contests, and other fun activities. It's a great way for locals to come together and celebrate their unique town and the creatures that inhabit it.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Ice Worms can Only Live in Glacial Ice</h3><p class='facts-content'>Ice worms, which are native to the glaciers of Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon and Washington State, can only survive at temperatures close to freezing and invariably die if exposed to temperatures above 5°C (41°F).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Ice Worms Can Be Thousands in Number on One Single Glacier</h3><p class='facts-content'>These tiny worms thrive on glacial surfaces, where you might see a remarkable gathering of them – as many as a few thousand per square meter.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Ice Worms Can Reach up to 1 Inch in Length</h3><p class='facts-content'>Although they’re small creatures – usually only half an inch long – some ice worms can grow up to an inch in length.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Ice Worms are a Crucial Part of the Glacial Ecosystem</h3><p class='facts-content'>These little creatures contribute to the glacier's ecological system by consuming snow algae and consequently promoting nutrient cycling.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Ice Worms are Nocturnal Creatures</h3><p class='facts-content'>Ice worms come out on the surface of the glaciers only during the cooler hours, from late afternoon to morning, as exposure to sunlight can be deadly for them.</p></div></div>
National Cordova Ice Worm Day is celebrated on February 3 every year. In 2024 National Cordova Ice Worm Day will occur on a Saturday.
2023
Feb 3
Friday
2024
Feb 3
Saturday
2025
Feb 3
Monday
2026
Feb 3
Tuesday
2027
Feb 3
Wednesday
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