Field trip programs at Shepard Farm in Cottage Grove.
What makes a bird a bird? Learn about the characteristics of birds and how the adaptations of bird beaks, feet, and feathers allow birds to meet their needs. Meet some live birds and explore our mature forest to discover more feathered friends.
Learn about the importance of agriculture and the production of food when you visit the working farm at Shepard Farm. Students will observe various farm animals as we explore the barn, poultry pens, apiary, and pastures.
Many animals in Minnesota make the woods their home. Explore how animals use the forest as their habitat as we hike through the woods. Students will meet both a live forest-dwelling reptile and amphibian and learn how habitat use can change as animals go from young to old.
Learn to decipher the “stories” that animals leave behind. Students will hike the nature center grounds in search of animal homes, tracks, and scat. By observing these clues, students will discover the lives of wild animals.
What are the basic needs of survival? Students will gain an understanding of survival needs and priorities as they practice the lifesaving skills of shelter construction and fire building.
Minnesota winters are dark and cold, yet animals have developed adaptations to help them survive. Learn how migration and hibernation are not as easy as they look. Then search the nature center for clues of animals using physical and behavioral adaptations to try to survive the winter.
