Weekend Nature Activities: July 10–12

July is Park and Recreation Month, and people are encouraged to get out and enjoy their local parks. The National Recreation and Park Association has been celebrating this for 30 years. #JulyPRM30 Find Events & More

All events listed are free unless otherwise noted (however, for State Parks you need a vehicle permit $5 daily/$25 annually).
Enjoy the Great Outdoors of Minnesota!

 

———Friday———07/10/15
Nature Roaming
10–12 Minneopa State Park

Life of a Monarch Butterfly
10–2 pm Itasca State Park

Wildflower Walk at Bluestem Prairie SNA
10–11:30 am
Buffalo River State Park

Signs of Summer Shovel Point Hike
10–noon
Tettegouche State Park

Owl About Fort Snelling State Park
10–11 am
Fort Snelling State Park

Nature Photography: The Macro World
10–11:30 am
Afton State Park

I Can Fish! Kid’s Fishing Fridays
10:30–noon
Itasca State Park

Ant Mound Hike
10:30–11:30
Jay Cooke State Park

Tall Grass Story Time
noon–1 pm
Buffalo River State Park

Falls Loop Hike
1–2 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Nature Time at the Beach: Nature Journals
1–2 pm Whitewater State Park

Water Cycle
1–2 pm Become a water molecule, simulating the movement of water within the water cycle and showing how it doesn’t flow equally across the landscape, and discover the role of heat and gravity in the water cycle. Please meet at the Waterfall side of the park.
Minneopa State Park

Animal Antics
2–3 pm
Buffalo River State Park

I Can Fish – Shoreline Fridays
2–3 pm Jay Cooke State Park

Minnesota’s Birds of Prey
2–4 pm
Tettegouche State Park

Slithering Snakes and Leaping Frogs! —Jr. Naturalist
2:30–3:30 pm
Itasca State Park

Five Facts in Five Minutes: Wild Rice
2:30–4:30
Itasca State Park

I Can Fish!
3–5 pm
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

Double Lives of Dragonflies: Investigation Station
3–4 pm
Interstate State Park

Showing of Vanishing of the Bees for Adults
7–9 pm
Sibley State Park

Grunts, Chuckles, Snores and More
7–8:30 pm
Afton State Park

What’s the Buzz —for Kidz
7:30–8:30 pm Go on a bee hunt, act like a bee, and taste test honey to see what is the freshest of the fresh made by bees! This kid friendly program will allow you grown-ups to enjoy the watching of the award winning film “Vanishing of the Bees” peacefully. Little ones can join the naturalist for a kid-friendly program.  Vanishing of the Bees for Adults Film 7pm–9pm What’s the Buzz for Kids 7:30–8:30pm
Sibley State Park

Signs of Bigfoot
7:30–8:30 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Things That Go Bump in the Night —Campfire
7:30–8 pm
Itasca State Park

Wildlife Bingo!
7:30 pm
William O’Brien State Park

Creatures of the Night —Campfire
8–9 pm Father Hennepin State Park

Bat Chat
8 pm
Wild River State Park

Sing-Along —Campfire
8–9 pm Whitewater State Park

Cats on the Prowl
8–9 pm
Jay Cooke State Park

Discovering your Spidey Sense
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
9–10 pm

 

————Saturday———07/11/15
Birding at Bear Head
8–10 am
Bear Head Lake State Park

Trail Monkey Running Club
9 am Get together with other runners to explore Lake Bemidji State Park! Local long-distance trail runners Cris and Jill Bitker will lead the way with tips for getting the most out of off-the-pavement miles. This week’s run will be a preview of July 25’s Jog for the Bog 5K…for a start! Meet at the Visitor Center at 9 am. Wear comfortable running clothing; water and powerade supplied.
Lake Bemidji State Park

Intro to Archery for Women
9–11 am Here is your chance to learn how to shoot a bow in a safe, supervised setting.
Fort Snelling State Park

Intro to Archery for Women
9–11 am
Fort Snelling State Park

Archery in the Park 07/11–07/12/15
10 am–2 pm Here is your chance to learn how to shoot a bow in a safe, supervised setting. The Archery in the Parks program is designed for families and people of all ages and skill levels. You can get hands on instruction from a certified instructor along with experience with target practice. Learn a lifelong skill. Adult must accompany participants younger than 14 years of age. All equipment provided. Open shoot, stop by any time.
Big Stone Lake State Park

Itasca’s Presenters Under the Pines: Life of the Monarch Butterfly Display
10–2 pm Meet in the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Lobby
Itasca State Park

Morning Pollinator Hike
10–11:30 am
Sibley State Park

 

Owl About Fort Snelling
10–11 am
Fort Snelling State Park

Make Your Own Walking Stick
10–11:30 am
Whitewater State Park

Bog Walk
10–11 am
Savanna Portage State Park

Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Tour
10–noon
Itasca State Park

