Nourish Your Need for Nature™

Since 1967, Dodge has been connecting children and adults to nature. With a mission to provide exceptional experiences in nature through environmental education, Dodge Nature Center and Preschool are nationally recognized. Nourish Your Need For Nature™ by joining an upcoming nature experience.

Plan Your Adventure

Annual benefit is a success!

Thank you to the Nights for Nature donors and sponsors who contributed more than $300,000 to support nature-based education at Dodge Nature Center and Preschool! The huge impact of your gifts will resonate at Dodge throughout the next year, as people of all ages learn in the outdoor classroom. Your generosity will help bring greater access for all to the natural world.

If you haven’t yet made your gift, you still can! Increased access is a top priority for Dodge, and you can help connect people in the Twin Cities to the benefits of nature.

Learn more and make an impact

Updates from Dodge

Trails are open to the public. We recommend you follow the state’s Outdoor Recreation Guidelines (updated May 17). Please spread out around our three properties: Main Property, Lilly Property, and Marie Property. If parking lots are full, consider hiking another time. We welcome human hikers, but please leave your dogs and bikes at home. This protects wildlife and native landscapes.

Dodge buildings and barns remain closed to the public. Limited indoor space is open to scheduled groups and rentals.

Thank you for keeping our community safe and for your continued support. Please check back here for the most up-to-date information.

Last updated: October 13, 2021

Campaigning to connect you to nature

In September 2020, Dodge Nature Center and Preschool launched Nourishing Everyone’s Need for Nature, a $40 million campaign to increase access and improve sustainability. Because of donors like you, the campaign is off to the strongest of starts. Over $30 million donated and pledged to the 4-year goal!

Dodge made headlines:
Star Tribune | Pioneer Press | KSTP-TV | West St. Paul Reader

News Release—September 17, 2020 | Image Gallery
Media inquiries: Kathy Graves, 612-242-3184, kathy@parenteaugraves.com

Learn more

Bring Dodge to you

Host Dodge at your site

Can’t come to Dodge? Let us come to you! Our naturalists can bring nature learning to your location and give you hands-on experiences and with animals.

Schedule a program

Virtual Learning with Dodge

Explore educational content from Dodge naturalists, including videos featuring many of our animal ambassadors, interactive worksheets, nature coloring pages, blog posts and much more!

Explore now