I Spy on the Trails - August 1-15, 2026

Twin Springs Trail, Decorah IA

I spent a quieter two weeks waiting for a steroid shot to kick in on the bum foot. Shorter, slower and flatter hikes were my jam. While going slow didn't get me far, it gave me lots of time to linger and observe dragon- and damselflies, bumblebees, butterflies and oh so many flowers and fungi!

Our mornings are already starting to be dewy and foggy and we received a bit of rain throughout these two weeks. Temperatures were a seasonal high 70s and 80s. Humidity was variable. My goal was getting out early before the heat piled on, so mosquitoes and I made some acquaintance on the trails!

Pre-emergent dog-day cicada nymph
Note the split starting at the head 

The most fun day of hiking  brought a friend and me to three spots in Decorah IA: Butterfly Garden and Community Prairie; Twin Springs Park and Malanaphy Springs. We clocked in with 4 miles on flat and some rolling trails over the course of the morning and early afternoon. It was great to stretch out a bit more to test my foot and we saw amazing sights at each trail.  Seeing a pre-emergent dog-day cicada nymph casing (note the split in the back where the adult emerges) was the best!

On the learning front, I give a huge shout-out to the Friends of Houston (MN) Nature Center.  They sponsorsed an outstanding talk by Dan Jackson about the characteristics and life cycle of dragon- and damselflies. I learned a ton. They also developed a great informational display at the center on these fascinating members of the odonata order.

Hope you can take advantage of the many learning opportunities like this in the Driftless. They'll enrich your time on the trails!

Can you spot the common green darner dragonfly?

Plant Observations
Bloomed:

• alyssum, hoary

  

  Spotted bee balm with
   brown-belted bumblebee

  
  
• beebalm, spotted
• bellflower, American
• black-eyed Susan
• blazing star, dwarf (or cylindrical)
• blazing star, meadow
• blazing star, prairie
• Blazing star, rough
• boneset, false
• boneset, tall
• buttercup, water
• catnip
• cinquefoil, tall
• clover, purple prairie
• clover, silky prairie
• clover, white prairie
• compassplant
• coneflower, cutleaf
• coneflower, grey-headed 

  

  Compassplant

  
  
• coneflower, sweet
• coreopsis, prairie
• cupplant
• Culver’s root
• fern, bracken
• fern, bulblet bladderfern
• fern, interrupted 
• fern, lady
• fern, New York
• fern, northern maidenhair
• flax, grooved
• fleabane, prairie
• germander, American
• goldenrod, Canada
• goldenrod, early

  

  Joe-Pye weed

  
  
• goldenrog, giant
• goldenrod, gray
• goldenrod, Missouri
• goldenrod, tall
• goldenrod, white flat-topped
• harebell
• indigo, wild white
• ironweed, prairie
• jewelweed
• Joe-Pye weed, sweet
• leafcup, small-flowered
• milkweed, butterfly weed
• milkweed, common
• milkweed, whorled
  
• mint, slender mountain

  

  Plains snakecotton
  (a first for me!)

  
  
• mint, Virginia mountain 
• onion, nodding
• partridge pea
• poppy mallow, purple
• primrose, evening
• snakecotton, plains
• snakeroot, white
• spurge, flowering
• sunflower, false
• sunflower, few-leaf
• sunflower, stiff
• sunflower, western (few-leaf)
• primrose, evening
• rattlesnake master
• vervain, blue
• wild bergamot
• wild quinine

Grasses/sedges:

• grass, big and little bluestem

  

  Purple lovegrass and
  little blueste

• grass, bottlebrush
• grass, Canada wild rye
• grass, purple lovegrass
•  grass, side oats grama
• grass, switchgrass
• grass, Virginia wild rye
• grass, yellow indiangrass
• sedge, white bear

Greened/sprouted:

• artichoke, Jerusalem
• aster, white heath
  

  

  Field thistle, 
  a native forb

• bushclover, roundheaded
• blazing star, rough
• goldenrod, showy
• goldenrod, stiff
• sagebrush, white
• sunflower, stiff
• thistle, field

Fruited/Past bloom:

• coreopsis, prairie
• leadplant
• St. John’s wort

Green cheese polypore mushroom

Moss/Lichen/Fungi

• fungi, white jelly
• fungi, wolf’s milk slime mold
• moss, woodsy thymemoss
• mushroom, artist’s conk 
• mushroom, fuzzy foot
• mushroom, golden oyster
• mushroom, green cheese polypore
• mushroom, hexagonal polypore
• mushroom, russula, blood red
• mushroom, russula, pocket-stalked 
• mushroom, scarlet elfin cup
• mushroom, slippery Jack
• mushroom, sweetbread

Wildlife (seen, heard, detected):
Birds

• blue jay
• bluebird, eastern
• cardinal
• catbird, grey
• cedar waxwing
• chickadee, black-capped
• dickcissel
• finch, house
• finch, purple 
• flycatcher, least
• gnatcatcher, bluegray

