Minnesota Master Naturalist

To register, call Hartley Nature Center at 218-724-6735

Intro to Nature Sketching
February 12th- March 19th, 2010
six Friday afternoons
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Fee: $175 Hartley members, $225 non-members; all materials included
Become a better observer of nature, and connect with your favorite plants and animals through sketching. Experiment with different media, learn some new drawing techniques and let out your inner artist!

Intro to Insects
March 9-30, 2010
four Tuesday evenings
Time: 6-8 p.m.
$65 Hartley members, $85 non-members
A short course in entomology for adults. We will explore the anatomy, behavior, ecology and evolution of this most diverse and beautiful group of animals, with a focus on local insects.

The instructor for both classes is Rachel MaKarrall, local artist, biologist, and MN Master Naturalist volunteer.

The Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe is when we light our trails with luminaries and then invite park visitors to ski, snowshoe or walk those trails during the evening. It's a fun event that usually attracts hundreds of participants. Because it takes a lot of set up to hold the event, we are looking for some volunteers to help us out.

What the volunteers do: A set-up crew sets out the candles in cups or paper bags. The lighting crew goes out just before the event and lights the candles. The take-down crew picks up the cups, candles and bags. All involve a lot of bending over. The set-up and take-down crews may have to carry a backpack or pull a sled with supplies. For the snowshoe trail, we have snowshoes to borrow if needed. On the ski trails, volunteers must have their own equipment and the ability to ski an easy trail.

Both Jay Cooke and Gooseberry Falls State Parks could use some volunteers. The events are on two separate weekends. People do not have to volunteers for both events. Here are the details:

Date: Friday, February 12
Location: Jay Cooke State Park
Contact Kris Hiller kris.hiller@state.mn.us (218) 384-4610 if you're interested or want more info.

We are especially looking for people to help with our snowshoe trail, although we won't turn away anyone volunteering to help with the ski trail. We divide our volunteers into three teams.

Set-up teams work from 1 - 3 pm, the lighting the candles crew from 5 - 6:15 pm and the pick-up crew from 9 pm - till we're done (usually 10 pm). You can volunteer for whatever crew(s) you have time for. At Jay Cooke, we are currently short on the lighting and take-down crews.

Date: Saturday, February 20
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park
Contact: Paul Sundberg paul.sundberg@state.mn.us (218) 834-3855 x.226 if you're interested or need more info

The folks at Gooseberry Falls are especially looking for help with take-down, but again they would be happy with other help too. Their work times are Set-up 4-6 pm, Lighting 4:30 - 6:15, and take-down at 8:30 - 9:30 pm.

Registration: online at www.minneapolisparks.org or call 612-313-7725.
Contact: Jamie McBride, 612-313-7725, jmcbride@minneapolisparks.org

Night Owl Hike
Location: Robert's Bird Sanctuary
Date: Saturday, February 6th
Time: 5:30 to 7:00 PM
Fee $5
Take an evening walk of the park with the chance to hear or see one of the many owl species of Minnesota. A guide will lead you through the park as well as through the life of an owl. Meet at the western gate near the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

Sunset Snowshoe Hike on the Chain of Lakes
Date: Sunday February 14
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM
Fee: $15
Snowshoe on the Chain of Lakes at sunset, looking for wildlife and viewing wildlife areas that are inaccessible during warmer months. Snowshoes provided. Meet at the North Beach parking lot at Lake Calhoun on Excelsior Boulevard.

Family Programs

Come Out and Play Family Nature Club
"Come out and Play" is a free, no-registration, no-obligation program sponsored by Minneapolis Parks that encourages families to get out and enjoy nature! Research shows that kids who spend time in nature are more relaxed, sleep better, and enjoy better physical health than those who spend the majority of their time indoors. Fall has us in its crisp embrace and winter is not far behind, let's enjoy it! Get outside and have some fun exploring your wonderful urban park system!

Join a play group leader and their kids for some completely unstructured, un-directed play in nature! We do this monthly and encourage families with children to join us. Skip the constructed playgrounds or the "indoor parks" for a day and join us in a natural setting. Each month we'll pick a new location in a Minneapolis Park. We'll let you know where the parking is, the deal with bathrooms, and even provide all the equipment you and your little ones need to have fun in nature. Kids of all ages are welcome, including (of course) babes-in-arms. Strollers are welcome but we are not always on paved trails. There is no charge for attending, it's a free playgroup. No registration needed, just show up! Rain, sleet or snow, its fun to be outside. Please bring drinking water, warm clothes, and snacks if desirable. Many families bring food for a picnic lunch as well. Please dress for cool weather. A Cool Weather tip is to dress in layers! A hat, mittens, and wind-resistant outer layer are suggested. Wearing a hat is the best way to stay warm outdoors.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 27
Time: 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Location: Minnehaha Park - 4801 S. Minnehaha Park Dr
Where to Meet: The Minnehaha Park Pavilion. From there we'll head out to see the falls at overlooks and walk along the high bluffs along the gorge of the creek. We'll find good places to explore along the edge of the woods and open areas near the falls.
Parking: There is a pay lot on Godfrey Parkway just east of the Minnehaha Ave traffic circle. Free street parking is also available just south of the traffic circle on Minnehaha Ave. Bathrooms are available at the pavilion.

Park Information: The 193-acre park features a 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs and river overlooks. The park contains oak, elm, silver maple, basswood, hackberry and cottonwood trees, as well as native and prairie woodland wild flowers.
For more information or to be added to the mailing list contact Jamie (above).
Updated information is also posted at minneapolisparks.org/natureclub.

Children's Programs

Nature Nuts: Beasts and Feasts
Four - one hour sessions, 4 weeks in a row.
Learn about winter animals and what they eat while playing games, reading stories, and preparing for tasty treats. Forage like a squirrel, overeat like a bear, learn tasty recipes for quick and easy winter snacks.

Dates: Mondays, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15
Time: 10 to 11a.m.
Location: Painter Recreation Center - 620 W 34th Street
Contact: 612-370-4911

Dates: Mondays, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15
Time: 10:30 to 11:30a.m
Location: Sibley Recreation Center - 1900 E 40th Street
Contact: 612-370-4954

Date: Wednesdays, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17
Time: 9:30 to 10:30a.m.
Location: Windom South Recreation Center - 5843 Wentworth Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4980

Nature Nuts: Play Group
Come with your little one to play and have fun in nature with other children and parents/guardians. Each day will be different but will have nature themes including flowers, bugs, and birds. Most of this play group will occur outside so pull on your winter boots and hats for some outdoor winter fun! For kids up to age 5 with an adult. This is a Parent/Child program.

Date: Thursdays, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4
Time: 10 to 11a.m.
Location: Kenwood Recreation Center - 2101 W Franklin Ave
Contact: 612-370-4941

Dates: Thursdays, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4
Time: 10:30 to 11:30a.m.
Location: Nokomis Recreation Center - 2401 East Minnehaha Parkway
Contact: 612-370-4923

Nature Nuts: Winter Sensations
Four - one hour sessions, 4 weeks in a row.
Winter is not just white and silent. Lets explore the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the season. Listen to the crunch of winter ice, look through ice see frosty patterns and find out how other creatures use their senses to get through the Minnesota winter.

