Nature Center Programs

Maplewood Nature Center ADULT & FAMILY NATURE PROGRAMS March – May 2018 2659 East Seventh Street Maplewood, MN 55119 651.249.2170

www.maplewoodmn.gov We are also on Facebook & Twitter.

COME AND EXPLORE!

Grounds and trails: Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Visitor Center: Open Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30-4:30 The Visitor Center will be closed: Tuesday, July 4

Our mission is to enhance awareness and understanding of land, water and wildlife resources; to empower the community to become stewards of the environm

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A NATURE CENTER PROGRAM:     

Register online for paid or free programs www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com then click on the Register Online-Go! button.

You can also register in person, phone, 651-249-2170, or mail with credit card, cash or check by the date indicated. Program sizes are limited, register early.

No need to register for Drop-in programs.

Most programs are held at the Maplewood Nature Center unless otherwise noted in program description.

MARCH HIKE BY THE LIGHT OF THE BLUE MOONS (ADULTS AND CHILDREN 7+ WITH ADULT) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 6:30PM–8:00PM BLUE MOON FRIDAY MARCH 30, 7:00-8:30PM Join us as we hike the trails by the light of the full moon – 2 full moons in the month of March! In 2018, there are also 2 full moons in January but none in February. Peer through a scope to get a grand look at the moon if the skies are clear, but we’ll hike whether clear or cloudy! Discover some fun facts about the moon, Enjoy a hot beverage and treats to mark this occasion!

Fee: $5 per person; register by 2 days prior to each hike – Come to one or both! Register at www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com & click on the RegisterOnline-Go button, or call 651-249-2170 VEGETABLE GROWING BASICS (ADULTS) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 9:30AM-4:00PM Taught by Master Gardeners, this workshop is an introduction to vegetable gardening covering topics such as soil, prepping your garden space, seed and seedling selection, planting, organic methods, and garden maintenance. Each participant creates a design and a needs list for their garden. You will be truly ready to garden after this thorough workshop. Please bring your own bag lunch, or several restaurants are located nearby.

Fee: Early-bird registration $25/person by Friday, Feb 23, prepay $30/person by Friday, March, 2. Register at www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com and click on the RegisterOnline-Go button, or call 651-249-2170

SMARTPHONE BIRDING BY SHARON STITELER (Best for Adults and Children Ages 12+) AT MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER, 2100 WHITE BEAR AVENUE, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109 TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 7:00PM – 8:15PM Smart phones have changed birding. You can take out multiple field guides, get real time bird reports and take incredible photos and videos of your favorite birds. This program gives you the latest information on how to maximize your phone for birding. Door Prizes – register to win one of Sharon’s books. Hot Beverage available.  Sharon Stiteler, in addition to her day job with the National Park Service, runs the popular birding blog, Birdchick.com and has been in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, All Things Considered and on NBC Nightly News as well as making regular appearances on Twin Cities’ TV and radio stations. She wrote the books Disapproving Rabbits, City Birds/Country Birds and 1001 Secrets Every Birder Should Know. When she’s not digiscoping or banding birds, she’s a blue ribbon beekeeper. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram under Birdchick.

Free! Preregister by Monday, March 5, online or call 651-249-2170. Program sponsored by the Friends of Maplewood Nature. iNATURALIST TRAINING (ADULTS, AND CHILDREN 10 AND UP WITH ADULT AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

FRIDAYS, MARCH 9, APRIL 13, MAY 11 9:00AM–10:30AM Learn to Track Phenology with iNaturalist. We’ll meet one Friday every month March-May. We will walk and observe plants and wildlife happenings on the trails, and then record what we see back at the nature center. Option to bring your own smartphone or tablet (ideally download the iNaturalist app ahead of time).

If rainy, program will be cancelled.