  

  Bell's vireo
  Image - Jonathan Irons
  Merlin Bird ID

  
  
• goldfinch, American
• goose, Canada
• hawk, red-tailed
• indigo bunting
• killdeer
• kingbird, eastern
• mourning dove
• sparrow, clay-colored
• sparrow, field
• sparrow, house
• sparrow, savannah
• sparrow, song
• sparrow, swamp
• vireo, Bell's
• vulture
• warbler, northern yellow
• wood-pewee, eastern
• woodpecker, downy
• woodpecker, hairy
• wren, northern house
• wren, sedge
• yellow throat, common

Insects:

• beetle, goldenrod soldier
• bumblebee, black-and-gold
  
• bumblebee, brown-belted
• bumblebee, common eastern
• bumblebee, lemon cuckoo
• butterfly, eastern tailed-blue

  

  Eastern tailed-blue butterfly 
  (another first for me!)

  
  
• butterfly, Monarch
• butterfly, northern crescent
• butterfly, painted lady
• butterfly, red admiral
• butterfly, silver-spotted skimmer
• butterfly, swallowtail, black
• butterfly, swallowtail, tiger
• cicada, dog-day nymph
• damselfly, tule bluet
• damselfly, white-legged
• dragonfly, autumn  meadowhawk
• dragonfly, eastern amberwing
• dragonfly, eastern pondhawk
• dragonfly, green darner
• dragonfly, twelve spotted skimmer
• dragonfly, widow skimmer 
• grasshopper, red-legged
• wasp, great black digger

What are YOU seeing on your hikes?

Two weeks of hikes
Hikes below in colored, bold type or underlined have links to previous posts OR descriptions and/or location of the trails found online.

Holland Sand Prairie, Holman WI (2); Twin Springs, Decorah IA; Butterfly Garden and Community Prairie, Decorah IA; Malanaphy Springs, Decorah IA;  Upper Mississippi National Wildlife & Fish Refuge Visitor's Center, Brice Prairie; Great River Bluffs State Park, Nodine MN

See you on the trails!

Rock formation
Malanaohy Springs trail, Decorah IA

The "I Spy on the Trails" column is a phenology (the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals) journal to chronicle year-round the weather, plant life and wildlife I observe while hiking. It is very useful in helping me compare observations from year-to-year. The column is published monthly from September through April and then twice-a-month from May through August when warm weather brings the natural world back to vibrant life.

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Primo prairie time, mosquito-free!

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Looking for Mosquito-free Hikes?

Because most of our state has been in drought and experienced some very high temperatures this summer, the woods and wetlands had fewer mosquitoes. I even found myself taking a few woods and wetlands walks...which is very unusual for me.

But recent torrential rains around the Driftless brought on a bumper crop of late season mosquitoes. I answered a recent post on our local community Facebook group asking for ideas for places to hike mosquito-free. 

While midday hiking can usually result in fewer mosquitoes, it does result in increased heat as the days warm up. Morning and evening hiking in most woods and wetlands can mean hordes of skeeters.

So here are a few suggestions to try to help us avoid the worst of mosquitoes for the next month until cold weather returns and slows them down. And if you do decide to go on favorite hikes in mosquito land, be sure to armor up. One can hike in a cloud of mosquitoes, bite-free - but it isn't always cool or fun!

Mosquito-less (mostly) Hikes in the Driftless

Holland Sand Prairie - W7781 County Road MH, Holmen WI

This wide open sand prairie has mowed trails around it's perimeter and gorgeous native flowers and grasses throughout the summer and fall. The butterflies, bumblebees and other insect life is teeming here as well.

Brice Prairie Visitor's Center, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge - N5727 Cty Rd Z, Onalaska WI

Aspahlt and gravel trails wind around the perimeter and through amazing native prairie plants and grasses. Be sure to check out the Lake Onalaska lookout and the Visitor's Center. Restrooms available.

Beaver Creek Valley State Park - 15954 County Rd 1, Caledonia, MN

There are very few mosquitoes in this narrow wooded valley with the clear Beaver Creek rushing through it. The trails along the stream out to the prairie are flat and quiet hikers will often see deer.

Whitewater State Park - 19041 MN-74, Altura, MN

Another park with some high valley walls as well as running water in their streams keeps mosquitoes way down. The moving water makes a difference. Trails take you to fabulous lookouts and small wild remnant prairies.

Apple Blossom Overlook Park -  169 County Hwy 1, Dakota, MN

Stay up on the prairie trails for spectacular river views and awesome native prairie plants on display. If you dip down into the woods, you WILL be meeting mosquitoes, so stay high, my friends!

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge - W28488 Refuge Rd, Trempealeau, WI

The Prairie's Edge Loop trail is a great spot to see dry sand prairie plants and avoid the mosquitoes that can hide on shadier trails. You can hike, bike or drive this loop.