Dates: Tuesdays, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4
Time: 10 to 11a.m.
Location: King Recreation Center - 4055 Nicollet Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4908

Dates: Wednesdays, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10
Time: 10:30 to 11:30am
Location: Brackett Recreation Center - 2728 39th Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4924

Date: Mondays, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8
Time: 10 to 11a.m
Location: Creekview Recreation Center - 5001 Humboldt Ave N
Contact: 612-370-4965

Nature in the Neighborhood: Mad Science
Four - one hour sessions, 4 weeks in a row.
Put on your lab coats and get ready for experiments. We'll combine silly experiments and crafty projects to make those cold winter days warm. Kids will take home natural creations, concoct edible treats, and make everyday items from recycled material.

Dates: Mondays, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15
Time: 4 to 5pm
Location: Hiawatha School Recreation Center - 4305 E 42nd Street
Contact: 612-370-4952

Dates: Mondays, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15
Time: 4 to 5pm
Location: Keeywadin Recreation Center - 3030 E 53rd Street
Contact: 612-370-4956

Nature in the Neighborhood: Nature's Theatre
Four - one hour sessions, 4 weeks in a row.
Explore animal and human folklore and how they relate to nature. There are many myths and legends to learn from. Kids will learn about stories from many cultures and create an original production complete with costumes, props and script. Parents and friends are invited to come watch the play on the last day of class.

Dates: Wednesdays, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3
Time: 3:30 to 4:30p.m
Location: Sibley Recreation Center - 1900 E 40th Street
Contact: 612-370-4954

Dates: Tuesdays, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2
Time: 3:30 to 4:30p.m.
Location: Bryant Square Recreation Center - 3101 Bryant Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4907

Dates: Tuesdays, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4
Time: 4:30 to 5:30p.m.
Location: Linden Hills Recreation Center - 3100 W 43rd Street
Contact: 612-370-4913

Dates: Tuesdays, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11
Time: 5 to 6p.m.
Location: Luxton Recreation Center - 112 Williams Ave SE
Contact: 612-370-4925

NATURALIST 'ROUND UP'
one hour sessions, up to 8 weeks in a row).
This program is meant for parks where kids hang out but don't sign-up for classes. Naturalists will "round up" available kids for fun, hands-on activities and games. We can include portions of other programs listed in this catalog - tell us what you're interested in. Topics will vary based on the kids' interest and age.

Dates: Mondays, 2/8, 2/15, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22
Time: 4 to 5p.m.
Location: Central Gym - 3400 4th Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4918

Dates: Wednesdays, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3
Time: 4:30 to 5:30p.m.
Location: Elliot Recreation Center - 1000 East 14th Street
Contact: 612-370-4772

Location: Fairview Recreation Center - 609 29th Ave N
Contact: 612-370-4922
Dates: Wednesdays, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24
Time: 4:30 to 5:30p.m.

Dates: Mondays, 2/8, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15
Time: 5 to 6p.m.
Location: Harrison Recreation Center - 503 Irving Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4951

Dates: Thursdays, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18
Time: 4 to 5p.m
Location: Lynnhurst Recreation Center - 1345 West Minnehaha Parkway
Contact: 612-370-4914

Dates: Tuesdays, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23
Time: 4:30 to 5:30p.m.
Location: McRae Recreation Center - 906 East 47th Street
Contact: 612-370-4909

Dates: Fridays, 2/12, 2/19, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19
Time: 4:30 pm to 5pm
Location: Powderhorn Recreation Center - 3400 15th Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4960

Dates: Mondays, 2/8, 2/15
Time: 4 to 5pm
Location: Stewart Recreation Center - 2700 12th Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4932

Date: Tuesdays, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2
Time: 4 to 5pm
Location: Whittier Recreation Center - 2600 Grand Ave S
Contact: 612-370-4966

Dates: Fridays, 2/12, 2/19
Time: 7 to 8:00pm
Location: Windom Northeast Recreation Center - 2251 Hayes Street NE
Contact: 612-370-4905

Fish-killing virus has invaded Lake Superior

There appears to be no way to thwart the deadly virus that has taken a foothold in the Duluth-Superior Harbor and elsewhere.
By: Sam Cook, Duluth News Tribune

A fish stricken with VHSLake Superior's newest troublesome invasion won't come from a giant Asian carp after all, but from a tiny virus that already has caused big fish die-offs along the eastern Great Lakes.

Researchers at Cornell University announced Wednesday that they have found fish-killing VHS virus in fish samples from Lake Superior, including the Twin Ports harbor.

A small number of fish from Superior Bay and St. Louis Bay, as well as some from Paradise and Skanee Bays in Michigan, tested positive for the virus.

"It's another sad day for the Great Lakes,'' said Phyllis Green, superintendant of Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior.

The research team spent several days in June collecting and sampling healthy fish in Lake Superior. Nearly 900 fish were collected from the lake. The finding means the disease has spread across all of the Great Lakes.

"It's very unfortunate but not unforeseen. ... It's obviously going to change how anglers and management agencies conduct business,'' said Brian Borkholder, fisheries biologist with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Minnesota and Wisconsin already have rules and guidelines in place to limit the spread of other invasive species, so anglers and boaters may be asked only to step up efforts as opposed to making major changes.

"Because of [other] invasive species, anglers have already had to deal with issues such as draining livewells, disposing of bait properly and spraying or drying their boats before going to other waters. This will just heighten things a little bit," said Roy Johannes, DNR aquaculture and fish health consultant in St. Paul.

Bulging eyes

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia is harmless to people but often lethal to fish. VHS can cause bleeding in fish tissue, including internal organs. Sick fish often appear listless, have bulging eyes, swim in circles or hang just below the surface.

VHS was first found in the eastern Great Lakes in 2005. As of 2009 it had been confirmed as far west as Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin. It has been found in 28 Great Lakes species and killed fish from more than a dozen species. In Lake Huron, VHS was found in whitefish, walleye and Chinook salmon. Farther east, it has killed muskie, perch, drum and emerald shiners, in some cases by the thousands.

The long-term effects of VHS on fish populations, commercial and recreational fishing and tourism remain unknown. It's also not known how well the cold-water disease will thrive in cold waters of Lake Superior or the slightly warmer-water estuaries like the lower St. Louis River and Twin Ports harbor.

Supporters of stronger regulations to thwart invasive species say VHS is only the latest of 180 species to invade the lakes.

"This is what happens when you don't have proper regulatory protections in place,'' said Henry VanOffelen, natural resource scientist for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. "What's going to come next? Are we going to keep delaying action until something else comes down the lakes?"

Local experts say they aren't surprised by the finding because the Great Lakes are connected by water and ship traffic. Since VHS can't be eradicated, efforts will turn to limiting VHS' spread to inland waters -- especially convincing anglers and boaters to take precautions.

"I would hope the gravity of the situation will change the way anglers and recreational boaters move their boats around and clean their boats and take seriously the threat of getting VHS into the inland waters of Minnesota," Borkholder said.

Dennis Pratt, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist in Superior, said VHS so far hasn't caused major problems here. It's not clear how long the disease has been in local waters, although tests in 2008 and earlier found no infected fish.

"The interesting thing is that we haven't seen any mortalities [fish die-offs] yet," Pratt said. "Mortalities are usually caused by a combination of things: a virus along with fish being stressed, such as during a warm period, or high-water events or spawning periods."

"The important thing, locally, is to tell the DNR if you do see a major number of dead fish -- and be vigilant in trying to contain it,'' Pratt added.

Ballast regulation?

Minnesota and Wisconsin agencies have moved to restrict transportation of live bait across state lines to help slow VHS. Agencies, mostly the DNR, also are changing how they move fish for stocking programs, especially around Lake Superior, to prevent moving potentially contaminated fish into other waters.

