Happy May Day! And Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Enjoy the great outdoors this weekend, rain or shine because it’s SPRING!!! Hunt some shrooms, clean up a favorite park, go for a hike, do some birding . . . You know the drill, all activities are free unless otherwise noted.
—Saturday—05/02/15—
Bird Watching Trek
8–10:30 Join us for a bird walk on the Long Meadow Lake Unit and learn about the birds that migrate to and through the refuge and in. Willow Flycatcher, Blue-winged and Prothonotary Warblers, White-throated; and White-crowned Sparrows are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington
Volunteer Training: Aquatic Invasive Species
9 am Citizens who are interested in informing the public about aquatic invasive species and how to slow their spread can receive AIS volunteer or ambassador training from the Watercraft Inspection Program staff. This training includes information on how to educate members of the public on AIS and how to prevent the spread. Once you have chosen a session please contact the Regional Supervisor listed to RSVP. Please include contact information in your RSVP in case of cancellations. Contact Keri Hull at 218-203-4357 or by email at keri.hull@state.mn.us.
Brainerd DNR Office (1601 Minnesota Drive)
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
9–6 Parade starts 10:00 at Wabasha running along Cesar Chavez to Ada in West St. Paul’s Del Sol District. Full festival events and activities schedule HERE.
Del Sol District, West St. Paul
Guided Walk
9:30–11:30 two hour walk through this floodplain forest located along the Minnesota River. Grand cottonwoods, basswood, and elm trees tower over the dynamically changing forest floor of this seasonally flooded landscape. Look for clues in the landscape that will indicate how the river has changed its course throughout the years. The trip will begin at the parking area located above the floodplain. Bring your cameras and field guides to capture the beauty found in this river landscape.
Chamberlain Woods SNA
Park Clean-Up Day
10–2
Big Stone Lake State Park
Birding Stroll for Adults
8:30–9 am
Interstate State Park
15th Annual Trout Day
8:30 am (register until 9)–3 Demos, seminars, s peakers, hot dog roast, door prizes (no trout stamp is needed for registered participants)
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
Morel Mushrooms
10–noon The Minnesota State Mushroom should be popping up! Let’s take a walk to find morels then we’ll saute them! To sign up, email sara.holger@state.mn.us or call (507) 932 3007 extension 226.
Whitewater State Park
Archery in the Park
10–1 Learn how to shoot a bow in a safe, supervised setting. Must be 8 years or older. Adults must accompany younger participants.
Maplewood State Park
Ask the Roving Naturalist Series
10:30–3:30
Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park
Birding for Beginners
10 am
Wild River State Park
Pothole Exploration Tour
noon–1
Interstate State Park
Green Touch Annual Park Open Volunteer Day
Lake Maria State Park 10–2
Lake Bemidji State Park 10am
Lake Bronson State Park 10–2
Old Mill State Park 10–2
Welcoming the Bluebirds
11 am–2 pm
Lake Carlos State Park
Frogs and Toads of Minnesota
1–2:30
Fort Snelling State Park
Wildflower Walk
1–2
Whitewater State Park
Guided Walk
1 pm This two hour guided walk will provide an opportunity to experience a terrace forest along the Cannon River with a canopy comprised predominately of silver maple. We will be on the lookout to discover some of the early spring bloomers that grow on the forest floor. Bring your cameras and field guides to capture the species found in this river setting. No mainland trails. Wear waterproof footwear appropriate for hiking on uneven, wet terrain. No public restrooms, no water. Rain or shine.
Cannon River Trout Lily SNA
DSLR Whitewater Photography
3–5 pm Exercise your camera and your legs on this hike along the Kettle River. Learn the basics to framing, lighting and shutter speed. Please register TODAY, May. Call (320) 245-2668 or send email to megan.johnsen@state.mn.us
Banning State Park
What’s Blooming Wildflower Walk
2–3 pm
Wild River State Park
BOW Family Archery $$$
2–4p m $7/class Ages 8+ Learn the basics of shooting safely and accurately with skilled instructors. Shoot at stationary targets and compete with your family in fun shooting games. All equipment provided. Registration: For questions or to register call Three Rivers Park District at 763-559-6700 or www.ThreeRiversParks.org
Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park, New Prague
Enviro Ed Cohort (Series)
9:30 am-12:00 pm
You are invited to join a dedicated group of educators focused on integrating and embedding Environmental Education and outdoor learning into every day instruction. See page 10 for details. Free! Registration is required; https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EECohort2014-15
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington
—Sunday—05/03/15—
Bird Tracking
9:00 am-1:00 pm
Join us as we gather on the slopes of the Minnesota River Valley to explore what the birds are telling us about our surroundings. We will split the time between the classroom and outdoors. Bring a notebook, pencils, and something to sit on outdoors. To register visit: http://www.mntracking.org/
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington
May Day Parade
noon–dusk The parade begins 12:00 at the corner of 25th St. E. and Bloomington Ave. S., and travels south on Bloomington to 34th St. E., where the parade turns west toward Powderhorn Park. After the parade has finished, the MayDay Tree of Life Ceremony and Festival begins, at approximately 3pm, in Powderhorn Park. The Festival ends at dusk. All the day’s activities and details HERE.
Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
Orienteering AR Tuneup $$$
9 am $35 and registration required: HERE
French Regional Park
Ask the Roving Naturalist Series
10:30–3:30
Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park
Measure the Potholes with a Naturalist
noon–1
Interstate State Park
Bird Banding Demo
12:30–2 pm Join Master Bird Bander, Greg Munson, for close-up experiences with birds. Program participants will have the opportunity to handle and release birds after they have been caught in nets, studied, observed and banded with an aluminum tag. Find out how this scientific tool helps wildlife researchers learn more about bird populations and their natural history, including where they go and how long they live.
Whitewater State Park
Invasive Species: Spotlight on Garlic Mustard
1–2:30 Invasive species threaten native populations by having adaptation that allow them to grow bigger, faster, and stronger. In today’s presentation you’ll learn about the natural history of one invasive species common to the metro area and then we’ll spend some time on the trail identifying and removing it
Fort Snelling State Park
Call of the Wild Film Fest: Duckumentary
3 pm
Join in on 60–90 minutes of films featuring our favorite wildlife and their unique behaviors, habitat needs, and special adaptations. Experience the drama of survival in the wild and discover how community partners work together to protect habitat for wildlife. Recommended for all ages.
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington
Upcoming . . .
May 4
Bird Watching Trek
8:00 am-10:30 am Join us for a bird walk on the Rapids Lake Unit and learn about the birds that migrate to and through the refuge and in. Willow Flycatcher, Blue-winged and Prothonotary Warblers, White-throated; and White-crowned Sparrows are a few of the species we will be looking for. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather.
Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center, 15865 Rapids Lake Road, Carver
—Seasons—
5/1 Bear Hunt Lottery Deadline
5/9–2/28/2016
Walleye, sauger, northern pike – 2015 season
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass – 2015 season -North and East of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County
5/9–5.22 2015 Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass – 2015 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
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