Free-Drop-in LIVE ANIMALS (FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 3-10 YEARS) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2:00PM-3:00PM Get up close and personal with an American toad and Tiger salamander, meet a friendly snake. Try on a turtle shell or ‘snake skin’ and watch the salamander slurp up an earthworm treat. Optional self-guided hike afterward. Free. Seating is limited, pre-register by Friday, March 9: 651-249-2170 SAP INTO SYRUP FAMILY EVENT (FAMILIES WITH KIDS AGE 6+) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 7th St. E., Maplewood, MN 55119 SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2:00PM–3:30PM Carry the sap from roots to buds on our ‘maple tree’. Get acquainted with the tools and equipment and how to identify trees in the maple family. Help tap a real tree! Taste maple sap and real maple syrup.

Fee: $5/child, prepay by Thursday, March 15. Register at www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com and click on the RegisterOnline-Go button, or call 651-249-2170

NATURAL DYE EGGS- STRAVAGANZA (AGES 6+ WITH AN ADULT) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1:00PM–2:30PM What is an egg? Which wild animals make eggs? We will answer these questions and more while dyeing eggs with environmentally friendly, natural dyes. Learn to make a basket from paper plates and other activities while your eggs soak. BRING 3 HARD BOILED eggs per person and an egg carton for drying and transport. (To hard boil, use enough cold water to cover eggs plus 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let cool. Refrigerate.)

Fee: $5/person, prepay by Thursday, March 22. Register at www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com and click on the RegisterOnline-Go button, or call 651-249-2170 SPRING TO YOUR SENSES PUPPET SHOW (BEST FOR AGES 2-8, 16+ free) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 10:30AM-11:45AM Laugh and sing along with squirrel, duck, goose and more, as they get ready for spring! Outside, use your eyes and ears to look and listen for the REAL wild animals! Complete the Alphabet Nature Bingo on your way. Snack and Craft included. Great for families and small day care groups (up to 8 kids).

Fee: $5/child, prepay by Monday, March 26. Register at www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com and click on the RegisterOnline-Go button, or call 651-249-2170 SNAKES ALIVE! (ALL AGES) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 10:00AM-11:00AM Meet a live western hognose snake, boa constrictor, egg-eating snake, and lots of other visiting snakes from ‘Snake Discovery’! You’ll get to see them up close, touch, hold, and even feed some of the program snakes! Snakes play an important role in the ecosystem; discover how to help them, so they can help us.

Fee: $5/person, prepay by Thursday, March 29. Register at www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com and click on the RegisterOnline-Go button, or call 651-249-2170

APRIL NATIVE PLANTS DO DOUBLE DUTY: STOP WATER AND FEED POLLINATORS!!

AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 7:00PM-8:30PM Deep rooted plants help reduce flooding, filter pollutants and provide food for disappearing pollinators such as Monarch Butterflies and non-aggressive bees. In addition, replacing turf with these native grasses and wildflowers reduce geese problems. In this class, learn to identify 10 workhorse plants and the Pollinators that depend on them. Dramatic research on the ability of raingardens to help prevent run-off will be shared and take home some initial designs that will work in most sunny spots.

Free. Seating is limited, register early!

FROG MONITOR VOLUNTEER TRAINING REFRESHER & UPDATES (FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN AGES 12+ WITH ADULT) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 10:00AM-11:30AM. Bring a buddy and become Maplewood Frog Monitoring Volunteers! Monitors follow an established, tenstop-route; listening for frogs after sunset. Learn about Minnesota frog species, their calls, ranges and how monitoring works. Monitors must commit to three nights, each in a specific date range, April-July.

Monitoring is for night-owls with a keen sense of hearing only! Must be willing to use a smart phone to enter data on an App. Please sign up for a frog hike program in May or June if you do not plan to volunteer.