Both Minnesota and Wisconsin also are moving to require that Great Lakes' ship's ballast water be treated before being released to kill invasive species in ballast tanks. It's believed many foreign species in the Great lakes, including possibly VHS, may have moved around by hitchhiking in ballast water. Other say the disease may have arrived in fish that simply swam in from the ocean, like sea lamprey.

Ship operators already have agreed to avoid taking in ballast from waters infested with VHS, and saltwater ships are supposed to flush their ballast tanks at sea. But it appears those efforts, and new regulations still years from taking full effect, are too late to stop VHS from spreading to Lake Superior.

Dave Zentner, Duluth angler and natural resource activist, said he's angry that more wasn't done sooner to stop VHS and other species from moving into Lake Superior. Zentner and several local organizations were part of an effort that tried but failed to force federal agencies to act against VHS by regulating ballast water. Their lawsuit was dismissed in federal court.

"This (discovery) illustrates the utter failure of the state and federal regulatory and legal systems, especially federal, to protect our natural resources,'' Zentner said. "Now all we can do is try to keep it from spreading."

Location: campus of Saint John's University, Collegeville
Contact: Sarah Gainey, 320.363.3133, sgainey@csbsju.edu

Volunteer shifts range from a few hours to the entire day. We offer refreshments for volunteers, as well as a bag lunch for those who stay the entire day. Volunteers are also able to see the keynote 'Fascinating Loons' by Stan Tekiela

Shifts and volunteer needs:

Set up: 7-8:00 am
Helping set up tables, signs, etc... before the conference starts

Registration Table: (sign up for one or more):
8-10:00am, 10-12;00pm, 12-2:00pm, 2-4:00pm
Check in participants, speakers, and volunteers

Classroom Monitors: 5 different shifts (sign up for one or more):
11:00-12:00, 12:00-1:00, 12:45-1:45, 1:45-2:45, 2:45-3:45
Introduce speaker, give announcements, direct people to correct classrooms, etc.

Exhibit Hall: 4 different shifts (sign up for one or more):
8-10:00am, 10-12;00pm, 12-2:00pm, 2-4:00pm
Help exhibitors set up their booths, monitor refreshments, direct people to classrooms, etc.

Hall Monitors: 4 different shifts (sign up for one or more):
8-10:00am, 10-12;00pm, 12-2:00pm, 2-4:00pm
Positioned in hallways to help people find their way through the buildings

Lunch: 11:30-1:00
Hand out lunches to participants and speakers

Floater: 8:00-12:00 or 12:00-4:00
Be helpful with whatever is needed

Clean up: 3:30-5:00
Self explanatory

Website: www.qhnc.org
To register: 507-281-6114

Necedah Wildlife Refuge and Wisconsin Prairie Chicken Trip
Dates: Depart Sat. April 24th 8 am, Return Sun. April 25th 4 pm
Fee $170 non-member,$150 Member
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge's 44,000 acres are home to a wide variety of interesting species including: Timber Wolves, Whooping Cranes and Karner Blue butterflies. North of Necedah in the Buena Vista Grassland, lives our region's largest population of Greater Prairie Chickens. We'll depart Saturday morning from Rochester for an afternoon of exploring the varied habitats of the Necedah refuge. Late Saturday afternoon we'll make our way to the Steven's Point area where we will retire early at a local motel. Sunday morning will find us up hours before dawn to meet a graduate student at the grasslands and be led to our plywood box observation blinds. At first light we'll hope to be greeted by the sights and sounds of one of nature's amazing historic prairie spectacles, the booming of the Greater Prairie Chicken. We will return to Rochester by 4 pm. (Fee includes transportation, double occupancy lodging, and blind fee - participants will pay for their own meals.)

Winter Tree Id
Date: Saturday February 20
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Fee $10 non-member, $6 member
Advanced training for Minnesota Master Naturalists or any tree loving adult, this class will focus on characteristics that can be used to identify deciduous trees when leaves are not present. Lenticels, vascular bundle scars, bud scales, terminal growth scars, bark patterns, tree silhouettes, etc., will all become more familiar as you hone your ability to identify our local trees in winter. Come dressed for both indoor and outdoor work.

Backyard Urban/Suburban Chicken Ranching
Date: April 30
Time: 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Fee: $10 member, $6 member
Keeping up to three hens as backyard pets in Rochester is legal with a permit. A few hens make quiet, inexpensive and entertaining environmental backyard pets. They will also reduce your need for a garbage disposal by converting food waste into fresh eggs and fertilizer. Learn the basics of keeping urban chickens. Following the class, we'll board the Quarry Hill Critter Coach for a visit to a local backyard chicken ranch.

Prairie and Pie Series
Come for one or all three of these prairie experiences to learn more about this beautiful and interesting natural system. To explore how the prairie is like a pie, we'll of course have to sample a variety of tasty pies as well.

What is a Prairie: History and Overview (and pie)
Date: April 10, 2:00-3:30 pm
Fee $10member, $6 non-member
Join Quarry Hill naturalist Kirk Payne for a slide show tour of our region's prairie history. Discussion will focus on some of the special plants and animals that make a prairie. Pie is included.

Prairie Management (and pie)
Date: May 1
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Fee: $10 non-member, $6 member
How are prairies maintained? We'll look at what can be required to manage a prairie, focusing on the use of fire. If weather conditions allow, we'll perform a small prescribed prairie burn. And, we'll eat some pie.

Hayden Prairie Picnic: A visit to a National Treasure (and pie)
Date: June 5
Time: 9:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: $25 non-member, $20 member
We will travel by Quarry Hill Critter Coach about an hour south to Iowa's Hayden Prairie Preserve. There, surviving in the middle of corn and soybean country are 240 acres of some of the finest native tall grass prairie remaining on planet Earth. We'll spend the morning exploring... seeing early flowers like prairie shooting star, blue-eyed grass, prairie smoke and cream wild indigo... and hearing prairie birds like bobolinks and sedge wrens. We'll then travel to a nearby county park for a simple lunch of breads, cheeses, summer sausage and hummus, along with fresh fruit, veggies, beverages, and... of course, some pie.

Contact: Barb Liukkonen, UMN Water Resources Center liukk001@umn.edu

The University of Minnesota's Water Resources Center is developing a Water Sustainability Framework for the next 25 years to protect and improve Minnesota's precious water resources. Because the state's surface and ground waters belong to the people, we are gathering public opinion via surveys and listening sessions on a range of water issues. Use this link and complete an online survey to make sure your opinions are heard. It's anonymous, quick, and easy. Responses will be incorporated into the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework that will be presented to the State Legislature January 2011. If you're unable to access the survey online, call 612-624-8292 and we'll send you a written copy. Please feel free to forward this message to your colleagues, members, or constituents.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BL5KNPB

While you're on the WRC web site, you can sign up for regular email updates on the progress of the Framework and find out more about when and where Listening Sessions will be held around the state.

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Minnetonka Community Center

Chapter meeting will follow a one-hour presentation from Janet Van Sloun Larson, Natural Resource Restoration Specialist, who will discuss proper winter technique to cut and stump treat buckthorn. Janet will host a "hands-on" volunteer project at Minnetonka's Purgatory Park on February 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and on February 20 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Meeting space is limited. Please email caculb@aol.com (note WMC on subject line) to reserve a meeting spot or volunteer at Purgatory Park.

Be among the first to own this amazing life story of one of Minnesota's best known naturalists - Walter J. Breckenridge.

Breckenridge (1903-2003), known to his friends and colleagues as 'Breck,' began his career as an exhibit preparator and museum curator before being named Bell Museum director in 1946 until his retirement in 1970. Known for his paintings of birds and wildlife settings, Breckenridge also is widely recognized for pioneering the craft of wildlife filmmaking - many done in passionate response to human pressures facing animals and their ecosystems.