Butterfly Garden and Community Prairie - 4 Ohio St, Decorah, IA

This well-maintained garden identifies plants and pollinators at the entrance. Then head out on multiple mown trail loops to enjoy the wider restored native prairie surrounded by the Upper Iowa River and nearby limestone cliffs.

Mathy Quarry - N3065 County Road FA, La Crosse, WI

Stay out of the woods and head up to the prairie and down to the quarry to enjoy prairie flowers and the quarry walls.

New Amsterdam Grasslands - W7900 Old NA, New Amsterdam, WI

The entire trail system of mowed grass trails is once again open on this 310 acre grassland prairie (most of the trails are closed May-July to support undisturbed nesting of grassland birds during their breeding season). 

In general, look for prairies or trails near running water to keep mosquito action down. There are plenty of places to enjoy bite-free! And our woods and wetlands will be great to get back to in fall!

Images - Marge Loch-Wouters

How Does Nature Impact Us?

Reno Quarry overlook MN

I love talking with people who spend time in nature. While hiking is my jam, I also paddle, amble, bike, camp, fish and, in general, adventure. Like so many others, I wouldn't do any of it if it didn't resonate with me. 

When I ask what brings them out, people cite increased health benefits and opportunities to exercise; the freedom of being outdoors; the joy of being in nature; the pride in living off what the land offers through foraging, fishing and hunting; the calmness that comes with intereacting deeply with nature; the wonder of learning more about the flora and fauna surrounding them, and the passion to contribute to conservation of the environemnt and environmental ecoscapes.

Of course there are many other reasons. But we all share a passion for nature.

A recent article titled "What Happens to Your Brain in Nature? Neuroscience explained" [The Conversation. Estarellas, Mar. March 16, 2026] explored why we often feel a sense of calm in nature that encourages us to return often to the outdoors.

South Park, Houston MN

The author writes: 
"Looking across the 108 studies, we found a broadly consistent pattern, which we summarize as a cascade of effects through which nature may influence the brain.

First, natural settings are often easier for the brain to process. Their shapes and rhythms frequently follow fractal patterns, like those seen in coastlines, leaves and clouds, which the brain appears to process efficiently.

This may reduce sensory and perceptual load. As that happens, stress-related systems begin to settle and the body can shift out of fight-or-flight mode.

Attention may then become less effortful, and emotional processing more stable. We describe this as a pathway linking perception, stress regulation, attention and self-related processing."

Click here to read this short fascinating article and see if it resonates with you.

Bass Hollow SNA WI

At about the same time I came across the above article, I also read an article about how nature, or more specifically, local parks positively impact our communities.  And this local impact refers back to how nature affects us as well.

Titled "Your Local Park is Bringing in the Green (and by that we mean money)", [Grist. Simon, Matt. June 5, 2026] discusses how important green space and parks are to people. It looks at the economic return that communities get by providing green space - think of how often we stop for food and drinks or to pop into stores in communities near where we hike. Beyond that though, the article talks about other positive benefits of these natural areas like promoting mental health, beautifying the community, providing needed "third spaces" and creating a more resilient environment as our climate changes as well.

The author writes: "Parks aren's as much about land as they are about people. In an increasingly commodified world, they're one of the few remaining public places where folks can roam without the pressure of spending money. That makes them a critical kind of "third place, " somewhere to gather beyond the workplace and the home. Whereas people must pay a premium to use a gym, they can use a park or rec center for free."

Click here to read the article.

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

The Border Trail, Cook County MN

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - March 2026

For more information on the trips, where available, please click on the brown event titles for a link to the program or hike. 

I will be updating this post throughout the month as new events are announced - usually an additional 5-8 as the month goes on - so feel free to stop back for updated info.

Golden morning sky

March Events

In last month's edition of events listings, we shared some amazing 40 hour training courses for Master Naturalist volunteer certification. All of them occurred during the day and in person. I "get" the challenges this presents for working folks. So I want to share this new online summer MN Master Naturalist training that I noticed coming up this summer with evening sessions and morning sessions!

