Weekend Nature Activities: May 8–11 Happy Mom’s Day!

Tra-la-la-la-la it’s spring in Minnesota! AND it’s mother’s day! AND it’s open fishing! AND it’s National Public Gardens Day! AND it’s international migratory bird day—well, duh. Hootenanny hurrah!
All events free unless otherwise noted. Happy outdoorsing! (Is that word? Now it is.) #MNawesome #MNnature #take-a-mom-fishing #NationalPublicGardensDay

[Oh, and that feature photo is a bit of a tease, sorry. Muskellunge (Muskie) 2015 season doesn’t start til June: 06/06/15 – 12/01/15 Got yur attention!]

——Friday, May 8——

Family Fishin’ $$$
4–6 pm Ages 6+ $5 Learn about fish and bait types, how to use equipment and how to reel ’em in! Equipment and license provided for the day. Register at 763-559-6700.
Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park (New Prague)

National Public Gardens Day Celebration
10 am–2 pm Free gate admission for all visitors, tree scavenger hunt all day, stop by visitor center for more stuff to do, including Let’s Talk Plants Walking Tour
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Morel Mushroom Hunting
1–3 pm On this easy walk, look for morels then given a good harvest sauté and sample them! Find out how to minimize the negative impacts of mushroom hunting. To sign u, email or call sara.holger@state.mn.us (507)932-3007 x 226
Whitewater State Park

——Saturday, May 9——

Take a Mom Fishing Weekend —In Minnesota, Moms can fish without a fishing license on Take-a-Mom Fishing weekend (May 9 and 10)

Fort Snelling 1–3 pm, meet at fishing pier (poles, bait provided; please register 612-725-2724)

Bird Walk
7 am–8 am Alright, Gateway, you win. Earliest birds get the worm! Leave the parking lot at Trail/Hwy 96 crossing and return to starting point. Objective is to i.d. as many species as possible! Sign up via email robertbystrom1@gmail.com
Gateway State Trail

Birding Hike
7 am–8:30 am Guided hike. Checklists provided.
Frontenac State Park (meet at campground host site 1).

International Migratory Bird Day & St. Croix Flyway Celebration
7:30–noon Bird hike at 7:30 (start at boat landing). Presentation on Costa Rican International Birding Festival and Sister Park relationship with this country (8:30 at Visitors Center). Intro to Birding presentation (9:30). Restorative Habitat presentation (10:30). Camera Club classes on nature photography from SRLs to smart phones (11:30). Photo display by nature photog Ben Thwaits (up all day). Program on migratory birds (7pm, amphitheatre).

Spring Warbler Walk
7:30 am Bring your binocs and bird books! Led by Friends of the Wolsfeld Woods.
Wolsfeld Woods SNA (park in NE corner of Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot)

Birding at Bear Head
8 am–10 am Guided walk to listen and look. Limited binocs available.
Bear Head Lake State Park

Bird Banding in the Big Woods Volunteer Activity
8 am–11 am Help capture, band, and record info about birds in the park.
Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park

Spring Bird Survey Volunteer Activity
8:30 am–10:30 am Bog, aspen, jackpine woods—search for and record returning birds. Binocs and field guides available upon request. All levels of birders invited to participate.
Lake Bemidji State Park

Fly-tying Clinic (for Women)
9 am–11 am For those with little to no experience fly-tying. Hands-on clinic. Register with Linda Radimecky 651-231-6968
Afton State Park

Camping Skills $$$
9 am–11 am 8+ $8 Camping refresher to learn the basics on setting up a tent, building a fire, cooking a simple meal with a camp stove.
Cleary Lake Regional Park (Prior Lake)

Geocaching for S’mores $$$
9 am–11 am Children must be accompanied by adult. $8 Learn geocaching and enjoy an adventure searching for this delicious treasure.
Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park (New Prague)

Buckthorn Haul Volunteer Activity
9 am–11 Join Friends of the Mississippi River for a 15-minute hike then haul out pre-cut buckthorn. Work is in an aquatic marine area, dress appropriately. Help protect a local trout stream in the Vermillion River area. Details, sign-up HERE.
Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area (Empire Township)

Featured MN Nature Volunteer Activity: West End Clean-Up
10–1 pm Transplant day lillies, rake leaves, enjoy the outdoors, celebrate Public Gardens Day and Moms! All moms will get a free green gift. Limited spots, please sign up HERE.
Harrison Ave. and Garfield St. (“Pleasant Place”), St. Paul MN

Spring Flower Photo Shoot: Digital Workshop
10 am–3 pm 12+ Pro photog Janet Nelson helps you make the most of spring’s quick and delicate appearances: close-ups, lighting, low-angle shots, and composition will be covered. Bring your digi camera and spare battery, perhaps tripod. Limited cameras available to borrow. Class limit: 15, call to reserve: 218-308-2300
Lake Bemidji State Park