Breckenridge is a key figure in Minnesota's environmental heritage. His scientific work and environmental advocacy led to the establishment of parks, wetlands and wildlife areas including Nerstrand Woods State Park, the Springbrook Nature Center and the University's Cedar Creek Natural History Area.

Cost: $29.95 + tax +$5 shipping

Make checks payable to the University of Minnesota. For credit card holders, contact the Bell Museum of Natural History at the University of Minnesota, 612-624-9660.

For more information and to register: www.extension.umn.edu/pesticides/2010/eab or www.mda.state.mn.us/invasives/eab

Training Workshop Locations and Information:

Tuesday, February 16
Fort Snelling State Park
Thomas Savage Visitor Center - Conference Rm 101
Snelling Lake RoadSt. Paul
(Stop at park gate for work permit and use your workshop registration for I.D. for this workshop location/date)

Thursday, February 18
USDA Ag Research Service
NC Soil Conservation Research Lab
Conference Room 803
Iowa Avenue
Morris

Tuesday, February 23
Riverland Community CollegeSkylight
Room 2200 Riverland Drive
Albert Lea

Thursday, February 25
Northland Arboretum Lower Level
14250 Conservation Drive
Brainerd

Tuesday, March 2
St. John's Arboretum / Museum
St. Johns University
Collegeville

Thursday, March 4
Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
4100 220th Street W
Farmington

2010_First_Detector_Brochure_7.pdf

Do you ever wonder how you can use A GreenPrint for Minnesota: State plan for environmental education in your work? Or use it better? Do you find yourself at a loss in explaining to others what the GreenPrint can do to help further your efforts and your organization's goals?

If so, take a look at the new GreenPrint videos starring Minnesota educators and others just like you. Nine people from the county, state, non-profit, federal, and higher education worlds share their experiences in these brief online videos. The videos, two to six minutes in length, answer such questions as "How do you use the GreenPrint?", "How does the GreenPrint influence your environmental education work?, "How do you find it helpful?", and "Do you feel it's important to have an environmental education state plan?".

Whether you use these videos to strengthen your work, educate others on the GreenPrint, or view them as a simple reminder of this valuable tool at your fingertips, do so with the reassurance that we in Minnesota have a plan for our environmental education efforts, and it's a good one.

To view the videos, and the GreenPrint, go to www.seek.state.mn.us/greenprint.

(Released January 21, 2010)

More than 32,000 citizens donated services valued at $8.8 million during 2009 to assist the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with a variety of projects and programs. That's the equivalent of an extra 209 full-time staff.

To learn more, click on this link: http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2010/01/21/volunteers-add-88-million-in-value-to-dnr/ .

(Released January 21, 2010)

Local conservation organizations and outdoors clubs that want to improve wildlife habitat have until Friday, Feb. 12, to apply for a Heritage Enhancement Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

To learn more, click on this website: http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2010/01/21/funding-available-for-wildlife-projects-2/ .

Date: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 8:00 am to 4:40 pm
Location: Radisson Hotel, 2540 Cleveland Ave No, Roseville, take 35W to County Road C (Exit 24), go south on the Eat Frontage Road (Cleveland Ave)
Pre-register by February 22, 2010
Website for registration and more information: http://for-wild.org/chapters/twincities/conference.html
Contact: 612-293-3833, designwithnature.conference@gmail.com

Finding Field Days and Water Festivals is easier than ever! Visit http://www.extension.umn.edu/FieldDays to find out where and when they are taking place in Minnesota.

Contact: Nate Meyer, meyer179@umn.edu, (888) 241-0724 ext. 6473

Events Seeking Presenters and Volunteers

WaterFest 2010
A family celebration of our clean lakes and an opportunity for fun hands-on learning about clean water, wildlife, and land and water conservation. Highlights include: a Raindrop Mystery Hunt, Voyageur canoe rides, fishing lessons, rain garden tours and native plant give-away, live animals, water games, Hmong Youth Dancers, landscaping and watershed exhibits, the 18th Annual Solar Boat Regatta..

Date: May 22, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Phalen Park Pavilion, North of Phalen Drive & Wheelock Parkway, St. Paul

Red River Water Festival
The objective of the Festival is to enable students to learn how to gather information needed to make informed decisions about water use and protection, increasing their awareness and appreciation of water resources in our area. Each class participates in an opening presentation and four (or eight) separate 20 minute hands-on presentations. Presentations include information and interactive activities on a variety of topics such as watersheds, non-point source pollution, water properties and water quality. .

Dates: September 21, 22, 23, 24
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:15 PM each day
Location: Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead, MN

Dates:
February 27, 8:30- 3:30,
March 6, 8:30-3:30,
March 20, 8:30-3:30,
March 27, 8:30-3:30,
April 10, 8:30-3:30

Location: Green Hall, Room 203, University Of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus,
1530 Cleveland Ave. N, Saint Paul

Contact: Dave Hanson, 612-624-1226, hanso355@umn.edu.

Apply online or print and mail-in the application form found at: http://www.mntca.org/advisors/advi_join.html

Cost: For volunteers, the cost is $95 and an expectation of volunteer work.
For professional track, the cost is $375 with no volunteer requirement.
Includes 5 days of speakers, a training manual, coffee and good conversation

Mark your calendars for the 2010 Tree Care Advisor Core Course in St. Paul, Minnesota! Training includes education on several topics including: tree identification, plant selection, basic physiology and morphology, soils, site analysis, diagnosis of disease and insect problems, pruning, planting and more. These trainings are geared towards individuals who may not know much about trees but do know they want to learn.

The Minnesota Tree Care Advisor program has been training tree stewards (TCAs) for communities since 1993 and since that time TCAs have contributed over 58,000 volunteer hours to Minnesota communities.

Who should attend the Tree Care Advisor Core Course? Green industry professionals, Master Gardeners and those folks who have the desire to learn about trees and take that learned information and share it with others in their community.

Website to register for classes: www.mndnr.gov/education/bow
Call 1-888-MINNDNR to check class availability.
To register for classes at the Wargo Nature Center go online to www.anokacountryparks.com

Ice Fishing
Date: January 20, 2010
Time: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: White Bear Lake
Limit 10 people, fee $10, fishing license required

Snowshoeing & Wildlife Tracking
Date: January 17, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Wargo Nature Center, Centerville
limit 15 people, fee $15

Cross Country Ski Weekend
Date: January 23-24, 2010
Location: St. Croix State Park, Hinckley
Limit 8, fee $50

Women's Astronomy Class
Date: January 24
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Wargo Nature Center, Centerville
fee $15 plus tax

Women's Winter Sampler
Date: February 21
Time: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Location: Wargo Nature Center, Centerville
fee $15 plus tax

Maple Syruping
Date: March 14, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location: Wargo Nature Center, Centerville
fee $15 plus tax

Points Unknown Dog Sledding Instruction
For more info and to register call Linda at 612-327-6965
website: www.points-unknown.com

Dog Sledding & Winter Survival Metro Adventures
January 22-24, 2010, Chanhassen at Camp Tanadoona
OR
February 19-21, 2010, Minnestrista at Camp Kingswood
limit 8 for each class, fee $395

Dog Sledding Adventure
Date: March 4-7
Location: Hovland (north of Grand Marais)
limit 6, fee $795

Advanced Dog Sledding Adventure
Date: February 4-7, 2010
Location: Hovland (north of Grand Marais)
limit 4, fee $995

Spring fall brochure of classes will be available in February www.mndnr.gov/education.