A Bug’s Life: Hands-on Investigation
10–11 am
Interstate State Park

Introduction to Fly Fishing
10–noon
Afton State Park

Monarchs / Butterflies
10–11 am
Rice Lake State Park

Basswood Rope Making
10 am
William O’Brien State Park

Five Facts in Five Minutes: Dazzling Dragonflies
10–noon
Itasca State Park

Friends of Wild River Annual River Clean-up —Volunteer opportunity
10–3 pm
Wild River State Park

Tree Detectives —Kids Activity
10:30–11:30 am
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

Archaeology at Father Hennepin State Park 07/11/15 – 07/15/15
10:30–11:30 am
Father Hennepin State Park

Basswood Bracelets —Junior Naturalists
10:30–11:30 am
Jay Cooke State Park

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs —Children’s Class
11 am
Maplewood State Park

Guided Bike Ride to Iona’s Beach
11:30–1:30 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Archery in the Park
noon–2 pm
Whitewater State Park

Archery in the Park
noon–2 pm
Glacial Lakes State Park

Family Geocaching for S’mores
1–3 pm
Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park, New Prague

Snake Behavior and Research
1–2:30
Wild River State Park

Archery in the Parks
1–3 pm
Fort Snelling State Park

Dragonflies of the North Shore Series
1–4 pm
Tettegouche State Park

Geocaching 101
1–3 pm
Upper Sioux Agency State Park

All About Owls
1–4 pm
Cascade River State Park

Itasca’s Forest Hike
1:30–2:30
Itasca State Park

Pictures of the Past
2 pm
William O’Brien State Park

Archery in the Park
2–4 pm
Father Hennepin State Park

Boat Building —Outdoor Kids
2–3 pm Kids of all ages come out and explore nature at your leisure and have fun at Itasca while hanging out at the swimming beach or playground. This program series allows kids to connect with nature through crafts and other hands-on activities. Topics vary with many of the programs focusing on life around the lake. Come and go at your leisure.
Itasca State Park (Meet by the Swim Beach/ Playground, south end of the picnic grounds on Lake Itasca)

Bumble Bee Watch —Citizen Science / Volunteer opportunity
2–3 pm Professional Scientists are calling all Citizen’s for help: Become a Citizen Scientist and participate in “Bumble Bee Watch,” where you’ll search for bees then get a picture and identify them online through the Bumble Bee Watch project. Help scientist find rare bees today! Meet outside the Interpretive Center on the benches. Bring a smart phone with a camera, your personal camera or borrow a digital camera from us. Sunscreen, hat, tick prevention, hiking shoes, and water bottle recommended. This program will earn you the Call of the Wildflowers Special Edition Card.
Sibley State Park

Pop-Can Fishing Rigs
2–3 pm
Afton State Park

Insects of the Prairie
2–3 pm
Frontenac State Park

Grass Class —Junior SNA Naturalist
2–4 pm
Felton Prairie SNA

Snakes Alive!
2–3 pm
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

Dirt at Bluestem Prairie —Junior SNA Naturalist
2–4 pm
Buffalo River State Park

Geocaching on the North Shore
2–4 pm
Tettegouche State Park

Teeny Tiny Tadpoles: Investigation Station
3–4 pm
Interstate State Park

Phenomenal Phenology
3–4 pm
Scenic State Park

Bugs and Blooms: Pollinator Hike
4–5 pm
Jay Cooke State Park

Wise Old Owls
6:30-7:30 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Slithering Snakes
7–8 pm
Tettegouche State Park

Live Eagle Program
7–8 pm
Whitewater State Park

Rad Bats!
7–8 pm
Sibley State Park

Go Batty for Bats
7–8 pm
Interstate State Park

Grassland Giants
7–8 pm
Buffalo River State Park

Animal Legends —Campfire
7:30–8 pm
Itasca State Park

Throwback Movie Night!
7:30 pm
William O’Brien State Park

Owls
8 pm
Wild River State Park

Noises of the Night
8–9 pm
Jay Cooke State Park

The People’s Bat Count
8:30–9:30 pm
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Bat Walk
8:30 pm
Wolsfeld Woods SNA

 

———Sunday———07/12/15
Get Up! Get Out! And GO! Fitness Walk
8:30–9 am
Itasca State Park

Creatures of the Night Hike
9–10 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Special Plants of Blanket Flower Prairie SNA
10–12:30
Buffalo River State Park

I Can Fish: Trout Fishing
10–noon
Whitewater State Park

Five Facts in Five Minutes: Traditional Birch Bark Uses
10–noon
Itasca State Park

Birding on the North Shore
10–noon
Tettegouche State Park

S is for Snail —Little Explorers Ages 3–6
10–11 am
Interstate State Park

Geocaching 101
10–11:30 am
Lake Carlos State Park

Archery in the Parks
10–noon
Fort Snelling State Park

Get in Touch with Nature
10 am
Wild River State Park

1,500 B.C. Camping at Kathio
10:30–noon
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