Online Minnesota Master Naturalist Certification Training for Big Woods, Big River biome

Registration is now open for an online Big Woods, Big Rivers Minnesota Master Naturalist Course. We offer either a Morning or Evening section which you will be able to choose when you pay.
Summer Morning - Thursdays  from 9:30 - 11:00 am, weekly May 27-August 5  or

Summer Evening - Thursdays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, weekly May 27-August 5
The Big Woods, Big Rivers course explores the natural and cultural history of Minnesota’s temperate deciduous forests – the area that runs from the northwest corner to the southeastern region of the state. The class will cover the same topics (geology, water, plant communities, wildlife, human impacts, interpretation) as an in-person class, but will take place mostly online, using Zoom for class meetings and the learning platform Canvas. One in-person field trip is also REQUIRED in the Twin Cities metro area on either Friday, July 10 or Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 am-5:00pm. The class will meet online every week from May 27 through August 5, 2026. In addition to class meetings, participants are expected to spend an additional 3 hours working independently between online sessions to complete assignments such as reading the text, viewing lecture videos, researching on the internet, visiting a nature location near home, and completing journal entries. To successfully complete the course, participants will be expected to attend all class Zoom sessions, an in-person field trip and complete a small group capstone project. Sponsor: University of Minnesota Extension

Winter Blufflands Hike - Lower Hixon Forest 

 - Sunday, March 1         1:30 pm

 - Forest Hills Tennis Court parking lot

Hixon Forest - Regarded by many, the outdoor gem of La Crosse, known for its extensive trail network. Split into two regions, Upper and Lower, Hixon Forest offers activities for hikers, mountain bikers, runners, birdwatchers, etc. We will enjoy hiking LOWER HIXON in this event. We will have an easy 3 mile option and for those who want a little more a 5.5 mile option. What they include: 3 Mile Option: The lower Bicentennial/Hickory Trails Loop. Includes exploring the Flury Farmstead ruins. 5.5 Mile Option: We will begin on the same route as the 3 Mile, but will climb the bluffs via Savanna Trail to connect with Vista before descending back to our cars. Also includes Flury Farm, Lookout Prairie Overlook and Vista Prairie Overlook. DIFFICULTY: 3 Mile Option: Easy. 5.5 Mile Option: Moderate. Both start at the Lower Hixon Forest Trailhead Parking Lot  (https://maps.app.goo.gl/sm3ixXjTLxnR6ook8) Sponsor: Blufflands Hiking Group

Candlelight Hike. Canceled due to weather and trail conditions

 - Tuesday, March 3              5:00pm

 - Gateway Trailhead, 3020 Grandad Bluff Rd, La Crosse WI

A crowd favorite! ORA will again host a series of candlelit walks! This is a free, all-ages event that begins at 5pm, and lasts until 7pm, or until we run out of fire wood! This location utilizes a path that is considered "easy to moderate" to navigate. Candles will light the route, but if you'd like to see clearly where you're stepping, consider wearing a headlamp or bringing a flashlight. These walks are self-guided. Snacks and beverages will be on site, including fire pits with s'mores! Sponsor: ORA: Outdoor Recreation Alliance

Enviro-Wednesdays

 - Wednesday, March 4               7:00-8:00pm

 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse WI
Enviro-Wednesdays is an adult (ages 14+) nature series on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 PM at The Nature Place (unless otherwise noted). Free, no registration necessary.  Join us to enhance your nature knowledge. Different topics and speakers every month! This month’s program: Aditi is a high school senior in Onalaska, WI. She is passionate about Earth and Planetary Sciences. Sustainability work is also important to her. She will talk about her work on her sustainable technology book and her Miyawaki forest projects, both of which she did with funding from the Youth Climate Action Fund. She will also discuss sustainability and climate education in schools and how it is so important for the younger generation to be informed. Aditi loves to see how policy and government intersect Earth and Space, and plans to do an interactive workshop for kids around La Crosse County on this topic, taking them around the bluffs, rivers, and courthouses! Sponsors: The Nature Place and Friends of the Marsh.

International Owl Festival

- March 6-8            all day
- 126 E. Cedar St, Houston MN
Live owl programs, kids crafts, owl prowls, speakers and other activities plus much more at this event International Owl Center in Houston MN. Sponsor: International Owl Center, Houston MN

Nature Saturday for Families

 - Saturday, March 7           9:30-11:30am

 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse WI

Join us for a free family event at The Nature Place on the first Saturday of each month. Each event provides a unique seasonal opportunity to learn about the critters and nature patterns found within our region's ecosystem. If you have a question about the event, please reach out to our Community Programs Manager, Steph Hanna at Steph.Hanna@natureplacelacrosse.org **Weather notices or immediate updates regarding one of these events will be shared on our FB stories the day of the event. Sponsor: The Nature Place