Date: February 20-21, 2010
Location: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro
For families with children ages 6 and older
To register and for more info: www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/bow
Contact: Linda Bylander, 218-833-8628, Linda.bylander@state.mn.us

Our family program is designed for those who want to learn outdoors skills together as a family. Moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles welcomed to attend and spend time in the outdoors as a family and learn outdoor skills together - without having to sleep in a tent or cook! Children younger than six are welcomed to attend and participate in family time but cannot attend classes.

Date: Friday, February 26 - Sunday, February 28
Location: Audubon Environmental Learning Center, Sandstone
Contact: Linda Bylander, MN Dept of Natural Resources, 218-833-8628
linda.bylander@dnr.state.mn.us
Website and registration information: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/bow/index.html or call 888-404-7743

BOW workshops are a great way to begin your journey into the outdoors. Our BOW winter weekend workshop is specifically designed for women to sample a variety of winter outdoor skill classes during a fun filled weekend. Our classes are taught be expert instructors in a supportive learning environment. Instructors begin each class with the basics then encourage women to try the skill using a hands-on approach to learning.

Our weekend workshops are also a great place to meet a large group of women with similar interest in the outdoors and to have fun and relax during our evening activities, socials, and campfires. We have expanded our weekends so women with daughters/friends ages 14 and older can attend a workshop together!

Date: February 26-28, 2010
Location: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Finland
Cost: $120 includes five meals and occupancy in rooms of six

For more information contact:
Peter Harris or Betsey Mead (Wolf Ridge)
218-353-7414, scienceprojects@wolf-ridge.org

John Latimer (Grand Rapids)
218-326-8433, jlatimer@kaxe.org

Larry Weber (Duluth)
218-384-3851, frlaweber@q.com

Topics include:

• Head of the Lakes Climate Changes


• Weather Recording


• General Phenology Record Keeping


• Phenology as Seen in Birds


• Phenology as Seen in Dragonflies


• How to Use Phenology in Teaching


• Photography as a Means of Recording Phenology

Round table discussions will look at:

• Forming Phenology Organizations and Networks


• Phenology Research and Nomenclature

Outside walks will examine:

• Phenology of Late Winter


• Lichens and Winter Plants


• Using a Weather Station to Forecast and Record Climate Changes

Night hikes and telescopes are also available.

Wolf Ridge will also allow participants to take part in other classes and activities happening during this weekend. These include: birds, outdoor survival, sled dog demonstration, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Go online to http://www.MyMinnesotaWoods.org for December updates. The new site makes it easier to find content, add your thoughts, get to know authors, and get content notifications.

Project Get Outdoors, Inc. (GO) is a non-profit organization based out of Whitewater State Park. The organization is working with communities throughout SE MN to design unique after school programs that connect children to nature exploration and outdoor learning while introducing them to their local public greenspaces. Master Naturalist volunteers are needed to help lead outdoor activities in the following communities: Chatfield, Houston, Plainview, Preston, Red Wing, Rochester, Rushford, Spring Valley, Wabasha, and Winona. Visit the website at www.mnprojectgetoutdoors.org for more information.
Contact: Sara Grover, Coordinator/Founder, Project Get Outdoors, sara.grover@yahoo.com, 507-932-3007 est 226

Great River Greening Has Spring, Summer, and Fall Needs for the Below Volunteer Opportunities:

On-Call Volunteers:

Greening seeks about 100 volunteers to be members of an "on-call" team that would help maintenance projects as needed. On-Call volunteers remove invasive species, plant trees and shrubs, weeding, mulching and watering at endangered and unhealthy green spaces thought the metro area. Members would be given a project date/location/and nature of needed work and it would be entirely up to them to say yes or no. On-Call volunteers respond to the call of "green-duty" at least once a year with opportunities arising about 1-2 times a month from April-November.

Volunteer Supervisors:

Great River Greening's volunteer supervisors lead work groups at restoration events. Supervisors provide on the job training to work groups consisting of 5 - 15 restoration volunteers. Work includes, but not limited to, planting, exotic species removal, and native seed collection propagation. In addition, Volunteer Supervisors lead smaller projects throughout the year and educate community groups on issues related to ecological conservation and restoration. Volunteer Supervisors commit to at least one restoration event per year. Restoration events commonly occur on Saturday mornings during the spring and fall.

For more information or to learn how to get involved as a Volunteer Supervisor, contact Volunteer Programs and Events Manager Mark Turbak at mturbak@greatrivergreening.org or call 651.665.9500, ext. 11

Date: January 19, 2010
Location: St. John's University
Website: http://www.exploringlight.com/cmc/cmc.htm for full announcements and details of the first event.

Contact: Ken Bachofer, ken@onthelake.us

Registration: online at www.minneapolisparks.org or call 612-313-7725.

Watch for wildlife as you tromp through the snow:

Snowshoeing the Chain of Lakes
Date: Saturday, January 9
Time: 11:30 am
Registration fee $10
Snowshoe on the Chain of Lakes passing through canals and getting close to islands. Snowshoes provided. Meet at the North Beach parking lot at Lake Calhoun on Excelsior Boulevard.

Snowshoeing at Wirth Park
Date: Saturday, January 16
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Registration fee $10
Snowshoe through Wirth Park in an area that most people only see in summer. Meet at the Wirth Beach parking lot on Glenwood Avenue just east of Theodore Wirth Parkway.

Snowshoeing at Lake Nokomis
Date: Saturday, January 23
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 pm
Registration fee $10
Snowshoe on Lake Nokomis and into the wetland areas that are difficult to reach in warmer weather. Meet at Lake Nokomis Main Beach at 5001 W Lake Nokomis Parkway just east of Cedar Avenue.

Bird Watching at Robert's Bird Sanctuary
Date: Saturday, January 23
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Registration fee $5
Take a guided walk through the park and discover birding in the city. We'll use binoculars and field guides to identify birds wintering in Minneapolis. Bring your own binoculars and field guides or call to reserve a pair. Meet at the western gate near the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Time: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Location: Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Ave N, Plymouth
Contact: Roland Sigurdson, 612-625-1291

Website: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/calendar/app?jsp=/templates/event.jsp&id=20105

A MinnAqua Leaders Guide workshop for teachers - join the trend! Become and advocate for fishing education in your community today.

Date: Tuesday, January, 26, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: UMN Extension, Bunker Hills Activity Center, 550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover
Registration: $10*, pre-registration appreciated, contact Mary Jane Stearns, mstearns@umn.edu, 507-536-6310
Contact: for class content questions Barb Spears, bjspears@q.com, 651-328-0463
Website: http://cfc.cfans.umn.edu/wa/

*This is a discounted pilot class. Come prepared to offer feedback!

Do you own a woodland of less than 20 acres? Do you own a large wooded yard? Interested in learning how to take care of your woodland? If you answer yes to these questions, this class is for you. The class will focus on planning and goal setting, identifying what you have, writing a plan, keeping your woodland healthy, planting trees, attracting wildlife and more. We'll connect you to many resources to help you learn more and reach your goals. Invite a friend!

Woodland Advisor Credits: WA E13 and Master Gardener approved continuing education credit

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010
Time: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, Registration and breakfast buffet at 8:00 am
Location: Science Museum of Minnesota Discovery Hall, 120 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul
Registration: register online at http://www.mn-ei.org/events/upcoming.html

The 2010 Legislative Preview will provide a valuable first look at priority environmental issues and the economic landscape in anticipation of the upcoming session. Invited speakers inlcude representatives from the administration, a bipartisan selection of legislators, and a diverse group of key environmental stakeholders.

