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.

The adult/junior birdie league provides play for children ages 7+ with an adult on the 9-hole pitch-and-putt course. Greens fees included. $100/pair for nine course play dates.  

Get ready for an unforgettable science adventure! Hunt for insects like an entomologist, spot wild birds and meet Richardson’s resident raptors like an ornithologist, and explore the colors, shapes and textures of plants like a botanist. Get hands-on with reptiles and amphibians like a herpetologist, and uncover the secret lives of mammals through tracks and clues like a mammologist. At the end of the week, showcase your discoveries at our very own research symposium.

Embark on an exciting journey into the world of science! Track down insects like an entomologist, spot wild birds and meet Richardson’s resident raptors like an ornithologist and dive into the world of plants like a botanist. Handle reptiles and amphibians up close like a herpetologist, and uncover the hidden lives of mammals by following tracks and clues like a mammologist. Then hop into a canoe and explore the pond like a real ecologist, observing the entire ecosystem from the water. At the end of the week, showcase your discoveries at our very own research symposium.

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.

Step down from the bank and into the water of rambling Rush Creek. Investigate sandbars, forest birds, puddle creatures and oxbow formations. Splash, climb, bend and leap as you explore the shallow water channel and its connection to the big river. Naturalists will lead this unique hiking experience with an eye toward water quality and wildlife. $6/person.

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.

Join Brandon, one of the hosts of The Wandering Naturalist podcast, by a campfire to explore the show's September topic and get a sneak peak of the October topic. Learn how to identify some of the birds that use the Mississippi Flyway in the fall, then borrow binoculars to find them on the trails. Learn what makes crows and other corvids such amazing birds. Bring your questions and chat with Brandon. Drop in and leave anytime. All ages welcome. Free.

Join local bird enthusiasts for a leisurely walk along the Mississippi Flyway as we search for migrating birds. Birds use the river corridor as a travel route during migration, offering excellent opportunities to observe a variety of species. On this guided tour We will look and listen for migratory songbirds and waterfowl while visiting the river, forest and marsh. Expect to walk/stroll at a relaxed pace for less than a mile on paved or gravel trails. Binoculars provided or bring your own. Program runs rain or shine unless conditions are severe. All levels of experience are welcome. $6/person.

Enjoy paddling a canoe with your family and friends around a nature center pond. While exploring on the water, look for turtles, birds, insects and other wildlife. This program will cover the basics of paddling a canoe (safety, parts of a canoe, entering and exiting, and paddling strokes). We will focus on wildlife viewing and not on advanced canoeing skills. One adult participant is required in each canoe. $10/person.

Step into the quiet embrace of the forest and let nature wash over you. Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing”, is more than a walk—it’s an immersion of the senses, a return to the wisdom of the trees. Feel the cool whisper of the breeze against your skin. Breathe in the earthy scent of moss and pine, and the sweetness of damp leaves. Hear the rhythmic rustle of branches, the distant call of a bird, the gentle trickle of water over smooth stone. With each step, the weight of the world softens, your mind quiets, your body unwinds. Guided by a certified Forest Bathing practitioner, you’ll be invited to slow down and engage deeply with your surroundings—touching bark craggy as time, watching sunlight dance through shifting canopies, tasting the crispness of the air itself. Through gentle prompts and mindful reflection, you’ll rediscover the innate connection between yourself and the living world. This is not a hike, nor a destination—it is an experience of presence, a practice of simply being. Benefits of Shinrin-Yoku: Reduces stress and anxiety, boosts mood and mental clarity, supports immune function, enhances mindfulness and connection. Come, step into the forest. Let it restore you. This program is in partnership with Scott County.

Though we can’t normally feel it, air is all around us. Come learn about the power air pressure has through hands-on experiments. Observe air crush a pop can and learn how it helps birds fly. $6/student.

Learn what makes birds unique. Examine taxidermied birds, learn about the adaptations that help birds survive and go on a binocular hike to find birds around the nature center. $6/student.

Did you know a bird's wing acts a lot like an airplane wing? Learn how birds and planes fly as you examine the four different kinds of flight. Study bird wings to improve the planes you make through the process of biomimicry. $6/student.

Why do birds fly south for the winter? How far do they go? Get all of your migration questions answered by participating in games and activities that will get you ready to fly south. $6/student.

Gain extensive hands-on firearms safety instruction and earn your Minnesota DNR Firearms Safety Certificate while exploring the world of bird hunting. Learn pheasant, turkey and waterfowl ecology with some hunting tips and techniques. Shoot a shotgun and .22 at a local gun range. Try archery, shooting crossbows, survival skills, making a turkey call and more. Designed for beginning hunters who do not have their firearms safety certification. Run by DNR-certified firearms safety instructors. All equipment provided. Scholarships may be available; for information, call 763-694-7856. Sponsored by the Northwest Suburban Chapter of Pheasants Forever and National Wild Turkey Federation. Friday's location will be at the Delano Sportsman Club. Campers will be assigned a two hour range timeslot and will need to provide their own transportation. Extended care available Monday-Thursday for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m. Extended care not available on Friday.

Juniors are expected to be able to play nine holes of golf before joining this league. This league teaches basic golf skills and USGA rules and etiquette within the context of First Tee. Lessons consist of games and instruction in a group setting. No lessons or play June 29–July 5. Dates listed below are for the lessons only. League play is June 15th - August 10th. You will receive an email the next day to sign up for your tee time. Tee times are every 10 minutes between 8–10:50 a.m. If you have further questions, call 763-694-7777. $215/eight lessons and eight course play dates.

This league builds on the basic skills learned in Birdie 1 Lesson League. Goal setting and course management are also introduced at this level, but the focus continues to be on having fun and learning skills. No lessons or play June 29–July 5. Dates listed below are for the lessons only. League play is June 15th - August 10th. You will receive an email the next day to sign up for your tee time. Tee times are every 10 minutes between 8-10:50 a.m. If you have further questions, call 763-694-7777. $215/eight lessons and eight course play dates.

This league builds on skills learned in Birdie 1 and 2 Lesson Leagues. More advanced golf skills are introduced with friendly competition and tournament play. No lessons or play June 29–July 5. Dates listed below are for the lessons only.League play is June 15th - August 10th. You will receive an email the next day to sign up for your tee time. Tee times are every 10 minutes between 8–10:50 a.m. If you have further questions, call 763-694-7777. $215/eight lessons and eight course play dates.   

Our Birdie Level lessons are designed for junior golfers who have progressed beyond the basics and are ready to take their game to the next level. Ideal for players who regularly play nine holes, have completed a Par Level lesson or its equivalent and are dedicated to skill development. Program highlights include detailed instruction on essential aspects of the game, including putting, chipping, pitching, sand play, irons and woods. Instructors place an emphasis on strategies and decision-making to improve performance on the course. Sessions are designed to refine technique and enhance overall gameplay, fostering confidence in each participant's abilities. This program is perfect for young golfers who are committed to developing their skills, understanding the game more deeply, and enjoying the challenge of golf. $130/five lessons.