Carley Bluebell Festival
10 am–2 pm Celebrate the abundance of bluebells at Carley State Park with a variety of activities planned all day, includign trout fishing, archery programs, and wildflower walks.
Carley State Park

Moms & Their Babes
10 am Get introduced to the wonderful creatures and their babies of Glacial Lakes. Family-friendly activities, story time, etc.
Glacial Lakes State Park

Family Fishing On the Open $$$
10 am–noon 6+, $6 Learn about types of fish and bait, how to prep your equipment, and what to do with the fish once ya catch ’em. Fishing license and equipment provided for the day. Register 763-559-6700.
Bryant Lake Regional Park (Eden Prairie)

Geocaching $$$
noon–1:30 pm Sign-up info and costs HERE
Tamarack Nature Center

——Sunday, May 10——

Bird Watching Trek
8 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 Rd, Carver)

Birding Stroll (for Adults)
9–9:30 am Bring your morning coffee/tea and start Sunday off with a relaxing morning walk along the river. Binocs available or bring your own. 1/2-mile walk led by naturalist.
Interstate State Park

Scout Sampler: Girl Scouts
10:30 am–4 pm Interactive programs to complete most of the steps for: Brownies Hiker, Brownies Bugs, Brownies Letterboxer, Juniors Flowers, Juniors Geocacher, Cadette Trees, Senior Sky. Hour-long sessions. Troppos may sign up for multiple programs. Email jenni.webster@state.mn.us
William O’Brien State Park

Bird Banding Demo
12:30–2 pm Join master bird bander Greg Munson for a close-up experience with birds and science.
Whitewater State Park

Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk
1 pm–2:30 Wear sturdy boots, perhaps bring a camera, join us on this 1-mile walk in the woods. Led by a naturalist.
Interstate State Park

Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk
1 pm Why bring cut flowers to mom when you can bring mom to the flowers and let them happily grow right where they want to grow.
Wild River State Park

—Seasons—

04/07/15 – 05/11/15 Lake Bronson State Park Sharp Tail Grouse Blind Viewing
04/15/15 – 05/28/15 SpringTurkey season-2015
04/18/15 – 09/14/15 Stream Trout in streams SE – 2015 season
04/18/15 – 09/30/15 Stream Trout in streams, except SE – 2015 season
04/25/15 – 02/28/16 Bowfishing – 2015 season
04/25/15 – 02/14/16 Bullhead, Redhorse, other rough fish Spearing – 2015 season
04/25/15 – 02/28/16 Sucker Spearing – 2015 season

05/09/15 – 02/28/16 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

05/09/15 – 02/28/16 Walleye, sauger, northern pike – 2015 season

05/09/15 – 05/22/15 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

05/09/15 – 09/30/15 Lake Trout (summer) – 2015 season

Call of the Wild Film Fest
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 . . .——

05/12 Fly-tying for Women 6–8 pm $12 Register: 763-559-6700, Silverwood Park, St. Anthony

05/12 Spring Ephemerals, 4:30–6:30 pm 4-mile hike, Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center

05/12 Climate Minnesota: Burnsville Convening, 5:30–8:30 Diamondhead Education Center 200 West Burnsville Parkway

05/13 Kayaking for Women Class, 5–8 pm $25, Register 651-429-8007, Wargo Nature Center, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes

05/13 Raingardens and Beyond Workshops 6–9 pm $15, Metro Blooms Champlin City Hall 11955 Champlin Drive SIGN-UP HERE

05/14 Per the Women’s Woodland Network: Farm Transition Primer for Women Farmers/Landowners, Pedal Pushers Café, Lanesboro
9 a.m. (coffee) program  9:30–1:30. RSVP for lunch to Caroline, 507-523-3366,  caroline@landstewardshipproject.org. Free with good-will donation. Primer for women farmers and landowners to focus on the peaceful and informed transition of land to another party. Details at https://landstewardshipproject.org/events/item/714.

05/15 – 05/17 Mentored Archery Turkey Hunt, $80 (incl. 2 nights lodging) Register 218-833-8628, Cedar Creek, East Bethel

05/15 – 05/17 Bow Hunting Archery Series Part 5 (Optional) Mentored Archery Turkey Hunt, $40 (incl. banquet), register 218-833-8628, Cedar Creek, East Bethel

05/15 BOW – Family Archery, 4–6 pm $7 learn the basics and shoot at targets, register 763-559-6700 Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park, New Prague

05/15 Wildflowers of Afton Walk, 7–8 pm, Afton State Park

05/16 Spring Daffodil Show 10 am–4 pm Come see the Daffodil Society of Minnesota’s spring show, with over 600 daffodil blooms in all sizes, shapes, and colors!, Backhmans 6010 Lyndale Aveue South

05/15 Rock the Barn Festival 3–7 pm $8 Dodge Nature Center, Info HERE