Maplewood Nature Center & Adult & Family Neighborhood Preserves 2659 East Seventh Street Nature Programs Maplewood, MN 55119 (651) 249-2170 November - January 2020 Maplewoodmn.gov/nc
Free to Come and Explore! - Visitor Center: Tues-Sat, 8:30am-4:30pm Grounds and Trails: Open Daily, dawn to dusk.
About Maplewood Nature Center - a 40-acre preserve operated by the City of Maplewood Trails wind through Oak Woodlands and around Green Heron Pond. Watch for wildlife on the floating boardwalk. Nature Play Yard • Visitor Center • Programs free or nominally priced
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER WILD WEATHER IN MINNESOTA WITH PETE BOULAY (Adults, and ages 12+ welcome) Saturday December 7, 1:00pm-2:30pm Learn how to read a weather radar, understand cloud formations, what to watch for during Minnesota Winters. Learn cloud formations and take home a cloud chart. This program is great for both new Minnesotans and Land of Lakes dwellers! Get tips and tricks for winter preparedness. Free event! Register by Thursday, December 4, activity #16552.
FULL MOON WALK (Ages 7+ with adult, small scout troops welcome.) Thursday, December 12, 6:30PM – 8:00PM
WALK WHEN THE MOON IS FULL (Ages 7+ with adult, small scout troops welcome) Tuesday, November 12, 6:30PM–8:00PM
When the moon is full you can look and listen for flying mousetraps, such as great horned and barred owls, which call the nature center home. Inside, dissect an owl pellet to identify the teeth and bones of their prey. Learn and practice five owl calls. Bring a mug for a hot beverage! $5 per person. Register by Tuesday, December 10, activity #16553.
Hike by the moon’s light, learn fun facts about the moon as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo landing. Dress for the weather, and bring a mug! $4.00/person, Register by Sunday, November 10, activty #16548.
LIVE ANIMALS (All Ages) Saturday, November 16, 10:00AM -11:00AM
Meet a snake and salamander, and learn where Minnesota’s wild reptiles and amphibians go in the winter. You can share your stories about real wild animal encounters, if you choose! Try a wild animal craft to take home too! Free event! Register by Friday, November 15, activity #16550.
IT’S THE BOMB! (Adults and Children ages 10+ with an adult) Saturday, November 23, 1:30PM-3:00PM
Make and take a scented bath bomb using simple, environmentally friendly ingredients. Add a few dried flower petals for some extra pizazz! Bring home two bombs, a recipe, handouts and a mold. Wear old clothes, bring an ice cream bucket or large bowl, stirring spoon and a Ziploc bag. $8/person. Register by Wednesday, November 20, activity #16551.
DECEMBER BRRRD-COUNT (Adults; children ages 8 and up with an adult) Saturday, December 14th, 9:00AM – 12:00PM Drop in to watch and record winter birds on our trails or at our feeders. Enter your sightings using the eBird app or hand-write a list for the naturalist. Double the fun by renting a pair of snowshoes for $5/pair (if 6” snow on ground)! FREE! Drop-in Program. Activity #16554.
LUMINARY WORKSHOP (Adults, children age 8 and up with an adult) Saturday, January 11, 10:30AM-3:00PM Learn how to craft a variety of luminaries to light up the dark winter evenings! Make an extra for our Luminary Hike program (see below) and waive your Luminary Hike registration fee! $10 per person. Register online by Thursday, January 9, activity #16628.
LUMINARY HIKE (ADULTS, FAMILIES, MIN. AGE 5) Friday January 17, 6:30PM-8:00PM
Snowshoe (need 6” of snow) or hike our luminary trail. If conditions allow; we’ll check out holes in the ice, and let you try making a new one. Win an Ice Globe luminary kit to take home! $5 per person Register by Thursday, January 16, activity #16629.
MEET THE ANIMALS (ALL AGES) Saturday, January 25, 10:30AM-11:30AM
Meet a snake and salamander, learn where Minnesota’s wild reptiles and amphibians go in the winter. You can share your stories about real wild animal encounters, if you choose! Try a wild animal craft to take home. Free event. Register online by Friday, January 24, activity # 16630.
S’MORE NATURE FUN (ALL AGES) Saturday, December 28, 1:30PM-3:00PM
Take a hike or snowshoe down to the pond for a fun exploration then make S’mores. $5/person. Register by Thursday, Dec 26, activity #16555.
JANUARY SNOWFLAKE WONDERS (ALL AGES) Saturday, January 4, 1:30PM-3:00PM
Crafts! Science! Nature! Cut and create beautiful snowflakes for your windows, and other crafts from simple to complex. Learn to identify snowflakes by their shape and size and peer at beautifully preserved snowflake crystals on the microcam. Make a snowflake catcher to take home $5/person. Register online by Thursday, January 2, activity #16627.
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
November 2 - Turtle Tales (#16547) 9 - Wiggly Snake, slippery Salamander ECFE (#16528) 9 - Woodland Spoon Carving (#16549) 12 - Walk When the Moon is Full (#16548) 16 - Live Animals (#16550) 23 - It’s the Bomb! (#16551) December 7 - Wild Weather in Minnesota(#16552 ) 12 - Full Moon Walk (#16553) 14 - December Bird Count (#16554) 28 - S’more Nature Fun (#16555)
January 4 - Snowflake Wonders (#16627) 11 - Luminary Workshop (#16628) 17 - Luminary Hike (#16629) 25 - Meet the Animals (#16630) Nature Center closed these Holidays Thanksgiving: Thursday - Saturday, November 28-30 Christmas: Wednesday, December 25 New Years: Wednesday, January 1 (#Activity Registration Number)
Join the Camera Club Friends of Maplewood Nature is sponsoring a photo club to promote exploring & photographing the natural wonders of Maplewood’s preserves and natural areas. Next Meeting - Saturday, November 23rd 1-3pm Facebook.com/groups/maplewoodnaturephotoclub
Join ($25/per household) or Donate Today at friendsofmaplewoodnature.wordpress.com
Nature Center WILD Birthday Parties!
Maplewood Nature Center complies with A.D.A. requirements. Please inform us of any special needs so that we can more fully accommodate you.
Snowshoe Rental When we get 4-6” of fresh snow, come out and enjoy it!
• Ages 4 - Adult • $5/per pair
• Live animal birthday parties (ages 4 and up) • Possible animal themes include a visit with a snake, toad or salamander! • Outdoor hikes & party favor included! • $80 (up to 12 children) Call (651) 249-2170 or visit maplewoodmn.gov/nc
Call (651) 249-2170 for availability and conditions