Brainerd Lakes Area MN Master Naturalists

04/22/2026

Minnesota Master Naturalists celebrate Earth Day every day! Last year MNats recorded 122352.75 hours of conservation volunteer service in our state! Get outdoors today!

Send a message to learn more

03/26/2026

Pasque Flower field trip with the West Metro Chapter of the Minnesota Master Naturalists.

Sat April 18, 1 to 3 pm (approx)
Led by WMC president Holly Einess
In person; meet in the Life Church parking lot, 2201 W 108th Street, Bloomington

View the earliest blooming prairie flowers on the bluff above Nine Mile Creek in Bloomington. After seeing the Pasque flowers we will walk down to the creek and on to the Minnesota River. Those who wish to go farther are welcome to do so on their own. Good hiking shoes/boots are encouraged; hiking poles and/or binoculars optional. You might also consider downloading an app or two (if you haven't already), such as iNaturalist or Seek for plant ID and Merlin Bird ID or Audubon for bird ID.

Please RSVP ([email protected]) if you plan to attend. Friends and family are welcome!

03/11/2026

Wildlife Series: All About Birds Webinar Session Descriptions
April 1: To kick off the 2026 wildlife webinar series, we'll introduce habitat conservation and restoration principles. Researchers from the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) will join us to present recent findings on bird ecology and population trends in Northeast Minnesota.

April 8: In this session we will learn more about the ecological importance of birds before exploring key Minnesota bird species and their habitat needs using the Forestry for Minnesota Birds guide. You'll learn how to analyze your land to identify different habitat types and what to consider when planning management actions.

April 15: In this final session in the series, you'll learn more about assessing your land for bird habitat and how to create a plan to make your land more bird-friendly. We'll also get to hear from landowners who have completed bird habitat management projects and learn from their experiences.

Learn how to manage your land for bird habitat in this three part webinar series. Sessions will highlight how to assess your site and create conservation plans and resources for promoting bird habitat. Discover highlights from the Forestry for Minnesota Birds Guidebook that can help you reach your f...

03/09/2026

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Advanced Training with Carroll Henderson, retired DNR Wildlife

Tue Mar 10, 7 pm: A National Legacy--
Fifty Years of Nongame Wildlife Conservation in MN

By Carrol Henderson, founder of Minnesota's Nongame Wildlife Program
Hybrid: Online via Zoom and in person at Minnetonka Community Center (14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka) in the Shady Oak Room

Important: Please sign up here if you plan to attend in person.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4CAEAE2FA3FE3-62771037-carrol #/
We're expecting a larger-than-usual crowd and have limited seating. (No need to sign up if you've already emailed that you'll be attending.) If the signup is full we ask that you attend via Zoom.
( https://umn.zoom.us/s/95834315126?pwd=ilbFotyDHyZ5tN7obOsbNCiamcWCpN.1 )

In 1977, Carrol Henderson was hired as Minnesota's first Nongame Wildlife Program Supervisor and was granted an annual budget of $25,000, which included his salary. Since then, thanks to the voluntary tax checkoff and lottery proceeds, the program's budget has increased dramatically. Over his decades-long career with the MN DNR, Carrol reintroduced trumpeter swans and peregrine falcons to our state; brought river otters back to the Minnesota River; and worked to protect lynx, wood turtles, timber rattlesnakes, and more. Fifteen other states have modeled their nongame wildlife programs after ours, which was the first of its kind in the country.

Come hear Carrol share firsthand accounts of our state's efforts to protect all wildlife, not just game species. And if you'd like to order a copy of his most recent book and bring it to our March meeting for signing, you can do so here. (No books will be available for sale at the meeting.)

03/04/2026

Gathering Partners registration is now OPEN! Join us this year, at the beautiful Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, May 15-17. Keynote speaker is Joe Walewski, of Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center.

Pre Conference field trips to Minneopa State Park and a cycling tour.

Excellent sessions, social activities, silent auction, photo contest, workshops and more! SEE YOU THERE!
https://gatheringpartners.umn.edu

02/24/2026

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT MEETING:

Monday March 2, 2026

5:30 pm Business Meeting

6:00 pm Presentation - John Grandin, CPAg, will present on "Salt - Friend or Foe?"

Our Chapter meetings are held at the Northland Arboretum:

14250 Conservation Drive, Baxter MN, 56425

Send a message to learn more

02/15/2026

01/23/2026

Advanced Training Opportunty!

The Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon Society is hosting a DNR Loon Program on Wednesday, January 28th. The presentation will begin at 7:00pm at the Northland Arboretum. Find the details on the program in the press release below.

This looks to be an interesting program. Hope to see you there!

Holly Grandin
Chapter President
BLA Master Naturalists

12/10/2025

Do you use a Plant ID app to help identify plants you see? Do you wish you knew more? A collaborative group of University of Minnesota Extension educators are trying to learn more about the public needs around plant ID apps. Take this short survey to help us create new content that might answer YOUR questions! z.umn.edu/plantIDapp

12/03/2025

Reminder!

For our dear friend and fellow MN Master Naturalist - Jane Stevens - There will be a memorial service at Heritage Church in Baxter Mn. - Saturday Dec. 6th at 11:00am with a light lunch to follow.

Please bring an item that reminds you of Jane and her love for nature. Wearing your MN Master Naturalist apparel encouraged.