Community Education at Dodge Nature Center, West St. Paul, MN

Evening and weekend programs provide an opportunity for individuals, families, and community members to learn about and enjoy the natural heritage of Minnesota. All of our classes are taught by our highly qualified naturalist staff. Below are the dates, times, and descriptions of our community programs. To the right you will see a quick reference guide of all our classes. For more information on any of these classes or about Dodge Nature Center, please call us at 651.455.4531.

Public Programs

Nature Paper
Saturday, December 8, 10:00 a.m.
Cost: $5 Members, $7 General Public, $15 Family

Using household items we will show you how to make beautiful sheets of paper out of plant material including cattails, prairie grasses, recycled paper, and even junk mail! Not only is this a fun experience, it’s a good way to recycle waste into wonderful possibilities. There will be a short hike outside to gather plant materials for our paper. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Life Under the Water-A Puppet Show Adventure!
Saturday, January 5, 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 Members, $7 General Public, $15 Family

Bring the whole family for a fun look into what is going on under the ice of our ponds and lakes. Ice painting, animal artifacts, and a puppet show will help tell the story of pond life during the winter. Dress warm. After our indoor fun we will head out to explore the pond itself. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Feeding Reptiles and Amphibians
Saturday, January 12, 10:00 a.m.
Cost: $5 Members, $7 General Public, $15 Family

Is it true that snakes can go a month without food? Do frogs really catch flies with their tongues? Why does a snapping turtle need to be in the water to eat? Come learn how these creatures live and catch their food. You might even get to feed one of the animals yourself. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Winter Picnic
Saturday, February 9, 10:00 a.m.
Cost: $5 Members, $7 General Public, $15 Family

Put on warm clothes and bring the whole family for an outdoor, wintry adventure. We'll make our way through the nature center using snowshoes and sleds (weather permitting) to observe the wildlife out and active that day. After finding a good spot, we'll throw down blankets, stoke up a fire and have hot drinks and treats. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Maple Syrup and Bannock (stick bread)
Saturday, February 9, 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 Members, $7 General Public, $15 Family

Come learn about the native people of Minnesota while hiking through the prairie and the forest. We will explore a traditional way of life by looking at how native people built their homes, what they were able to hunt, gather, and cultivate, and how they passed the time. We will end this class by telling stories around a campfire and sharing a snack of stick bread dripping with maple syrup. Pre-registration is encouraged.

It's Tree Tappin' Time!
Saturday, March 1, 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 15, 10:00 a.m.
Saturday March 29, 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 Members, $7 General Public, $15 Family

March is maple tree tappin' time at DNC! Join a naturalist and experience the time honored practice of turning maple tree sap into syrup. Learn the history of maple syruping as you hike to the sugar bush to tap a tree, visit the evaporator and sample delicious maple syrup. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Minnesota Rock History and Fossil Collecting
Saturday, April 19, 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 Members, $7 General Public, $15 Family

Hike through St. Paul Lilydale Brickyards where sandstone, shale, limestone, underground springs and caves are in abundance. We will scramble up steep rocky ravines and search through clay pits where fossils can be collected and identified. This program is designed for persons 6 yrs of age and older. Pre-registration is required

Toward an Earth Friendly Home: Composting
Friday, April 25, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Garlough Environmental Magnet School, Dodge Nature Center, and the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

Cost: FREE Location: Garlough School Carnival

Learn how you can reduce the amount of food waste in your garbage by backyard or worm composting your fruit and vegetable wastes. Participate in composting activities, and meet the Green Guardian. Spin the prize wheel for a free prize.

Rain Barrel Construction
Saturday, April 26, 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 Members, $40 General Public

Water is one of nature's most precious resources, and you need a lot of it to keep a garden going through the heat of summer. Capturing water in a rain barrel can help you lower water costs and reduce water pollution. Rain barrels are easy to build and install. Learn how to make one to collect water for your lawn and garden. All materials will be provided. Materials are included in the cost. Pre-registration is required.

Morning on the Farm
Saturday, May 31, 8:00 a.m.
Cost: $10 Members, $12 General Public,
$20 Member Family, $25 General Public Family

Pull on your work boots and bring an appetite as you spend a morning at the nature center's farm. You'll help with the morning feeding, tend to the new arrivals, and try your hand at mucking a stall. Your hard work will be handsomely rewarded with a farm breakfast of eggs, bacon (don't tell the pigs!), and pancakes with homemade syrup and hand-churned butter. Bring the family for old-fashioned fun and a home-cooked start to your day. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, May 29.

O.W.L.S.
(Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors)

First Tuesday of each month
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Cost: Free, $12 for lunch (optional)

One hour nature/history programs for seniors interested in learning more about the natural environment. Donations accepted.Registration is required by the Friday prior to the program call 651.455.4531.

The Polar Bears of Churchill
Tuesday, December 4

Presenter Diane Dombrock- avid traveler, Earth Watch Volunteer and photographer -will share her slides of a recent trip to learn about the polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba. What effect does global warming have on the polar bears’ future? Registration Deadline is November 30.

Into the Future - Dodge Nature Center
Tuesday, January 8

As we honor Dodge Nature Center 's 40 year anniversary, what lies in store for our future? DNC's Executive Director, Ben Van Gundy will be our guest presenter.

"Hot Topic" - Global Warming
Tuesday, February 5

Global warming is a “hot topic” these days, with many confusing and contradictory facts and options. Come join us as we explore some of the facts and projections of climate change and it's affect on our planet earth. A discussion on what we as individuals can do to mitigate problems follows. Guest Presenter: Pete Flemming.

Sacred Seeds and Medicinal Plants
Tuesday, March 4

Herbalist and ancient seed saver, Paul Red Elk, a Lakota Indian, joins us for a presentation on ancient seeds and medicinal plants and how a healthy native diet changed to an unhealthy diet with the introduction of contemporary agricultural practices. Examples of ancient sacred seeds, some 800 years old and medicinal plants will be on display.

The Wily Coyote
Tuesday, April 1

Learn the myths and legends of the wily coyote, an adaptable urban predator that plays a vital role in a healthy ecosystem. DNC Naturalist, Sue Dahl , is our guest presenter today.

All About Loons
Tuesday, May 6

DNR Wildlife Specialist Jan Welsh is back with lots of fun facts, stories and information on Minnesota 's favorite bird, the not so ordinary Common Loon.

Spring Creepers and Crawlers
Tuesday, June 3

Channel your inner child as we hike to the farm pond with buckets and nets to collect and identify some of those creepers and crawlers “under the boardwalk!"

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