Location for all events is the St. Johns Arboretum at St. John's University, Collegeville, MN

Website: http://www.csbsju.edu/arboretum/

Minnesota Natural History Lecture Series
Third Tuesday of each month, September - May, 2010, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Free for students and Arboretum members, $5 for rest

January 19, A Look at Extrasolar Planets*+
February 16, Prairie Restoration
March 16, The Natural History of Maple Syrup Production*+
April 20, Climate Change and its Effect on Minnesota Trees+
May 18, Purple Martins

Interested in learning more about Minnesota's natural world? Join us each month during the school year for a lecture and discussion on a variety of natural history topics. Lectures will take place indoors.

All ages are welcome to all of our lectures; however, we have designated some lectures as *kid-friendly when the topics/presentation styles are more suitable for kids. Lectures that are designated as +teacher friendly indicate that there will be classroom resources available for teachers at the lecture.

Living in the Avon Hills Conference
Date and time: Saturday, February 6, 2010, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
$15 for adults 16+, $5 kids ages 5-15, registration starts in January

Keynote speaker Stan Tekiela, naturalist, photographer, and author of a variety of popular guide books (Birds of Minnesota, Fascinating Loons, etc) will kick off a day of art, natural history, alternative energy, gardening, conservation, and land-use speakers. Bring the kids for a variety of sessions designed for them! Visit the Exhibit Hall in-between sessions.

MinnAqua Training
Date and time: Saturday, February 6, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
$15 per person, registration starts in January

St. John's Arboretum is hosting a MinnAqua training for Minnesota educators in conjunction with the "Living in the Avon Hills" conference. Attend keynote speakers and enjoy the Exhibit Hall and refreshments, but attend a full day of sessions from the Department of Natural Resources MinnAqua program.

Project WILD Training
Date and Time: Saturday, February 20, time TBD

This is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. Designed for educators of K-12th grade, WILD capitalizes on the natural interest that kids have in wildlife by providing hands-on activities and curriculum for the classroom. More information will be available on the website.

11th Annual Owl Hoot
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm lecture, 8:00- 9:00 pm optional hike
Free for Arboretum members, $5 for nonmembers

Owls may dazzle us with their calls but they are also full of other amazing adaptations for survival. Learn about the twelve owl species that can be found in Minnesota and how they survive year round. An outdoor hike under the moon to call for owls living at Saint John's is also an option!

Maple Syrup Festivals
Dates: Saturday, March 27 and Saturday, April 10, 2010
$7 for adult non-members/scouts
$3 for child non-members/scouts and adult members
free for child members

$1 off per person if you pre-register by the Friday before the festival you attend (Up to $10, does not apply to scouts)

Join us for what has become our most popular event of the year! Sap collecting, syrup cooking, horse-drawn rides, demonstrations, and hot maple syrup sundaes await the whole family during this fun-filled event! Pre-registration for families is preferred but not required. Pre-registration for scout groups is required.

The January-February 2010 issue of the "From Shore to Shore" newsletter is now posted on the website for you to view and/or download. To access it please go to http://shorelandmanagement.org/shore_shore/

We are looking for a volunteer to help update the Nature Conservancy's digital photo archive at our office in Minneapolis for a minimum of eight hours per week. Duties include: evaluation photos by composition, resolution, image size and clarity; organizing photos by subject, location, and photographer; adding file information including key words and usage rights; and creating photo tracking sheets for specific projects and publications. Experience with Adobe Photoshop is essential. Assistance is greatly appreciated anytime Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/minnesota/volunteer/

If you are interested please email Chris Anderson at canderson@TNC.org or call him at 612-845-2744.

Date: Monday, January 11, 2010
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Eastman Nature Center, 13351 Elm Creek Road, Dayton
Registration: RSVP to Eastman Nature Center, 763-694-7700
Contact: Crystal Wold, 763-694-7706

Schedule
8:30 - 9:00 Arrive and Check-in

Three concurrent presenters: 45 minute sessions
1. 9:15 - 10:00 am
2. 10:00 - 10:45 am
3. 10:45 - 11:30 pm

A. Tony Gamble, PhD., University of Minnesota
Understand the animals you work with: Evolutionary Physiology of Reptiles and Amphibians

B. Madeline Linck, Natural Resource Wildlife Technician, Three Rivers Park District
Winter Strategies of Native MN Reptiles and Amphibians; Turtle Rearing: Egg to Hatchling

C. Jim Gerholdt, Remarkable Reptiles
Herptile Care: Housing and Diseases, Handling: including snake tubing; See live timber rattles

11:30 - 12:15 Open Question and Answer Booths
Visit specialists, experts, and professionals to answer your questions:
Veterinarians, Terra-Aquatics, Pet Co Representative, Presenters, etc.

12:15 - 1:00 BYO Lunch and informal discussion with other naturalists

Limited parking; carpooling strongly suggested
Bring your own mug and water bottle

SEEK: Minnesota's home for environmental education resources

Many new opportunities and information online at SEEK's website: http://www.seek.state.mn.us/index.cfm

Contact: Colleen Schoenecker, SEEK Coordinator,
seek.pca@state.mn.us or by phone at 651.757.2700 or 800.657.3864.

Date: January 13, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm social hour, 6:30 business meeting, 7:00 pm presentation
Location: Fort Snelling State Park Visitor's Center, take the Post Road exit off Hwy 5 and follow the signs
Contact: Susan Fall, 612-721-6366, shfall99@yahoo.com

Join friends and fellow Master Naturalists at the upcoming Twin Cities Chapter of the Minnesota Master Naturalists meeting and listen to Dr. Ann Kessen speak on climate change and the impact that it will have on the plants and animals with which we share the planet.

Dr. Ann Kessen is a biology professor at Century College and has assisted in teaching field biology courses at the University of Minnesota. She is an ornithologist and a past and present president of the Minnesota Ornithologist's Union.

To make reservations for the following programs, call 763-559-6700
The fees are set per program, but if you register to attend more than one of the programs you will receive a 15% discount on each of the programs you register for.
Programs contact: Michelle Anderson, Interpretive Naturalist, 763-694-7793

All programs for ages 16+

Whooping Cranes: A Reintroduction Story
Date and time: January 21, 2010, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Kroening Interpretive Center, North Mississippi Regional Park
Registration fee $8

Joins USFW's John Christian to learn about the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership's efforts to restore migrating cranes to eastern North America. It's a fascinating story.

John is currently the Assistant Regional Director for migrating birds and state programs for the USFW, as well as the co-chair for the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership.

Peregrine Falcons: Celebrating Success...Continuing the Work
Date and time: February 20, 2010, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Kroening Interpretive Center, North Mississippi Regional Park
Registration fee $8

With it dramatic migration and amazing flight, the Peregrine Falcon has fascinated people around the world for centuries. Join Jackie Fallon of the Midwest Peregrine Society as she walks us through the near extinction of this bird to its incredible success story. Meet a live Peregrine Falcon to see up close the adaptations this bird has to survive in the wild.

Optional: Following the program, visit metro nesting areas and watch for returning birds

Jackie is currently VP of Field Operations for the Midwest Peregrine Society and has been with the reintroduction program for nearly 20 years.

Soar with the Eagles
Date: March 20, 2010, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: meet at the Kroening Interpretive Center, North Mississippi Regional Park
Registration fee $16 (includes admission to the Eagle Center and transportation, lunch is on your own)
Limit 15 participants

Discover the Bald Eagle Success story. Transportation will be provided to the new National Eagle Center in Wabasha. See live eagles up close and tour the center. Witness their migration along the Mississippi River. There wll be stops along the way for eagle viewing and lunch at a restaurant.

