17 Results
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Drop-In Nature: Nocturnal Nights (Kroening)FamilyMany 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. (All ages)Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Family Funday: Tracking Club: Prowling the Prairie (Kroening)FamilyThe 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. Family Tracking Club program description: Develop wildlife tracking skills, sharpen your powers of observation, and bring your sense of curiosity as you explore the park with a naturalist and learn about animals. All are welcome; geared to participants ages 5+ with a registered parent.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Family Funday: Skull & Bones (Kroening)FamilyGet 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: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
WaitlistNature Art: Weaving with Natural Materials (Kroening)FamilyTake 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: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
WaitlistNature Tots: Mice, Moles & Voles (Kroening)FamilyThere 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.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
WaitlistNature Tots: Ready For Winter (Kroening)FamilyThe 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. This is an adult/child interactive program.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Art: Natural Dyeing with Goldenrod (Kroening)FamilyGoldenrod flowers are abundant this time of year. Learn how to collect and process goldenrod flowers into a natural dye and experiment with cotton fabric to take home. (ages 8+, $5 materials fee). All materials included with $5 supply fee to be paid at Nature CenterQuestions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Nature Art: Framed with Nature (Kroening)FamilyTake 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: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Starting SoonNature Tots: Spreading Seeds (Kroening)FamilyFloaty, rolly, hard and soft, seeds come in many shapes and sizes. Explore different types of seeds and the methods they use to get around then go for a hike to find examples in the park. This is an adult/child interactive program.Questions: 612-668-2478Youth & Family Fall 2026 -
Starting SoonNature In Focus: Life Along the River (55+)Adventures in LearningThe diversity of animals that thrive in this urban stretch of the Mississippi river is an indication that the river’s water quality has improved dramatically over the past 100 years. Learn about the animals that make up a river food chain, from tiny macroinvertebrates and native mussels to fish, mink, muskrat, and otter, then walk along the river to look for signs of these animals in the park. Join a Kroening naturalist and learn more about the natural world. Each program will include natural history information, hands-on discovery, and an outdoor component. This series covers a wide variety of topics: choose your favorite or try them all to learn something new. Activities may include walking on uneven ground. Ages 18+Lifelong Learning 55+ Fall 2026 -
Tree ID: Fall Colors (55+)Trips & ToursImmerse 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. Please dress appropriately.Lifelong Learning 55+ Fall 2026 -
John Brighenti (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)
WaitlistBirding: Bird Profiles (55+)Trips & ToursTake 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. Stroll through the park with a naturalist and learn different tips to identify birds, whether perched or flying. All experience levels welcome, binoculars available. All experience levels welcome, binoculars available. Activities may include walking on uneven ground.Lifelong Learning 55+ Fall 2026 -
WaitlistNature Connections: Conifer Trees & Wreaths (55+)Creative ActivitiesGo on a hike in Theodore Wirth Park and learn tips and tricks for identifying different types of conifer trees. After the hike, we will gather at the Wirth Pavilion and make seasonal wreaths using cuttings from various conifer trees and other winter foliage. A grapevine wreath base and all greenery and decorations will be provided. Wirth Pavilion can be accessed by driving up the service road that is directly across Glenwood Ave from the Beach House parking lot entrance.Lifelong Learning 55+ Fall 2026 -
Nature In Focus: Restoring Water Quality in the Mississippi (55+)Adventures in LearningIn 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 we can take to protect it for the next generation. Try your hand at water quality tests by measuring current levels of common pollutants such as nitrates, phosphorus, and chloride. Join a Kroening naturalist for an opportunity to go in-depth on a particular topic and learn more about the natural world. Each program will include natural history information, hands-on discovery, and an outdoor component. This series covers a wide variety of topics: choose your favorite or try them all to learn something new. Activities may include walking on uneven ground. Ages 18+Lifelong Learning 55+ Fall 2026 -
Nature In Focus: Otters (55+)Adventures in LearningAfter 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 otters along the river. Join a Kroening naturalist and learn more about the natural world. Each program will include natural history information, hands-on discovery, and an outdoor component. This series covers a wide variety of topics: choose your favorite or try them all to learn something new. Activities may include walking on uneven ground. Ages 18+Lifelong Learning 55+ Fall 2026 -
Wildlife Tracking Animal Trails (55+)Trips & ToursLearn 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. This class will consist of a classroom introduction followed by exploration along the river and through the woods in search of clues. *Dress for the weather. We will go off the path so walking sticks can be useful. Class held at Carl W. Kroening Nature Center, 4900 N Mississippi Dr.Lifelong Learning 55+ Fall 2026 -
Lorie Shaull (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)
WaitlistBirding: Fall Migration (55+)Trips & ToursKeep an eye out for fall migrants and a variety of other birds while strolling through the park with a naturalist. Learn which birds migrate and how a bird’s feathers may change from summer to fall. All experience levels welcome, binoculars available. All experience levels welcome, binoculars available. Activities may include walking on uneven ground.Lifelong Learning 55+ Fall 2026