Hands-on maple syrup making at Whitewater (MN) State Park

Aldo Leopold Day Observance 

 - Saturday, March 7       9:00am-noon

- 789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI

Join us for La Crosse’s annual celebration of Aldo Leopold and his enduring land ethic — the idea that the land is “a community to which we belong.”This year’s program is held at The Nature Place and will explore how birds and aquatic insects serve as indicators of environmental health, reflecting both the strength and vulnerability of our ecosystems! We have incredible speakers lined up:
-Dan Goltz, Wildlife Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will discuss his involvement in sampling eaglet blood to study pollutants such as PFAS and their ecosystem impacts.
-Richie Swanson, Citizen Scientist & Environmental Blogger will teach us how mayfly populations reveal pollution levels and what that means for the birds that rely on them.
-Christine Custer, Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey – “Using birds as indicators of contaminant exposure and effects: Perspectives from 50 years of study.”
The morning also includes FREE activities through our usual Nature Saturday’s Program, including the following activities:
-Crafts, and live animals in the Discovery Room
-Readings from A Sand County Almanac
-Additional community outreach tables in the atrium
-A guided marsh walk with Friends of the Marsh
Since 2000, communities across Wisconsin have gathered to honor Leopold’s legacy and reflect on our shared responsibility to care for nature. Partnerships for this event include: Mississippi Valley Conservancy, Friends of the Blufflands, Viterbo University D.B. Reinhart Institute, Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, and ORA Trails.
Program Timeline:
-9:00 AM – Doors Open
-9:10 AM – Welcome & first reading from “A Sand County Almanac” - Dave Skoloda & Karen Acker
-9:30–11:30 AM – Nature Saturday’s – FREE Family activities in the Discovery Room offered by The Nature Place
-9:30–10:00 AM – Dan Goltz – “The Impact of PFAS”
-10:05–10:35 AM – Richie Swanson – “Mayfly populations reflect pollution levels”
-10:35–10:55 AM – Break & outreach tables
-11:00–11:30 AM – Christine Custer – “Using birds as indicators of contaminant exposures”
-11:35 AM – Second reading from “A Sand County Almanac” from Pat Wilson
-Noon – Optional marsh walk with Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 7      10-11:30 am

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

 

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 7      1--2:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Online webinar - Learn About MN's Wilderness Inquiry

 - Monday, March 9         10:00 am

 - email muse.abdi@olmsteadcounty.gov for Microsoft Teams link

Join presenter Tracy Larson to learn about the impactful work of MN's Wilderness Inquiry. Their mission is to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities and abilities through outdoor adventures - so everyone can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature. Learn about inclusive, nature-based programming; explore partnership opportunities with Wilderness Inquiry and discover how outdoor experiences support health and learning. Tracy Larson is the Education and Day Program Manager at Wilderness Inquiry. She leads the development and planning of outdoor education programs for K-12 schools through WI's Canoemobile program. She collaborates closely with teachers and school districts to create meaningful outdoor learning experiences that support academic success and student wellbeing. Sponsor: Southeast MN Park Rx Coalition

Driftless Eco-Explorers for Children

 - March 11 and March 18     11:00-11:45 am

Sponsor: La Crosse County Library

Driftless Geology

 - Wednesday, March 11             10:00 am - noon

  - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Join us March 11th at 10 am for our monthly A.L.P. at the Whitewater State Park visitor center (Advanced Learning Program) hosted by the Friends of Whitewater State Park! In March, we welcome Jeff Green, retired Hydrogeologist. He will be taking us on a journey through the science behind how the surface and subsurface geology effect the way water moves through the landscape. He will be highlighting the unique features that characterize the Driftless region of Minnesota and how they differ from the rest of the state. Sponsor: Friends of Whitewater State Park

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 14      10-11:30 am

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Maple Syrup Fest
- Saturday, March 14              Noon-4:00pm
- Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, 28097 Goodview Dr, Lanesboro, MN

Be a part of the entire maple syrup making process, from identifying maple trees to a sap boil-off!
Tours will start every half hour between 12-4pm. A tasty treat of maple syrup and mini pancakes awaits you after your tour. Think you know your syrup? Take part in our maple syrup taste test! Cost $10/person; kids 5 and under are free, youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket. Pre-registration and walk-in registration both welcomed. Sponsor: Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 14      1--2:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Spring Equinox Sunset Hike (page 4)
 - Friday, March 20th            6:45 PM
 - Yellow River State Forest, Luster Heights Unit
481 Luster Heights Rd., Harpers Ferry IA
Celebrate spring with Assistant Naturalist Melissa on this scenic sunset hike! The hike will start from the Luster Heights Unit and will be approximately 2 miles long. This event is open to all ages, but participants younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsor: Allamakee County Conservation Corps

Sand Point Bird Walk

 - Saturday, March 21         9-11:00 am

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the Sand Point parking lot off Hwy 61

Walk through the riparian forest and along the beach to Sand Point. Hope to see winter resident birds of the forest as well as early spring migrating waterfowl. Bring binoculars. The trail is well maintained and flat. It can be muddy following rain. The full loop is approximately 2 miles long. When birding, this can take 2-4 hours depending upon how many birds we’re seeing, but you can leave whenever you would like. No need to register but if you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park and Frontenac State Park Association.