Free. Pre-register by Wednesday, April 4. Register at www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com and click on the RegisterOnline-Go button, or call 651-249-2170 EDGERTON COMMUNITY GARDEN OPEN HOUSE AT EDGERTON COMMUNITY GARDEN: CORNER OF ROSELAWN & EDGERTON, NORTH OF EDGERTON ELEMENTARY FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 4:30PM-6:30PM Drop-in and take a tour the Edgerton Community Garden. Poor weather back-up location inside Edgerton School Gym. Meet other garden enthusiasts, and get gardening information from a Master Gardener.

SERVICE PROJECT DAY FOR GROUPS, & INDIVIDUALS (ADULTS, & CHILDREN AGES 8+ WITH ADULT) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 10:00AM–2:00PM Schedule for a community service project with your group, family, or on your own at Maplewood Nature Center! Help with litter pickup and other tasks. Call the nature center to schedule a time and task: 651249-2170.

FREE!

MAY TREES FOR THE BEES - Girl Scout Arbor Day Celebration (GIRL SCOUTS, AGES 11-13, ACCOMPANIED BY ADULTS) AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER, 2659 E 7TH ST., MAPLEWOOD, MN 55119.

SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1:00PM-4:00PM Grades 6-8: Celebrate Arbor Day at the Maplewood Nature Center by investigating the relationship between Trees and Pollinators! Discover how trees and pollinators depend on each other and how to protect them. Explore trees at the nature center, make fun tree art, and learn about food products that come from trees, including maple syrup and fruits. Please dress for the weather and plan on both inside and outside activities. Tree Badge included.

Adult chaperones required to register and attend with girls.

Fee: $15/child. Register beginning Monday, January 8 at Trees for the Bees Cadette Event (girlscoutsrv.org/events/), or call 800-845-0747. (https://www.girlscoutsrv.org/en/eventsrepository/2018/trees_for_bees.html

SNOWSHOE RENTAL Explore Maplewood Nature Center by snowshoe!

Ages 4—Adult sizes When we get 4-6” fresh snow come out and enjoy it! * Wooden or aluminum snowshoes available for use on site for $5.00 per pair of snowshoes. * You may also bring your own snowshoes. * Call 651-249-2170 to reserve a time & check conditions.

NATURE CENTER WILD BIRTHDAY PARTIES! Live Animal Birthday parties are available for kids ages 4 & up.

Reserve the party room for treats; then visit with a snake, toad or salamander!

Outdoor hikes & party favors included!

Fee: $80.00 (up to 12 children) $100.00 (12-15 children) Call 651.249.2170 for additional information or go to: www.maplewoodnaturecenter.com & click on Programs & Events/Birthdays FRIENDS OF MAPLEWOOD NATURE The Friends is a non-profit organization supporting the mission of Maplewood Nature Center & Neighborhood Preserves.

Check out the Friends on the web: http://www.maplewoodmn.gov/981/Friends-Group or https://friendsofmaplewoodnature.wordpress.com/ Did You Know-- that you can directly support Maplewood Nature Center and Neighborhood Preserve special programs and projects by donating online? The Friends of Maplewood Nature is a 501 C3 non-profit group that promotes awareness of and fundraises for the nature center and preserves.  It’s simple and easy- simply go to the Friends website https://friendsofmaplewoodnature.wordpress.com and click on “donate”. This will take you to the GIVEMN.org website where you will have several options for amounts.  You may also mail in a donation by sending a check written out to the Friends to the Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 E 7th St., Maplewood, MN 55119. If you are interested in becoming a Friends of Maplewood Nature board member call 651-249-2170.

Friends have supported the nature center by co-sponsoring speakers for programs, such as live raptors for the Outstanding Owls event; special events such as the Outdoor Expo; exhibits such as the Solar Display and the Energy Bike; the new entrance sign; items for the play yard, and much more.

The Board of Directors of the Friends of Maplewood Nature has opening for members.

Commitment is typically 2 hours every other month. Qualifications are an interest in help Board accomplish its mission. Contact Board President Jim Beardsley if you are interested. https://friendsofmaplewoodnature.wordpress.com/‌/board-ope‌/