This hike is a unique opportunity to observe the “before” scene of a first-time bison introduction at Cedar Creek Reserve. Barb Delaney, Professional Plant Ecologist and Botanist, will describe plant micro-habitats within the bison enclosure area before the beasts arrive!

Explore strongly-rolling morainal terrain that supports a large tract of mature mesic hardwood forest with small vernal wetlands. This 350-acre SNA lies in the heart of central Minnesota's 65,000-acre Avon Hills region. The region is known for its constellation of high value natural and cultural features within the often strongly rolling terrain of the St. Croix Moraine.

Join Jyneen Thatcher and other MNNPS members in exploring a small dry prairie remnant in a city park in Oak Park Heights. The park has undergone restoration efforts by the environmental studies classes at Stillwater High School, including buckthorn removal and prairie reconstruction, but the only management in this remnant has been prescribed burns. We will add to the species list which currently includes plants such as prairie phlox, prairie violet, purple-lipped twayblade, lupine, and short prairie grasses.

FIELD TRIP IS FULL. An Overnight Trip to Multiple Sites in Black River State Forest. Meet in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, travel time of approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes from St. Paul, MN. Spend Saturday afternoon exploring various habitats. Stay overnight either at the Pigeon Creek Campground within the state forest, or at motels in Black River Falls. Spend the next morning exploring additional habitats and then travel back that afternoon.

Digital dragonflies in an analog world? Join us for a different kind of field trip with a focus on dragonflies. We will spend about a half hour in the classroom reviewing dragonflies and then spend about an hour out in the wetland looking for dragonflies, taking their photos when we can get them to pose and netting those that do not want to pose.

Come join other MNNPS members for a Saturday morning hike into the prairie communities of Crow-Hassan Park Preserve. Participants will be led by John Moriarty through the rolling hills, woods, lakes, wetlands and prairie of this 2,800 acre metro park reserve to view the native vegetation and wildlife that call this fantastic place home.

An Early Fall Sunday Morning Hike. Join Jyneen Thatcher and other MNNPS members in exploring a small dry prairie remnant in a city park in Oak Park Heights. The park has undergone restoration efforts by the environmental studies classes at Stillwater High School, including buckthorn removal and prairie reconstruction, but the only management in this remnant has been prescribed burns. We will add to the species list which currently includes fall species that include upright gentian, multiple species of Liatris, and rattlesnake master.