Digi-Scoping: How to Get that Great Photo Through Your Spotting Scope
Date and time: April 17, 2010, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: West Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in Brooklyn Park
Registration fee $8

Bring your cameras, binocular and spotting scopes to learn some new techniques in capturing photos of birds in the field from Sharon Stitlier, "The Bird Chick." Spend some time learning about the equipment before heading out into the field to give it a try. Some equipment will be available for your use.

Sharon is a Park Ranger with the National Park Service as well as a successful writer. Her writing can be found in Wild Bird magazine, Outdoor News, and in her own book, City Birds/Country Birds.

Bird Banding and Warbler Watch
Date and Time: May 22, 2010, 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Location: West Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in Brooklyn Park
Registration fee $8

Join Master Bird Bander Mark Newstrom for a morning of banding. Learn why banding and the data collected locally is important to scientist watching migrating bird populations nationally. Spend time on the trails and in the field spotting resident and migrating birds to get your bird check list off to a great start for the summer.

Mark is in his 35th season of bird banding and is the co-founder of the North Central Bird Observatory and a board member of the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory.

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: MN Pollution Control Agency, 7678 College Rd, Ste 105, Baxter/Brainerd
Free, all are invited
Contact: Denise Stromme, 218-316-3888, denise.stromme@state.mn.us

Van Jones, an American environmental advocate, civil rights activist and attorney who served as Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, spoke at a 2007 PopTech conference in Maine on the green movement and its relationship to low income people. This BAELN gathering we will watch the recorded podcast and then engage in discussion on the issue of attacking poverty through green jobs. What is the role and purpose of the green economy for low income people? Come join us as we explore this crucial topic in making a green economy an equitable reality.

The Brainerd Areal Environmental Learning Network (BAELN), now in its seventh season, offers people in the environmental field and the community timely information on environmental and sustainability issues, along with the chance to network with others. This season's theme, "Greening the Economy," give us insight into the jobs, skills, and opportunities that the "green jobs" directions offers. BAELN events are held most third Thursdays of the month from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and include an hour-long presentation with time for questions, networking and refreshments. The events are free and all are invited to participate.

BAELN is a collaborative effort of the following organizations: 1000 Friends of Minnesota, Central Lakes College, Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District, Initiative Foundation, MN Department of Natural Resources, MN Department of Transportation, MN Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Waters, The Nature Conservancy, community members and University of Minnesota Extension.

If you would like to be on the BAELN email list or for general information on BAELN, please contact Stephen Mikkelson at (218) 316-3887 or toll free at 1-800-657-3864

Date: March 16, 2010 for one hour in the morning
Location: Normandale Community College, Bloomington
Contact: Samantha Weatherston, samantha.weatherston@normandale.edu

There is a staff development day at Normandale College on March 16. Is there a Master Naturalist volunteer available to lead an hour long plant or bird walk on this date?

Location: Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, Fergus Falls Wetland Management District
Contact and to register: Molly Stoddard, 218-998-4489, molly_stoddard@fws.gov
All classes are free and dormitory lodging is available for $20 per night.

Nature Journaling Workshops
Winter: Thursday, January 28, 2010, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Spring: Thursday, April 15, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Summer: Wednesday and Thursday, June 23-24, 2010, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Fall: Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

People from all walks of life are joining together to share in the benefits and enjoyment of nature journaling: preK-12th grade teachers, environmental educators, landowners, artists, conservationists, birders, anyone interested in observing nature, recording discoveries, and sharing them with others or teaching others how to journal. This workshop is about learning how to see. You will be introduced to easy to learn and easy to teach techniques that will help you become a more competent observer of the objects, places, and occurrences you encounter daily. Making and recording accurate observations are among the most basic skills connected to scientific inquiry and writing. Be prepared to spend time outside in the prairie. Keep coming back to keep yourself on track if desired - share you journaling discoveries when you return each session. Bring your own notebook or journal, lunch, beverages, and snacks. Instructors are Dave Ellis and Molly Stoddard, PWLC Instructional Systems Specialists.

Prairie Chicken Adventure
Date: Friday, April 16, 2010, 4:30 pm to 6:3 pm & Saturday, April 17, 5:00 pm to 9:00 am (NOTE AM on Saturday, NOT pm)

Come learn about prairie chicken habitat and their amazing courtship! On Friday, visit at least three prairie chicken booming areas with observation blinds in the daylight. Then take and early Saturday morning field trip to view dancing prairie chickens on one of the same sites near Rothsay, MN. Instructors are Doug Hedtke, Assistant Wildlife Manager, MN DNR, and Teresa Jaskiewicz, Environmental Education Specialist, PWLC.

Teaching the Outdoor Classroom
Date: July 19-23, 2010, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each day (NOTE CHANGE in DATES)
workshop especially for educators

This workshop is not just a learning opportunity for teachers - it is being held in conjunction with the Summer Explorers Biology Camp for students entering 5th and 6th grades. Workshop participants may teach any grade level and have the opportunity to apply their new skills each day with a small group of interested students. Working together as a team, we will explore the many ways to use an outdoor classroom to enhance and strengthen a child's education. Participants receive $100 stipend, 30 hours of clock instruction, and other workshop materials. Instructors are ISD 544 Prairie Science Class teachers Mona Davis and Chip McCallister; and US Fish and Wildlife Service Instructional Systems Specialist Dave Ellis and Molly Stoddard.

Moths at Midnight
Date: Friday, July 30, 2010, 10:00 pm - 12:00 am

Discover the nocturnal life of moths, the mysterious counterparts to our daytime butterflies. Did you know that moths are more numerous and diverse than butterflies? Did you know that butterflies are a type of moth? That there is a moth whose larvae live under water? Find out more during an indoor presentation, and then explore moths until midnight in the field. Take home a reference book and observation techniques you can use. Instructor is Teresa Jaskiewicz, PWLC Environmental Education Specialist.

Dragons and Damsels
Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

This workshop will provide you with Odonata biology and identification tips and plenty of field time to search for, catch, identify, photograph, sketch, wonder at, and release dragonflies and damselflies. We'll even look for aquatic larvae and their exuviae to identify. Children (with adults) especially welcome. Bring a bag lunch. Instructor is Molly Stoddard, Instructional Systems Specialist, PWLC.

Posted by Tyler Hamilton from the Protect Lake Superior Bulletin

This is important to all who want to protect Minnesota's clean waters:

Mining has been going on for a long time in MN, but not mining of ores rich in sulfides....bearing copper, nickel, small bits of platinum, gold, silver.
Sulfide ore tailings create sulfuric acid even decades later, when exposed to air and water....this kills aquatic life downstream. Mercury and other heavy metals also occur.

The current permit application by Polymet Mining is for an open pit sulfide mine near Aurora MN, with drainage into waters that feed Lake Superior.

Minnesota's current laws regarding mining runoff, and Financial Assurances ($ up front from the company for pollution abatement) are not strong enough.

Other companies are waiting for this permit to be granted, and exploration is being done in several other drainages, including those into the BWCA....who knows where else.

Specifically, what can the average citizen do now to help protect Minnesota waters?

1. Write or email your Minnesota legislators... House and Senate, asking them to strengthen the clean water laws in regard to mining, and to back a bill strengthening Financial Assurances for pollution control. Even ask them to adopt the Wisconsin model of "Prove it first".....a very strong law that makes mining companies prove they can operate pollution free.