Ferryville's  Bald Eagle Day 

https://www.facebook.com/Ferryvillewi

 - Saturday, March 21            9:30am-2:00pm

 - Ferryville (WI) Village Hall, 170 Pine St (off Hwy 35), Ferryville WI

Live raptors, educational programs, eagle art by students, kids crafts, hooting contest and bald eagle nest building. Sponsor: Ferryville Tourism

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 21      10-11:30 am

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

 

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 21      1--2:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Maple Syrup Making Demonstration
 March 21.       1:00-3:00 pm - TBD 
 - Iowisota Retreat and Education Center, 2472 Hwy 26, Lansing, IA
Come join us to learn how maple syrup is made! This is a free demonstration and learning opportunity; we will have a free will donation jar out if you want to contribute toward costs of production and take home a bottle of syrup Programming/participation: No Cost; We ask for an RSVP so we know how many people we might have. This is a small-volume production, with 25-35 tapped maple trees on-site. You will get to observe and/or participate in the steps of making maple syrup: Setting a tap in a tree, collecting sap from the maple trees, reverse osmosis to remove some of the water, boiling the concentrated sap to remove more water and caramelize the sugars, filtering and bottling. And, of course, tasting! We plan to start the short hike at 1:30, followed by demonstrations of the other steps around 2:15; so if you are not able to do the short walk, feel free to join us a bit later. Sap flow is highly temperature dependent, so weather conditions will affect whether sap is flowing during your visit. We expect that you might want to spend up to 2 hours learning about the various steps. Owners Dennis and Linda Haugen are both foresters and will explain the process and answer questions about all the steps, including management of the trees. They have been making syrup on-site since 2014, and Linda has known these woods since 1968. If you would like to do a visit at another time with an after-school or homeschool group, let us know and we can set something up. Maple syrup (limited quantities available): Suggested donation of $18/pint; bring cash or check. The tastings are free: register here. Sponsor: Iowisota Retreat and Education Center

Golden Eagles Club - Mindfulness Walk

 - Thursday, March 26               10-11:00 am

 - Effigy Mounds National Monument, 151 Hwy 76, Harper's Ferry IA

Join a park ranger for a mindfulness walk on the Yellow River Boardwalk. This is one in a winter series offering weekly programing for our new Golden Eagles Club at the park. These programs are intended for mature adults but open to anyone. Programs may be a variety of activities and topics and will run weekly until April. For a full schedule of the weekly presentations (book  discussions, hands-on work and presentations), please visit their events website. Sponsor: Effigy Mounds National Monument

Insects in Winter for Kids with Happy Dancing Turtles

 - Thursday, March 26         4-5:00 PM

 - La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St

Join Nora and Delaney from Happy Dancing Turtle to discover where our insects go in the cold winter months. Take a closer look at the life cycle of an insect, and dissect a gall to find out what is inside! Sponsors: La Crescent Public Library/Happy Dancing Turtles

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 28      10-11:30 am

Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family

 - Saturday, March 28      1--2:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park, Visitor Center,  19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Reservations are required and space is limited. Sign up by calling 507-312-2301 or email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Do you know of other March hiking/learning events I should include? Just drop me a line in comments or the contact box on my web version of the blog.


You can read my quarterly column on seasonal hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and IA.

ORA’s Community Trail Farm is Open!

Hot off the presses! ORA announced at 9 am on Wednesday, December 17 that the Community Trail Farm in La Crosse is now open to hikers/bikers. Check out more info on the Trails, vision and fundraising at ORA’s website. 

🎉 The gate is open! The Community Trail Farm is now officially open for public pedestrian and bicycle access! There is no parking available on site but you may park at Pammel Creek Park and run/walk/ride in. While this opening comes earlier than anticipated, we believe it’s important to welcome the community into the space as soon as possible, inviting public enjoyment while we continue building and restoring the Community Trail Farm.

🚶‍♀️🚲 Pedestrian & bike access only

⏰ Open daily | 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

🚗 No public parking on-site yet

👉 Public parking is available at State Road School and Pammel Creek Park

📍 Walk or bike in using the existing bridge

This project is still actively being built  and restored, and you’re getting to explore it in the early stages. Trails, restoration work, and future amenities will continue to take shape over  the coming months and years. Please follow all posted signage as you explore and help us care for a space that’s still being built.

Thank you to our community of donors, volunteers and change makers who made this vision come to life. This is a true community effort and we are so honored to open this space to the public. 

Check out their FB post announcement here.

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - September 2025

For more information on the trips, where available, please click on the brown event titles for a link to the program or hike. 

I will be updating this post throughout the month as new events are announced - usually an additional 5-8 as the month goes on - so feel free to stop back for updated info.

