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.

Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors for an exhilarating week of precision, skill and camaraderie. Shoot long, recurve and compound bows. Develop and refine proper technique by learning the National Training System’s 11 steps to shooting. Get tips to shoot proficiently from varying distances while exploring a walk-around course and shooting from an elevated platform. Discover primitive hunting techniques and challenge yourself with shooting games. Equipment provided.

More than a pretty walk along the Minnesota River, The Landing has a human history dating back thousands of years. Join a historical interpreter for a leisurely walk to discover tangible evidence of the people who were here long before us. Reservations required. This program is in partnership with Scott County. $6/person.

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.

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.

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

Hike the trails near the prairie and uncover the pages of "If You’re Not from the Prairie" by David Bouchard as you go. Complete the trail and the story! Find a naturalist out on the trail to learn more about the plants and animals that call the prairie home. 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.

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.

Step back in time and discover the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder through stories and a guided walk on the prairie. Learn about the plants that grow there and make prairie tea using natural ingredients. Make cornbread to go with your tea, just like a pioneer family might have done. Create a simple pioneer toy to take home, and spend time exploring the sights, sounds and beauty of the prairie. All ages welcome. $8/person.

Join Silverwood Park in celebrating National Friendship Day by helping create the longest friendship bracelet in Minnesota. All summer long, visitors helped to braid sections of a giant friendship bracelet at concerts, events and at home using simple kumihimo braiding kits. On August 1, we’ll bring every piece together to stretch along the park trail from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in a joyful celebration of friendship, community and connection. After the bracelet is assembled, everyone is invited to join a Friendship Walk on the trail with a friend, old or new, until 2 p.m. All ages welcome. Free.

Walk in the bootsteps of a farmer to experience caring for the animals. Learn how we raise healthy livestock while you assist with chores and participate in hands-on activities to discover what each animal gives back to us.

Join us for a walk along the Mississippi River and through the surrounding park while helping pick up trash along the way. Come when you can and stay as long as you’d like. All cleanup supplies will be provided, and you’re welcome to bring your own gloves.

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 free program is in partnership with Scott County. Free.

Start your Monday mornings with fresh air, movement and good company! Developed in partnership with Club Prior, Morning Stretch and Stroll is a casual walking club for adults ages 55+ looking to boost their health by walking outdoors on a peaceful path at a distance of a little over a mile. Halfway through, we will stop to focus on activities that enhance balance and agility. The 45-minute guided walking sessions will help you maintain your mobility and cardiovascular health. Nordic walking poles are available upon request. This program is in partnership with Scott County. Free.

Discover the history of the Noerenberg family on a guided walk through the property. From their home "Wilkommen" to the eye-catching boat house to the historic barn, learn about the family connections to the lake and the land during the Gilded Age. $9/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.

You never know what you will find in the pond from week to week, everything is always changing! But what happens at night? Come to the nature center to go pond dipping after the sun sets to find out. Pond dipping will happen from the boardwalk, so participants are encouraged to bring headlamps. End the night inside viewing the smallest creatures we catch on a projector. All ages welcome. $6/person.

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 us for a low impact guided trail walk that engages the whole person (physical, mental, emotional). Each session includes a low impact physical activity and wellness practice such as meditation, breathing exercise or nature reading. Wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing. Meets snow or shine. Nordic poles and instruction are provided. Drop-ins welcome.

Ever wonder what it would be like to explore the Amazon River? Come join two naturalists for a creek walk that leaves you feeling like you are in a Minnesota jungle. Wade in the water, catch creatures in nets, explore animal tracks and enjoy being outside and getting wet! The program is designed for students that are curious, love to be outside and who don’t mind getting wet and dirty. This program will be spent near and in the creek with strict safety guidelines in place. Please come wearing light pants and shoes that can be in water and in mud. $12/person.