Join us for the opening reception of In the Sky by Kim Wetzel on Thursday, September 10 from 6–8 p.m. The exhibition is on view August 13–September 30. Drop in anytime. All ages welcome. Free.

How slow can you go? September is full of activity in the natural world. You can't take a step without noticing something new; at least that's the goal of this walk! How much can we find in a short distance Participants can choose from a wide range of tools such as nets, binoculars, magnifying glasses, field guides and more as we head out on an adventure short in length but rich in discovery. All the mushrooms, insects, birds, plants, etc. will be documented for citizen science. All ages welcome. Free.

Become a nature observer and get to know some of the many organisms living near the Crow River while taking part in a bioblitz. Join an early morning bird survey from 7:30–9:30 a.m. or attend the official event starting at noon. Throughout your visit, find and photograph plants, insects and other organisms, then visit an expert station for assistance identifying what you’ve discovered. Choose from activities that start on the half-hour, such as sessions with animal ambassadors, live presentations on local flora and fauna and guided van tours through the restored prairie. Have fun while you learn! All ages welcome. Free.

Tíŋta Otuŋwe, Prairieville, Murphy’s Ferry, National Youth Camp and Historic Murphy’s Landing are all names that have described The Landing. Join Three Rivers Park District for a Big Year of Rivers event to celebrate the natural and human history of The Landing and the Minnesota River. Engage in free activities for all ages. Tour the historic village, try recreation activities like atlatls and geocaching, and bike the regional trail. Learn about the 10,000 years of human history and discover some of the animals that call the Minnesota River home, from small aquatics to birds of prey. Come join us for all this and more! Free.

See wild songbirds safely trapped, studied and banded with numbered rings. Find out what scientists learn from these banded birds. All ages welcome. Free.

Nothing says August like pedaling or paddling across the lake with your family. Explore the variety of watercraft available at Cleary Lake Regional Park during this open boathouse event: paddleboats, canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) will be arranged on the sand. Get out on the water on a paddleboat or try a mini-canoe lesson, available to on a first-come, first served basis. We’ll also play in the sand, so dress for mess. The Readmobile, a library on wheels, will be on site with books and activities for curious minds. This free program is made possible with support from CAP Agency, the Family Resource Centers of Scott County and Scott County Library. All children are welcome to observe; participants must weigh at least 30 pounds and wear a flotation device (provided). Meet at the Cleary Lake Boat House. This program is in partnership with Scott County. All ages welcome. Free.

Experience the magic of tallgrass prairies and insects at this all-ages event! Pack up dinner and a blanket to enjoy a picnic in the prairie while listening to live folk and bluegrass music by The May North. Venture into the grasses with sweep nets and bug-catching jars, make a prairie-inspired craft, meet live animals and learn about the captivating world of monarch migration. All ages welcome. Free.

See, smell and touch beaver biofacts. Learn the difference between beavers and muskrats. Go on a self guided hike to look for beavers and beaver-chewed trees. Free.

Wolves, coyotes and foxes...Oh My! Learn which of these canines call Carver Park Reserve home. Answer trivia questions, touch canine biofacts and learn something new about these four-footed friends. Program will be indoors at Lowry Nature Center. Free.

A wellness offering for teachers, administrators and community care professionals looking for respite in a challenging time. Each session will include a short walk to immerse in nature and a wellness practice such as a meditation trail, solo sit, qigong practice, etc. Each session is a standalone offering, but participants can join as many sessions as they like. Scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays throughout the summer. Alternating morning and evening. Come rain or shine. Drop-ins are welcome. Free

Help us remove invasive buckthorn from the Lowry Nature Center trails. Begin with a presentation about how to identify and remove common buckthorn, then work as a team to cut buckthorn with gloves and tools. Participants will work at their own pace, but must be able to walk on uneven terrain with limited access to water or restroom facilities. All materials will be provided. Free.

Celebrate dragonflies and their life cycles. Visit the dragonfly tent, catch adults and nymphs, test water quality at the pond using invertebrates and learn how your actions affect their health. Take a photo with a giant dragonfly on a green screen. Explore with microscopes and see dragonfly nymphs up close. Talk to the Minnesota Dragonfly Society about what they do around the state. Drop in anytime. Free.

Join a naturalist and an art instructor from Silverwood Park and explore a new artmaking activity inspired by nature on the front patio of the French Park visitor center. Take an up-close look at nature artifacts and learn to use tools like binoculars, hand lenses and field guides to observe the wild world around. All ages welcome. Free.

Learn how to use a GPS, then head out on the trails to discover fascinating river facts as we celebrate the Big Year of Rivers. All ages welcome. Free.

Celebrate National Moth week. Meet live caterpillars, learn what makes them unique and leave with a new appreciation of North America's biggest moth.Drop in anytime. Free.

Drop in and make a beautiful cyanotype art project using a special paper, a nature object and the sunshine. Make one for yourself and one for a grandparent in honor of Grandparents Day. Limit of two projects per person. All ages welcome. Free.

Learn about nature at your own pace through free, hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required.

Smallmouth bass, redhorse, a variety of minnows and even Minnesota’s state fish (the walleye) are all fairly common in this part of the Mississippi River. Learn about the fish of all shapes and sizes that live here and how they play a role in this complex aquatic ecosystem with hands-on experiences and up-close encounters through with live fish. All ages welcome. Free.

Use nets and jars to catch insects and see what six-legged creatures are living in the park. All ages welcome. Free.

Journey through the water cycle in a unique hands on game. Turn yourself into a water droplet and become part of the adventure as you collect beads that tell your personal water droplet story. Drop in anytime. All ages welcome. Free.

Join us in our front yard as our turtle ambassadors get some sunshine. Learn what makes Blanding's and painted turtles special, and discover where they live and what they eat. All ages welcome. Free.

Learn about nature at your own pace through free, hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. All ages welcome. Free.

Drop in at any time to meet a few of our live animals up close and discover what makes these critters unique! All ages welcome. Free.

Stop by to visit with monarchs; there might be eggs, caterpillars, a chrysalis, or adult butterflies to see. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly and how it migrates to Mexico for the winter. All ages welcome. Free.

Make your own boat out of natural materials, then see if it will float! Learn about what makes things float and the kinds of boats that use the Mississippi River. Drop in anytime. Free.

Explore one of summertime's coolest habitats, the pond! Meet a naturalist at the dock to scoop with a net, identify aquatic invertebrates and plants, and get a closer look with a magnifier. All ages welcome. Free.

Join us for collecting insects in the prairie. Use nets and small containers to collect, observe and release while the prairie is in full bloom. Meet in the prairie near the upper parking lot. If it rains or is too wet, we will meet a prairie animal ambassador in the nature center. Drop ins anytime. All ages welcome. Free.

Watch some kooky animal puppets as they stop Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature. Performance begins promptly at 1 p.m. After the show, try your hand at making an art project related to the show until 3 p.m. Join the Walk with a Naturalist at 2 p.m. for a longer nature hike or stay and make art throughout the afternoon. All ages welcome. Free.

Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.