We Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park invite you to join us in our activities. Check here often for future activities and opportunities for volunteering.
Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park T-Shirts available! See this Poster for details.
Volunteers are needed on Saturday October 6th, from 1 to 3 pm for prairie seed collection. Help collect seeds at the park’s beautiful prairie for further restoration efforts. We will meet at the park office and carpool to the prairie, which has limited parking. A park sticker or day pass are needed and can be purchased at the park office. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended. Gloves and long sleeve shirt might be desirable as well. If possible, bring a flower snip or small pruning shear to cut off seed heads. Training will be provided. Family-friendly, but not suitable for very young children. Will be cancelled in case of rain.
We need volunteers to help with tree planting October 16 from 9:00 am until noon.
We will be seeding the grant project area on Wednesday Nov 7th, from approximately 9 am to noon. Come help if you can, it probably won’t take long (but that’s what we thought about the trees…) Work off your election hangover!
Help is needed to spread seeds in the worked up ground near the picnic area. When finished, this area will contain native flowers and grasses giving visitors a chance to see them and their pollinators at work. The restoration project is funded by a grant from Parks & Trails Council of MN. In case of significant rain (or snow), we will select an alternate date.
Please join us each weekend for self-guided wildflower strolls down the boardwalk to Hidden Falls. Wildflower Ambassadors will be available along the trail from 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays to help point out wildflowers, including the federally endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.
Please join us each weekend for self-guided wildflower strolls down the boardwalk to Hidden Falls. Wildflower Ambassadors will be available along the trail from 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays to help point out wildflowers, including the federally endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.
Please join us each weekend for self-guided wildflower strolls down the boardwalk to Hidden Falls. Wildflower Ambassadors will be available along the trail from 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays to help point out wildflowers, including the federally endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.
Please join us each weekend for self-guided wildflower strolls down the boardwalk to Hidden Falls. Wildflower Ambassadors will be available along the trail from 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays to help point out wildflowers, including the federally endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.
Please join us each weekend for self-guided wildflower strolls down the boardwalk to Hidden Falls. Wildflower Ambassadors will be available along the trail from 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays to help point out wildflowers, including the federally endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.
Please join us each weekend for self-guided wildflower strolls down the boardwalk to Hidden Falls. Wildflower Ambassadors will be available along the trail from 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays to help point out wildflowers, including the federally endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.
Please join us each weekend for self-guided wildflower strolls down the boardwalk to Hidden Falls. Wildflower Ambassadors will be available along the trail from 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays to help point out wildflowers, including the federally endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.
Please join us each weekend for self-guided wildflower strolls down the boardwalk to Hidden Falls. Wildflower Ambassadors will be available along the trail from 10 am – 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays to help point out wildflowers, including the federally endangered Minnesota Dwarf Trout Lily.
Universe in the Park is an outreach program run by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics during the summer. At the events, representatives of the Institute will present a short (20?30 min) public talk and slide show. Presentations cover a variety of astronomical topics such as: the history of matter, how astronomers “see,” and a journey through our solar system.
Afterwards, if weather allows, attendees have the opportunity to view the sky through multiple 8-inch reflecting telescopes, operated by the staff and provided by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics. Additionally, we provide free star maps (e.g. www.skymaps.com) and are happy to show visitors how to use them. Throughout the evening, we encourage questions from the audience and enjoy discussing topics ranging from backyard astronomy to the latest scientific discoveries.
Through these events, we hope to convey the excitement of modern astronomical research while simultaneously providing an enjoyable introduction to amateur astronomy. Although a vehicle permit is required to enter the park, the event is free to the public. Please join us!
This program will include live caterpillars and other hands-on materials. You will learn about the life cycle, migration, and population status of the monarch butterflies, how to look for signs of monarch activity and what you can do to help the population in your backyard. Following the program we will look for caterpillars and eggs on milkweed plants in the park. Very kid friendly!