September Events 

The view from FSPA land on St. Joseph’s ridge
Image - Karen Solverson for the Mississippi Valley Conservancy

Gardens and Gazing on St. Joseph's Ridge - Advance registration open until September 17

 - Saturday, September 20          5:30-9:00pm

 - FSPA Land on St. Joseph's Ridge, W2658 WI Hwy 33, La Crosse

Families, nature lovers, and stargazers are invited to a special evening of discovery and connection with nature at the popular Gardens and Gazing event hosted by Mississippi Valley Conservancy, in partnership with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) and the La Crosse Area Astronomical Society. This free event offers a rare opportunity to explore the serene gardens and protected farmland and woods at FSPA land, where food is grown for the sisters and the community. 
The evening begins with a walking tour of their beautiful gardens, led by FSPA guides, who will share the inspiring story of how the sisters care for the land and grow food that supports local communities, and how their green burial sites are providing a more natural approach at the end of life. Visitors will also learn about the long-standing stewardship values behind this 200-acre property, which the Franciscan Sisters purchased in 1895 and have protected ever since. In addition to the garden tour, a guided hike will lead guests along a scenic woodland trail to a ridgetop with sweeping views of the Driftless Area’s bluffs and valleys—just in time for sunset. As night falls, members of the La Crosse Area Astronomical Society will provide telescopes and expertise for viewing the stars and constellations in the late summer sky. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds prior to the event starting at 5:30. To round out the evening, guests can enjoy light refreshments and snacks as they prepare to enjoy the night sky. Don’t miss this chance to connect with the land, the sky, and a community that values both. For more details (including proposed timeline) and registration, click here. questions? Contact Karen Solverson at karen@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 8. Sponsors: Mississippi Valley Conservancy, La Crosse Area Astronomical Society, Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Nature Explorers: Catch a Butterfly
- Tuesday, Sept 2    10-11:00 am
- Frontenac (MN) State Park
This is one in a free series of nature programs for children ages 3-6. Learn about nature in the Lake Pepin area with stories, crafts, and outdoor exploration. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Additional session:  Oct 7 (Spooky Critters). Sponsors: Project Get Outdoors and Frontenac State Park Association.

Check Out the Trails

 - Friday, September 12     10-10:45 am

 - Hixon Forest Lower Trails Parking Lot, 901 Milson Ct, La Crosse WI

Join library staff for a chance for all ages to enjoy a hike in nature. We'll be hiking the Lower Hixon Bicentennial path, an easy, ~45 minute walk. There will be a scavenger BINGO hunt for bigs and littles alike! We will meet at the Hixon Forest Trail head off of Milson Ct. to start. Sponsor: La Crosse Public Library

Wildflowers and Waves - ages 12 and up

 - Saturday, September 6           9:30-11:30am

 - Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, N5727 Cty Rd Z Onalaska WI

Come explore late summer wildflowers on the prairie! This guided workshop offers a chance to learn about native wildflowers and prairie grasses, while connecting with nature through your own expressive watercolor painting. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No art experience necessary -all art materials provided. Meet inside the Refuge Visitor Center. Expect a leisurely walk of less than a mile on paved and gravel trails. Bathroom and water available inside. Free. Register here. Sponsors: La Crosse County Libraries and Eco-Expressions

End of Summer Scents and Sight Hike

 - Saturday, September 6      10:00am-noon

 - Bluffside Park Chickadee trailhead, off west Wincrest drive 

Join us for a hike through the Chickadee Circuit trail system, and enjoy the sights, scents, and sounds of early fall. More details will be shared soon! Use this Google Maps pin to find the location: . For more information, and to sign the waiver, please visit: www.winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com/events  Sponsor: Winona Outdoor Collaborative

Saturday Morning Walk with Naturalist Bruce Ause

 - Saturday, September 6      10-11 a.m. 

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the campground shower building/kiosk

Take a short, guided hike with volunteer naturalist, Bruce Ause. Bruce will lead visitors along trails through the upland area of the park pointing out a variety of natural features as they are encountered. Dress for the weather and bring sun and tick protection. Binoculars and cameras are nice accessories, but not necessary. The hike will last about an hour Bruce’s walks are by far our most popular offering. Come see why! You can follow Bruce's blog, Wacouta Nature Notes, to learn more about nature in SE MN. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Full moon
Image -Lloyd Lorenz

Moonlight Hike

 - Saturday, September 6       9 - 10:00 am

 - Wildcat Mountain (WI) State Park, Amphitheater lot

Join us for a 1.4-mile hike on the Starlight Trail as we wind through woods and along small fields under a nearly full moon. Experience the sounds and sights of the night by moonlight as we typically hike without any artificial lighting. The trail is mostly level with some uneven terrain. Wear sturdy footwear and keep bug repellent and a warm layer handy. Feel free to bring binoculars for viewing the moon and stars, or request to borrow a pair from us. Space is limited and registration is required. Please register by email or phone.Info: Emily.Alf@wisconsin.gov 608-337-4775 Sponsor: Wildcat Mountain State Park

