MN Nature Activities May 8–14

Brrr it’s cold out there but don’t miss out on all the outdoor activities this weekend! St Paul’s Arbor Celebration teamed up with Eco Fest this year for a huge event and there will be FREE trees! And it’s opening fishing weekend. AND it’s international migratory bird day. Wow! Show your Minnesota hardiness and get out there to have some fun!

Fishing Info
05/14/16 – 02/26/17
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass – 2016 season -North and East of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County

05/14/16 – 05/27/16
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass – 2016 early Catch and Release season Only -South and West of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls except Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County

05/14/16 – 09/30/16
Lake Trout (summer) – 2016 season

Activities
05/12-14/16 Friends School Plant Sale

Minnesota State Fair Grounds

05/14/16 Gateway Trail Bird Walk
7 – 8 AM We will leave the parking lot at 7a.m. and return to the starting point at 8 a.m. We will identify as many species as we can by sight and sound during the hour. Bring binoculars if you have them. Questions? Contact Bob Bystrom at robertbystrom1@gmail.com No registration is needed but if you let Bob know you are coming he will send you an e-mail notice in case of cancellation by 6 a.m.
Gateway State Trail

05/14/2016 Warblers and More in Maplewood Nature Center
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood MN

05/14/16 Birding at Bear Head
8 – 10 AM Meet at the park office for a guided walk to listen and look for the variety of bird species within the park. A limited number of binoculars will be available for free checkout or bring your own. Dress for the weather, insect repellent is recommended. Current Minnesota State Park vehicle permits are required.
Bear Head Lake State Park

05/14/16 Guided Warbler Walk
8 – 9 AM What’s that I hear? The woods are filled with birds on the move! Take a hike with Scenic State Park assistant manager and hardcore birder Shawn Conrad to watch and listen for some of the 160 neotropical migrant birds of the St. Croix Riverway. Meet at the St. Croix Lodge.
St. Croix State Park

05/14/16 Bird Banding
8 – 11 AM Join retired National Park Service bird bander Jim Bryce for an interactive banding session. Help retrieve, identify and release migratory songbirds. Follow the signs to the pond near the headquarters office. Parking along the road.
St. Croix State Park

05/14/16 Spring Bird Survey —Volunteer
8-10:30 AM From Bog, through aspen and jackpine woods, we’ll search for returning birds. Binoculars and field guides are available on request. All levels of birders invited to participate.
Lake Bemidji State Park

05/14/16 MN State Parks and Trails License Plate Design Gallery
10 – 4 PM There’s a contest going on! Artists from around the state have submitted original art work to become the first-ever Minnesota State Parks and Trails license plate and all of these entries will be on display at the Fort Snelling State Park. Stop by and check them out, because soon you’ll get to vote for your favorite.
Fort Snelling State Park

05/14/2016 Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: A Spring Wildflower Walk
10:00 – 12:00 PM
MN Landscape Arboretum, Chaska MN

05/14/16 Eco Arts and Arbor Celebration
10 AM–2 PM
Harriet Island, St Paul

05/14/16 Spring Wildflower Walk
10 AM Spring ephemerals bloom in that brief interval between the soil’s warming and the leafing of the dense tree canopy. Come see these brief blooming beauties and learn more about them. This event will be led by the Friends of Wolsfeld Woods.
Wolsfeld Woods SNA

05/14/16 Carley Bluebell Festival
10 AM-2 PM Long ago, the depths of the glacial potholes were a mystery. Discover their unique measurements with the naturalist during quick activities in the glacial potholes area. We’ll take guesses on pothole depths and handout small prizes for the closest. The walking program includes some stairs and uneven rock. This is a great program for families. Meet at the visitor center.
Carley State Park

05/14/16 Ask the Roving Naturalist
10 – 2 PM Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park

05/14/16 Geocaching 101
10:30 – Noon Discover the fascinating challenge of geocaching and how you can use it to explore Minnesota State Parks’ hidden treasures. You will learn how to use a GPS unit, and then head out in the park to find some specially placed caches. A limited number of GPS units will be available for this modern-day treasure hunt. So please call the park office to sign up. Meet at the Visitor Center!
William O’Brien State Park

05/14/16 Wildflowers of Kathio
10:30 – Noon This is a 2-part program. We will begin indoors with a slide show illustrating many wildflowers that grow in the Mille Lacs area. We will then go on a trail walk to see what’s in bloom. The slide show will be 30 minutes long and the hike will take one hour. You are welcome to attend either or both parts of the program. Meet at the interpretive center.
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

05/14/16 BOW – Family Fishing on the Opener
10 – Noon Learn about types of fish, preparing equipment, bait and handling the fish once they’re caught. Equipment and fishing license provided for program only.
Bryant Lake Regional Park, Eden Prairie

05/14/16 Birding for You and Me
11 – 2 PM Stop by the Visitor Center Theater to learn all about birding. Take the birding challenge; test your knowledge of bird songs; play beakology and much more.
Gooseberry Falls State Park

05/14/16 International Migratory Bird Day
Join us for a day of activities including the Dayle Declercq Memorial Bird Hike led by the Wild River Audubon Society, programs on prairie preservation for sparrows and more.
Wild River State Park

05/14/16 Morel Mushrooms – REGISTRATION IS FULL
10 – Noon Visitors are welcome to attend the indoor portion of the program but only registered participants will join the outdoor field trip. Morels, Minnesota’s state mushroom, should be popping up along with our gorgeous spring wildflowers! On this easy walk, we’ll look for both.
Whitewater State Park

05/14/16 Mysterious Depths: Pothole Investigations for All Ages
12-12:30 PM Interstate State Park

05/14/16 Wildflower Walk
1 – 2 PM On this short easy walk you will see many favorite wildflowers including Dutchman’s Breeches, Trout Lily, Violets, Wild Ginger, hundreds of Marsh Marigolds, other Buttercups and thousands of False Rue Anemones! Bring your camera and transportation, as we drive a short distance to the trail head.
Whitewater State Park

05/14/16 Peregrine Falcon Live Bird Program
5 – 6 PM Have you ever seen a live Peregrine Falcon? Now is your chance! Come to the council ring to learn how wildlife biologists like Jacquelyn Fallon have helped bring this species back from the edge of extinction.
St. Croix State Park

05/14/16 International Migratory Bird Day
It’s not just you; today birders across the hemisphere will celebrate the wonder of migratory birds! Join us for free programs appropriate for birders of all ages and abilities. This is a great opportunity to introduce your friends and family to bird watching in a fun, interactive setting. We even have extra binoculars for you!
St. Croix State Park

05/14/16 Tick Talk
1–2 PM Kurt Pennuto of the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District will present this program on the types of ticks found in Minnesota. You’ll learn about their life cycles, where to find them and how to protect yourself from them.
Lake Maria State Park

05/14/16 Pothole Exploration Tour
2 PM Discover how lakes of lava and gushing glacial waters formed the park’s unique potholes as you journey over, under and through world-renowned rock features on this naturalist-guided tour. This 45-minute walk includes some uneven terrain and stairs. Meet at the visitor center.
Interstate State Park