2. Write or email the following two agencies, with comments specifically about their Draft Environmental Impact Statement (see suggestions below).. Agencies are:

Stuart Arkley Jon K. Ahlness
Minnesota DNR Regulatory Branch, St. Paul District
Division of Ecological Resources U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
500 Lafayette Rd. 190 Fifth St. East. Suite 401
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025 St. Paul, MN 55101-1638

Or email them at
Environmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us, jon.k.ahlness@usace.army.mil

Here are some possible points to make from my knowledge of the Draft EIS:
It would have the most impact if you made it known that you have read, or read about the EIS....comments to these agencies need to be about it, rather than the merits of mining in general.

1. Polymet has made its application, and in the EIS, some modifications have been required by DNR in order to better meet Minnesota's current standards. But those standards are not able to be met FAR into the future, even after this company leaves, or possibly goes broke, unless huge Financial Assurances are set forth. The EIS does not seem to call for a strong enough protection.

2. The technology being proposed to deal with water runoff is not proven to work in a wetlands mining environment. The EIS does not show or reference examples elsewhere that are proven enough to depend on them in this unique wetlands environment, and well into the future. Can we gamble our water quality on this technology? Once it is gone, it is gone.
(Polymet proposes to put the tailings and leftover material back into the pit that they create, and cover it all with water, preventing the formation of sulfuric acid.... The pit will be lined, and water escaping in the future as it overflows will be treated for mercury & other heavy metals before released into the Partridge River, which eventually feeds Lake Superior)

3. The PCA information you have (I'm giving it to you now) is that this treatment technology (the pit overflow water) is VERY expensive, is very new, and has not been used in a huge mining environment. How can we require a BOND large enough from Polyment to assure that THEY, not us taxpayers, will foot the bill for continued monitoring and application of this water treatment decades from now? And how can we be sure that it will be adequate in this large and unique a setting? There seems to be at least some guesswork going on.

4. The Draft EIS says that high sulfate concentrations in seepage from the tailings basin would be released into wetlands north of the basin, and lakes downstream, representing high risk situations for mercury methylation. We know that mercury in fish makes them unsafe to eat. What are we leaving our children and grandchildren...not Minnesota as we know it!

So, pick from some or all of these points, or go to the DNR website and read the summary of the Draft EIS for yourself, if you are so disposed. I just thought I'd give you a few of the things that stand out to me as weaknesses in this proposal.

Those of you not Minnesota residents, but who come here as tourists, fishermen, campers, spending your dollars in Northern Minnesota... don't be afraid to speak up from that perspective.

Again... thank you all for wading through this with me. Clean air and water must not be compromised as we seek ways to fill our appetite for these non-ferrous metals.

And if you ARE into this, and have sent my other information on to some folks you know who would be helpful, please forward this one as well.

Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: MN Pollution Control Agency, 7678 College Rd, Ste 105, Baxter/Brainerd
Free, all are invited
Contact: Don Hickman, 320-631-2043, dhickman@ifound.org

Over the past year many economic forecasters have declared that "green jobs" are a growth sector as our nation seeks to produce more renewable energy, conserve the energy we have, and otherwise lessen our impact on the environment while saving money. What is the reality of this prediction here in Minnesota? What industries are hiring now, and what skills do they require? Is continued optimism warranted? Joan B. Danielson is the Central Minnesota Regional Administrator for the MN Dept of Employment and Economic Development and will share what DEED is seeing in terms of job creation and retention, also what opportunities and barriers she sees in her crystal ball. She is also likely to be joined by other peers working in the field of Green Economic Development to share their interpretations of our dynamic economic climate.

The Brainerd Areal Environmental Learning Network (BAELN), now in its seventh season, offers people in the environmental field and the community timely information on environmental and sustainability issues, along with the chance to network with others. This season's theme, "Greening the Economy," give us insight into the jobs, skills, and opportunities that the "green jobs" directions offers. BAELN events are held most third Thursdays of the month from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and include an hour-long presentation with time for questions, networking and refreshments. The events are free and all are invited to participate.

BAELN is a collaborative effort of the following organizations: 1000 Friends of Minnesota, Central Lakes College, Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District, Initiative Foundation, MN Department of Natural Resources, MN Department of Transportation, MN Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Waters, The Nature Conservancy, community members and University of Minnesota Extension.

If you would like to be on the BAELN email list or for general information on BAELN, please contact Stephen Mikkelson at (218) 316-3887 or toll free at 1-800-657-3864.

Date: ideal finish of course by end of January
Location: Kroening Interpretive Center, North Mississippi Regional Park
Contact: Carol McElroy, Interpretive Naturalist, 763-694-2014, cmcelroy@threeriversparkdistrict.org

Design and build an obstacle course for squirrels that can be installed in close proximity to the nature center bird feeding area. The primary purpose is to mentally challenge the squirrels, so they can be distracted from the feeders. It would also entertain visitors. Ideally, I need this by the end of January, but would be willing to work with a simple prototype and ultimately have something more comprehensive.

The obstacle course would be installed next to the Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park. Examples can be found by "googling" "Squirrel obstacle course." The cost of the materials would be reimbursed.

Go online to http://www.MyMinnesotaWoods.org for December updates. The new site makes it easier to find content, add your thoughts, get to know authors, and get content notifications.

Screech Owl Gets a Special Holiday Gift - A Name! And the name is...Mēstaáe (Mista)!
This Eastern screech-owl is the newest permanent resident at The Raptor Center. Hatched in 2008, he was found as a nestling, and briefly kept and fed by humans before being brought to the Center. Unfortunately, during that time, he became imprinted on humans and cannot be released back to the wild. Over the past few months, we have been collecting name suggestions from you, our friends and supporters. The final name was chosen from over 800 submissions. The name is a Cheyenne word for "spirit of the night/owl."

Rare Visitor at The Raptor Center this Holiday Season
This northern hawk owl was admitted to The Raptor Center's clinic on November 21, 2009. Found in Itasca County, he had a scapular fracture and eye trauma. Weighing only 260 grams, he is a big owl in a small body! His eye lesions have resolved and he is much brighter and stronger than he was when he was admitted. It will take awhile for the fracture to heal and then he will require rehabilitation to get back into flight condition.

Since 1974, The Raptor Center has treated over 18,000 raptors; only 10 of these have been Northern Hawk owls. As much as we enjoy this rare visitor, we look forward to his return to the wild where he belongs.

Make a Year-End Gift to The Raptor Center and Help Keep our Raptor Friends Flying
Join the Friends of The Raptor Center by making a gift of $50 or more and help keep our raptor friends flying this holiday season.

Go online to http://givemn.razoo.com/story/The-Raptor-Center-3 to make your tax-deductible gift to The Raptor Center - your gift will go directly to the care and treatment of the sick and injured raptors who come to us in need of our help and will support our education and research programs on a day-to-day basis. YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Please make your year-end gift today.

Special Opportunity for Donors Aged 70 ½ and Older
Until December 31, 2009, donors may make direct transfers of up to $100,000 to qualified public charities from their IRA. Note that the transfers are not included in your taxable income and are not tax-deductible. You can make such a gift by contacting your IRA plan administrator to direct the transfer.

You must meet these guidelines:

• Age 70½ or older


• IRA outright transfers total $100,000 or less in 2009


• Funds are directly transferred from your IRA to one or more qualified public charities, but not to supporting organizations, gift annuities, charitable trusts or donor advised funds

Gift must be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Note that for calendar year 2009, required minimum distributions are waived from IRAs and other qualified retirement plans.