Nature Detectives: Who’s Been Here?
10:30–11:30 am
Jay Cooke State Park

Our Elusive Amphibians: Where Are They Hiding?
11–noon
Fort Snelling State Park

Wild Side Hike: Beaver Builders
11–noon
Gooseberry Falls State Park

The Bees Knees- Junior Park Naturalist
11–noon
Sibley State Park

Go ‘n’ Seine!
11–noon
William O’Brien State Park

A Berry Tasty Walk
11–noon
Interstate State Park

CCC History Hike
1–2 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Nature Time at the Beach: Mini Monsters
1–2 pm
Whitewater State Park

Tree ID Hike
1–2 pm
Jay Cooke State Park

Rock Talk on the Beach
1–3 pm
Tettegouche State Park

Archery in the Parks
1–3 pm
Fort Snelling State Park

Whose Scat is That?: Investigation Station
2–3 pm
Interstate State Park

Day Hill Hike
2–3 pm
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Five Facts in Five Minutes: Amazing Owls
2–4 pm
Itasca State Park

Totally Turtles! —Jr. Naturalist
2–3 pm
Itasca State Park

Stories in Stone
4–5 pm
Jay Cooke State Park

Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Bill and Julie Kaiser
7–9 pm
Itasca State Park

OWLS: The Mighty Mouse Hunters
8–9 pm
Jay Cooke State Park

Night Universe in the Park
8:30–10 pm
Lake Maria State Park

Creatures of the Night Hike
9–10 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

 

Upcoming week . . .

———Monday———07/14/15
Nature Time at the Beach: Rocks Rock!
1–2 pm
Whitewater State Park

Circle Time Under the Pines: T is for Trees
10:30–11:30 pm
Itasca State Park

Bugs and Blooms Walk
10:30–11:30 pm
Itasca State Park

Historic CCC Buildings Walk
1:30–2:30 pm
Itasca State Park

Old Timer’s Cabin, Open Tour
2–3:30 pm
Itasca State Park

 

———Tuesday———07/15/15
Nature Time at the Beach: Nature Games
1–2 pm
Whitewater State Park

Itasca’s 20th Annual Butterfly Hike
1–3 pm
Itasca State Park

Northeast Minnesota Adult Moose Mortality Study
7–8 pm Meet with our local Moose Project Field Biologist to learn about the ongoing moose research projects, which began during the 2012/2013 winter. No fee. This program is intended for ages 12 and older. Questions call park office 218-365-7229.
Bear Head Lake State Park (Meet at the Trail Center near the beach)

Batty Bats —Outdoor Kids
2–3:30 pm
Itasca State Park

Archery in the Park
9:30–11:30 am
Itasca State Park

Special Itasca SNA Tour *Pre-registration required.
10–noon
Discover Minnesota’s treasures on this tour of Itasca’s wilderness sanctuary, known as a Scientific and Natural Area (SNA). Often closed to the public and open only during scheduled times. Explore natural treasures in Minnesota’s Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) on several specialized tours throughout the summer. Join an Itasca State Park Naturalist this week as we discover the interesting dragonflies that use the towering old growth pine of the Wilderness Sanctuary SNA. Registration is required as group size is limited to 15 people. Bring insect repellant, sunscreen, and drinking water. Bring your vehicle for travel to SNA locations. Register: call 218-699-7252 or 218-699-7259.
Itasca State Park (Meet at Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center Parking Lot, bring your vehicle to drive to tour location)

Mighty Macro Invertebrates —Junior Park Naturalist
2–3 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

 

———Wednesday———07/16/15
Nature Time at the Beach: Poisonous Plants & Animals
1–3 pm
Whitewater State Park

Nature Play – Water World
1–2:30 pm
Jay Cooke State Park

Thursday Evening Trail Rides
6:30–8 pm There are four Minnesota State Trails around the metro area: Brown’s Creek, Gateway, Minnesota Valley and Luce Line State Trails. Come explore them and get some exercise at the same time. Rides will rotate between the four trails.
Gateway State Trail

Prairie Preschool
10:30–11:30 am
Buffalo River State Park

Geocaching Glory: Drop in Program
1–3 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

Falls Loop Hike
1–2 pm
Gooseberry Falls State Park

CCC History Hike
11–noon
Gooseberry Falls State Park

 

Upcoming month . . .

Monday, July 13
Far Out Mulch & Weed Party *Celebrate Community park open spaces for the Totally Tubular July 2015 Park and Rec Month!
7 pm Community urban forest and MNDoT Community Roadside Partnership site. Join Little Bohemia Neighborhood to distribute the remaining mulch for the 960 plants, trees, shrubs at Pleasant Place and start weeding the garden beds. In August the Neighborhood Night Out will be held at this location! Come check out all the new trees that were planted June 12 and 13!
Pleasant Place, Harrison Ave. and Garfield St.

Saturday, July 25
Far Out Mulch & Weed Party
10 am Community urban forest and MNDoT Community Roadside Partnership site. Volunteers will help distribute the remaining mulch for the 960 plants, tree, shrubs on location and start weeding. Next event Saturday, July 25, 10 am. Then Little Bohemia Neighborhood will have the Neighborhood Night Out at this location! Come check out all the new trees that were planted June 12 and 13!
Pleasant Place, Harrison Ave. and Garfield St.