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.

Use an old-fashioned cider press to make apple cider and taste the finished product. Learn about pollinators, flowers and fruits on an autumn nature walk. Reservations required. Everyone attending this program must register and pay. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Join the animal characters of the Big Woods on a Halloween trail walk. Visit the bubbling cauldron, eat a bug and experience the Gross Out Grotto! Enjoy Halloween games, a green screen photo opportunity and make a treat at the fire. Earn treats and experience the candy cannon. Costumes encouraged and refreshments provided. Activities are ongoing from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., but your reservation time is your trail start time. $8/person.

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. Registration required.

Want to learn new ways to stay active year-round with your dog? At this clinic, featuring K-9 Powered Sports, you will learn about equipment, commands, training techniques and trail etiquette for a variety of dog-powered sports and recreation activities, including skijoring, canicross and more. Equipment will be provided for you and your dog to go on a guided trail walk/run. Dogs must be kept on a six-foot nonretractable leash and should be friendly around others. Registration is per dog, with a maximum of one dog per handler. Additional handlers may attend with a dog, however demo equipment may need to be shared. Registration is required. $30/dog and handler pair.

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.

Take a self-guided poetry walk near the river. Let the river inspire you to write your own "river of words" using paper and pencil or magnetic words. You can also add your ideas and sketches to our community poem. All ages welcome. Free.

Learn tips and tricks for walking on a slackline. Test your balance and enjoy the park at the same time. All ages welcome. Free.

Learn the ways of our wild turkeys in Minnesota with a few indoor activities. Then, take a short trot/walk outside to look for evidence in our park. All ages welcome. Free.

Dress up your whole family for outdoor Halloween fun! Walk Lowry's Enchanted Trail to visit the larger-than-life costumed animals for treats. Visit Scarecrow Alley and the Pumpkin King, dance to live music by the Roe Family Singers, enjoy carnival games and laugh at the antics of the Mad Scientist. Light dinner and snack refreshments available for purchase. Reservations required. All ages welcome. $8/person. Under 2 free.

Join us for a leisurely birding experience to learn common birds you can see or hear in Minnesota during the month of October. We expect to hear year-round residents such as the cardinal and chickadee, but hope to catch some of the birds migrating south, including various hawks and sandhill cranes. We will bird around the front sidewalks of Eastman Nature Center looking toward the forest with the option to continue up the forested bike trail. Please note: the bike trail is smooth pavement but has an incline over 10% which may be challenging for some users. This experience is designed to be intentionally inclusive and accessible for beginner birders who experience accessibility challenges as a result of a disability or other health concerns. For more information on the inclusivity of this program or our building, please call 763-694-7700 or email EastmanNC@ThreeRiversParks.org. All ages welcome. $6/person.

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.

Savor the last "Golden Hour" of sunshine! Join a naturalist on this guided walk to identify seasonal sightings and soak up the season. $6/person.

Explore the trails, meet new friends, and experience the whole-body benefits that Nordic pole hiking provides while exercising in nature. Outdoor Recreation School instructors educate on the Nordic walking technique and lead a weekly pole hike. Explore a mix of paved and unpaved trails in French Regional Park, Fish Lake Regional Park and Baker Park Reserve. Please wear sturdy shoes or light hiking boots for hilly terrain and potentially muddy ground. $48/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.

Start your Monday mornings with fresh air, movement and good company! Developed in partnership with Club Prior, Morning Stretch and Stroll is a casual, quick walking club for adults ages 55+ looking to boost their health by walking outdoors on a peaceful paved path at a distance of a little over a mile with a stretching break incorporated at the midpoint. These 45-minute guided walking sessions will help you maintain your mobility and cardiovascular health. Nordic walking poles available upon request. This program is in partnership with the Scott County Wellness Initiative. Free.

Experience the night and the wide open space of the prairie as we do some stargazing. Enjoy a short program inside to learn about some of the constellations you might see and some of the animal sounds you might hear. We will walk up to the viewing location where the majority of the program will take place. Bring a blanket and chair so you can be comfortable as you view the night sky. $6/person.

Step into the beauty of early fall with a guided walk through the prairie while learning to identify late blooming wildflowers. We'll take time to observe the shapes, colors and textures of wildflowers like prairie blazing star, goldenrod and asters. Inspired by our walk, we'll return to a campsite complete with outdoor easels to capture the prairie's vibrant spirit with watercolor paints. All materials provided—just bring your curiosity and creativity. This program is in partnership with Scott County. All ages welcome. Free.

Celebrate the beginning of Parktober, a month-long park trails mileage challenge, with an evening adventure at Cleary Lake Regional Park. On this guided 3.5-mile hike on paved trails, we will take in the crisp autumn air and observe the seasonal changes. After our walk, gather around the fire ring to roast marshmallows as the sun sets, learning about other Parktober hiking routes. All ages welcome. This program is in partnership with Scott County. Free.

Step into the magic of the prairie under the glow of October's hunter's moon. As the tall grasses whisper in the night breeze and the stars shimmer overhead, we’ll slow down, breathe deeply and immerse ourselves in the healing presence of nature. Guided by the soft light of the moon, this mindful walk will invite you to engage your senses, connect with the land and find a sense of peace in the vast autumn landscape. Come experience the prairie in a way you never have before—calm, luminous and alive. This program is in partnership with Scott County. $40/person.

Join a naturalist to take an autumn walk in this natural pocket park in the west metro. We will do some tree identification as they transition to winter and look for any fall migrating birds that may still be moving. We will hike a 1.5 mile loop on mostly paved and some natural surface trails. Meet at the dog park on June Road off of 36th Avenue in Golden Valley. All ages welcome. Free.

Celebrate Halloween by getting to know the sometimes feared, often misunderstood, always fascinating spiders of Minnesota. Learn to identify spiders based on their habitat, web and eyes. Contribute to citizen science by finding, identifying and recording web and spider sightings on a guided 1-mile walk through the forest and prairie. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Volunteers are an important part of the effort to fight the spread of invasive species. Help restore our woodlands at this community buckthorn removal event at Baker Outdoor Learning Center. With the guidance of a naturalist, volunteers will receive training to identify and remove common buckthorn before independently removing plants with tools. Participants will be able to work at their own pace and must be able to walk on uneven terrain with limited access to water or restroom facilities. Free.

Join a naturalist for a walk along the trails. Observe seasonal changes happening across the habitats and landscapes. Bring binoculars if you have them or some will be available to borrow at the park. Drop-ins welcome. Hike departs shortly after 2 p.m. from in front of the visitor center. All ages welcome. Free.