Belwin Conservancy

10/19/2026

The Fall/Winter 2026 Meadowlark is here! Highlights in this issue include:

• A Decade of Watching Over Blanding’s Turtles
• Uncovering a Prairie at Valley Creek Bluff
• Newly paved trails at Belwin’s Education Site
• Those silly squirrels!
• Conservation Corps Visits Belwin to Learn and Restore

Read the latest issue at our blog.

Thanks to Dlynn Design for the graphic design ✨

10/16/2026

Exciting updates are coming to Belwin's trails! Say farewell to the old wooden kiosks and get ready for new wayfinding signage at all Belwin's public trailheads. In the meantime, you're still welcome on Belwin's trails, and can always access maps and other information at the trailhead and online at belwin.org/visit.

10/16/2026

Thank you to the Saint Paul Garden Club for championing native plantings around the East Metro, including at Belwin! This year, a grant from the Club funded native plantings on the north side of the Wetlands Center, and further down the trail where a new overlook is being installed. We’re excited to watch this vegetation wow local school children as it grows and beautifies Belwin’s newest program area!

10/15/2026

Belwin Conservancy is pleased to welcome Daniel Larson as our next Executive Director, beginning November 9, 2026. Please join us in welcoming Daniel to the Belwin community!

Daniel has a lifelong passion for the outdoors and connecting with nature. He grew up in rural North Dakota and brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience from California to St. Cloud, Minnesota. His work has been grounded in a commitment to building community and expanding access—to education, to safety, to caring adults, to essential services, and now to nature.

"This is a truly humbling opportunity. I'm thrilled to join this amazing organization and work with the expert staff, dedicated board members, passionate supporters and amazing partners! I can't wait to get on the land, connect with the Belwin community, and start the fun of learning, growing and advocating for both the mission and the people who make Belwin what it is."

Read more about Daniel at https://belwin.org/belwin-welcomes-new-executive-director/

Photo courtesy of Daniel Larson

10/13/2026

10/08/2026

Sunrise Prairie Hike
Monday, October 12
6:45 AM — 8 AM
Stagecoach Prairie

Fall is the best time of year to experience the fullness of the prairie. Join us as we hike around Stagecoach Prairie, watching for the sun, listening to birds, and being immersed in the textures of the tallgrass prairie. We will be hiking on mowed trails with gently rolling terrain.

Bring your binoculars, water, and dress for the weather. Hope to see you there!

Learn more and register at belwin.org/events

10/02/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us at Night in Nature this week! We loved coming together to celebrate conservation, connections to nature, and the changing of the seasons.

As always, huge thanks to all the volunteers who make Night in Nature so special year after year. Special thanks to Julia Charlsen for the delicious and hearty vegan chili, and to Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse for the smoked meat and mac and cheese. We also want to thank musicians Ada Tzab and Denise Hernandez, who provided such a fun soundtrack to the evening! Thanks to our speakers: Bethany Cox, Washington County Commissioner, Angie Hong - MN Nature Awesomeness, and Kris Hansen.

And of course, thank you to the Peter J. King Family Foundation and all our campaign donors for giving us such a spectacular event venue, as well as our event sponsors, Steve Smillie and Brave North Technology, who made this evening possible.

Photos by Nancy Klinger, Maria Anastacio, and Belwin staff.

09/25/2026

Join us Sunday for an artist talk with Suyao Tian!

Hear Suyao speak about her work from 3–4 p.m. on September 27 at Belwin’s Savanna Center. Explore her art exhibition and enjoy an open hike on the Savanna Hills.

This event is part of Take Me to the River with ArtReach St. Croix

Please note: Dogs are not allowed on the Savanna Hills hiking trails.

We hope to see you there!

09/23/2026

09/16/2026

There’s still time to sign up for Exploring Cut Paper in 2-D and 3-D, taught by artist Vera Ming Wong!

Sunday, September 20, 1–4 p.m.

Explore cut paper principles and techniques from a variety of cultural traditions while creating 2-D or 3-D cut paper artwork inspired by your own sketches from nature.

As a Natural Science Illustrator and Artist with Project Art for Nature, Vera strives to inspire conservation through art. Drawing directly from nature is at the root of her own pen-and-ink, watercolor, and cut paper artwork. Through workshops and sketch outings, she helps others connect with nature through their own visual inquiry.

Learn more and sign up at belwin.org/events