Minnesota Master Naturalist

06/17/2026

Having trouble identifying invasive plants? Need better instruction on proper removal methods? Come join the Minnesota Master Naturalists on Thursday, June 25th at 6 PM for an informational and interactive outdoor workshop on invasive plant identification and removal. We will be meeting at the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Fireplace, 1221 Wynne Ave, St. Paul, located on the south end of the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. Please wear proper clothing for tick protection and comfortable walking shoes as we will be hiking around the woodlands. Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray as needed. Please sign up using this Google Form - https://z.umn.edu/bdqr
Hope to see you there!

06/17/2026

DNR has wildlife wing volunteer opportunities open at the State Fair! Sign up today, they go quickly! https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDNR/bulletins/41c1162

Our own Minnesota Master Naturalist booth at the state fair, will be open for volunteers on Friday. Watch FB and the Weekly update for information on how to snag a shift or two!

DNR State Fair Volunteer Positions Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. State Fair 2026 Volunteer Opportunities June 17, 2026 Join us at the Minnesota State Fair The Minnesota State Fair is coming to St. Paul, August 27 - September 7, and YOU can be a part of it Receive free adm...

06/16/2026

Showy Lady's Slipper vs Pink Lady's Slipper...can YOU tell the difference? They're both blooming now in the damper areas of the northern portion of Minnesota. Learn the difference in today's video. (Upon further investigation, it turns out that the "sticky-outey-bits" are more precisely called lateral sepals. Who knew?)

06/15/2026

Celebrate 75 Years of Minnesota’s Wildlife Management Areas

Nominate a Conservation Leader Today

The Division of Fish and Wildlife invites you to help recognize the people and partnerships that have shaped Minnesota’s Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program over the past 75 years.

Through the Diamond Honoree Award Nomination Program, we honor individuals, families, organizations, and communities whose dedication has strengthened one of the nation’s most respected public land systems. Click here for program information.

Who Should Be Nominated?

We are seeking nominees who have made meaningful contributions to:

Wildlife Management Areas in Minnesota
Fish and wildlife conservation within and for the state of Minnesota
This includes efforts such as:

Habitat restoration and enhancement
Land acquisition and preservation
Conservation leadership, advocacy, and education
Long-term partnerships or impactful projects
Be Part of the Legacy

Minnesota’s Wildlife Management Areas are a cornerstone of conservation and outdoor recreation. Help us honor those who have made this legacy possible.

👉 Submit a nomination today
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=RrAU68QkGUWPJricIVmCjL7HOVERbwhIvWykAwRbXZVUQURNOEQ4Mk9UWUtZUktOT1g0UUM5RTRIQy4u&route=shorturl

06/15/2026

Register now: Minnesota Woodland Steward - Southeast!

UMN Extension is excited to announce that the next cohort of the Minnesota Woodland Steward program will be offered in southeast Minnesota starting in August 2026. Learn strategies to steward the unique forested landscape of southeast Minnesota and develop goals for your woodland. Connect directly with fellow woodland stewards and forestry professionals through this flexible hybrid course. You will deepen your knowledge of woodland stewardship through online and field-based learning. This course is focused on southeast Minnesota, but woodland stewards from across the state are welcome to register.

Registration is free for Tribal members and sliding-scale pricing is available. Learn more and register: z.umn.edu/MWS-Register

06/14/2026

Ooohhh , ooohhh, love me some rocks and fossils. Way to rock it, MnDNR.

Nature photography rocks, literally!

In our St. Paul studio, earthen and geologic materials are ready for their close-up. 📸 Check out this behind-the-scenes glimpse into a photo session capturing the characteristics of some of Minnesota’s most notorious rocks and minerals – our photographer is snapping some regional fossils and gemstones too! 💎 Can you name any of the rocks in the photo?

We’re excited to share these new images and showcase some of the major rock types commonly found throughout Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas, such as:

🪨 Agate
🪨 Basalt
🪨 Dolostone or Limestone
🪨 Granite
🪨 Greenstone
🪨 Gabbro
🪨 Sandstone
🪨 Shale
🪨 Taconite or Iron Formation

06/14/2026

Love those fireflies. Head over to Eloise Butler to see and learn about them.

We are excited to share that Firefly Nights is back for a second year at the Garden!

Join us on the evenings of July 2 and July 9 for engaging educational activities before dark and firefly viewing once the sun sets.

Along with Garden staff, Starry Skies North and Minnesota Bird Coalition educators will be here both evenings to share about the night sky and all it provides for insects, birds, other wildlife, and people.

We can't wait to see you then!

06/14/2026

Thanks for sharing your day out! The Fumbling Forager is a Minnesota Master Naturalist volunteer.

06/14/2026

Yellow-headed Blackbirds, like Meadowlarks and Red-headed Woodpeckers, were common in my childhood on the western border. And seem now to be on the increase at the Refuge, becoming a common sight the past couple years.

06/14/2026