Courses with Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
Family Funday: Skull & Bones (Kroening)
Family
Get up close with animal teeth and bones! Join a naturalist to examine various skulls, learn about different animals’ diets, and take a walk to see who's eating what (and whom!) out in the park. (All ages) Questions: 612-668-2478
YF-81000-F26-LYF6
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 17th 2026 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Kroening Nature Center |
Nature Tots: Ready For Winter (Kroening)
Family
The chill of winter is on its way, so how do animals get ready to survive a Minnesota winter? Learn some of the strategies Minnesota animals use in different habitats to keep safe, warm, and fed during the coldest months of the year.
YF-81000-F26-LYF3
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 7th 2026 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Kroening Nature Center |
Nature Tots: Mice, Moles & Voles (Kroening)
Family
There are lots of critters leaving tiny trails over and under the ground. Come learn about some of our smallest mammals in Minnesota, then head out to look for signs of them in the park. This is an adult/child interactive program.
YF-81000-F26-LYF4
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 5th 2026 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Kroening Nature Center |
Drop-In Nature: Nocturnal Nights (Kroening)
Family
Many animals prefer life at night. Drop by the nature center to learn more about these neighbors, explore their adaptations to darkness, and find out what we can do to make nighttime easier for animals in the city.
YF-81000-F26-LYF7
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 19th 2026 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Kroening Nature Center |
Nature Art: Weaving with Natural Materials (Kroening)
Family
Take a walk to collect tall prairie grasses and other plants to use for art. Add your touch to a group art project or make a woven decoration to take home. (All ages) Questions: 612-668-2478
YF-81000-F26-LYF10
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 14th 2026 | 1:30 - 2:30 PM | Kroening Nature Center |
Nature Art: Framed with Nature (Kroening)
Family
Take a walk around the park to find sticks, stones, and other interesting objects. Bring back your treasures and craft or decorate a picture frame. (All ages) Questions: 612-668-2478
YF-81000-F26-LYF11
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 12th 2026 | 1:30 - 2:30 PM | Kroening Nature Center |
Family Funday: Tracking Club: Prowling the Prairie (Kroening)
Family
The prairie is home to both predators and prey. Join a naturalist to explore the prairie and look for fur, bones, feathers, and other signs of animals eating – and being eaten.
YF-81000-F26-LYF12
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 31st 2026 | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Kroening Nature Center |
Tree ID: Fall Colors (55+)
Trips & Tours
Immerse yourself in the colors of fall while walking through the park with a naturalist. Learn about local tree species and how to identify trees by their seeds, bark, and colorful leaves. This class includes outdoor walking.
55-52002-F26-RO
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
- Helene Anne Gauthier
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 23rd 2026 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM | Kroening Nature Center |
John Brighenti (flickr)
Birding: Bird Profiles (55+)
Trips & Tours
Take advantage of the bare tree branches to observe bird silhouettes and learn to identify certain birds even when color or other details are not visible.
55-42401-F26-RO-3
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
- Helene Anne Gauthier
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 6th 2026 | 9:00 - 10:30 AM | Kroening Nature Center |
Nature In Focus: Restoring Water Quality in the Mississippi (55+)
Adventures in Learning
In 1926, the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities was so polluted that it was declared biologically dead. Learn about the river’s ecological recovery over the past 100 years, historical and current threats to water quality, and actions...
55-52419-F26-RO-2_copy
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
- Helene Anne Gauthier
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 24th 2026 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM | Kroening Nature Center |
Nature In Focus: Otters (55+)
Adventures in Learning
After being nearly extirpated from Minnesota, river otters have made a strong comeback. Learn about the biology of these fascinating mammals, examine an otter’s pelt and skull, then go for a walk with a naturalist to look for signs of...
55-52419-F26-RO-3
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
- Helene Anne Gauthier
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 21st 2026 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM | Kroening Nature Center |
Wildlife Tracking Animal Trails (55+)
Trips & Tours
Learn more about the animals that live in the park by following the trails they leave behind. Join a naturalist to find and identify animal tracks and sign and learn how to follow and interpret animal trails.
55-52418-F26-RO-2
Instructors:
- Carl Kroening Park Naturalists
- Helene Anne Gauthier
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 5th 2026 | 1:30 - 3:00 PM | Kroening Nature Center |