Fire Effects on the Prairie

 - Saturday, September 6           10am-noon

 - Marowski's Bluff, 61675 Grand Vista Rd, Ferryville, WI

This is the third in a series of hikes to explore the effects of burning. The Coulee Region Chapter of the Prairie Enthusiasts conducted a burn this spring through part of the woodland and open prairie. We are pretty sure this is the first burn there in a long time (>50 years?). We included refugia, so it is easy to see the effects of fire here. It will take a long period of frequent burning to get the site back to its original state, but we've started the process. This hike is being promoted by the Ferryville Tourism Council. The idea is to have residents join us to learn more about the site and management that is going on there. The Village has an active program promoting the environment and we hope to partner in highlighting the valuable bluff prairies right in their backyard. WHAT TO BRING: Water, sun protection, insect repellent, and hat, long pants and hiking shoes are recommended. Not to scare anyone off, but the site is notoriously bad for chiggers. We'll have spray along for those that need it. FIELD TRIP LEADER: Jim Rogala. RSVP jrogala58@gmail.com DIFFICULTY: Easy to difficult. Access is from the top and we'll spend some time on the flatter area on top. For those that want to see more prairie below, we can go down the slope as far as you like, but it becomes very steep. DIRECTIONS: 61675 Grand Vista Rd, Ferryville, WI 54628. Take Quarry Rd off Hwy B; Quarry Rd turns into the winding Eagle Ridge Road which takes you to Grand Vista Rd on the right. Google Maps link. Sponsor: The Prairie Enthusiasts, Coulee Region Chapter

Geology of the Driftless
 - Saturday, September 6              10am-11:30am
 - Forestville Mystery Cave Park Visitor Center

Caves, disappearing streams and sinkholes make up a landscape called karst. Cherry Grove Blind Valley Scientific and Natural Area is a hidden gem in the story of karst topography. Master Naturalist volunteer, Ann will reveal these unique geologic features up close on this 1 mile hike. Come prepared to cross over a shallow stream on stepping stones by wearing sturdy shoes. Bug spray is recommended too. Meet at the William Morrissey Visitor Center at Mystery Cave for a brief introduction and follow Ann in your own car about 6 miles to the Cherry Grove SNA. Sponsor: Forestville/Mystery Cave (MN) State Park

Sea of Grass Prairie Walk

 - Saturday, September 6         11:00am

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park

Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty, authors of “Sea of Grass: The Conquest, Ruin, and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie,” will lead a walk on a park prairie trail, followed by a Q&A session/book signing up at the main park picnic shelter. We’ll meet in the big parking lot outside park headquarters, near the park entrance, at 11 a.m. Dave and Josephine are Minnesotans, longtime journalists now retired from the Minnesota Star Tribune. Their book, a beautiful, eye-opening, sometimes heartbreaking read, has been highlighted on such major media sites as NPR’s “Science Friday.” Come walk with them, and us! “Sea of Grass” is a highly readable brew of science, art and nature by Minnesota science journalists Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty. Join them for a prairie walk at Frontenac State Park on Saturday, Sept. 6, starting at 11 a.m. from the park

Sponsor: Frontenac State Park Association

Marnach House Hike

 - Saturday, September 6      Noon-3:00pm

 - Whitewater WMA - Marnach House Lot - Behind WMA Headquarters (The Whitewater Wildlife Management Area office is located 2 miles north of Elba, Minnesota, on State Highway 74)

The mid-1800's were a time of major change for the Whitewater Valley. Droves of people were drawn to the area by the promise of a new beginning. During this program we will feature of one of these families, the Marnachs. We will take a hike along an old stagecoach road to reach their impressive home and learn their story. Distance - 2.6 Miles Hike will start at the Marnach Lot in the Whitewater WMA, not the park.

September 7 - Registration opens for October 4 Owl Prowl
October 4 Owl Prowl -
- International Owl Center, Houston MN
We start with a 30-minute program indoors to teach you how to identify owls by sound and the ethics of calling owls. Then you hop in your vehicle and follow the Owlmobile to about three different locations in rural Houston where Jo, our resident expert owl caller, will imitate owl calls in hopes of getting some responses. The program is capped at 30 participants, and these always sell out in advance. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Due to the need to stand perfectly still for 10 minutes or more at a time, these owl prowls are not recommended for children under age 12. No pets, smoking or vaping allowed either indoors or outdoors. Sponsor: International Owl Center

Nature Explorers: Migrating Animals

 - Wednesday, Sept 10      10-11:00 am

 - Lake City (MN) Public Library

This is one in a free series of nature programs for children ages 3-6. Learn about nature in the Lake Pepin area with stories, crafts, and outdoor exploration. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsors: Project Get Outdoors and Frontenac State Park Association.

Forest Bathing

 - Thursday, September 11       10:00am

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the picnic shelter

Join certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide Sara Holger, from Project Get Outdoors, on a sensory immersion in nature. Sponsor: Frontenac State Park Association, Project Get Outdoors

Check Out the Trails - Lower Hixon

- Friday, September 26     10-10:45 am 

 - 901 Milson Ct, La Crosse WI

Join library staff for a chance for all ages to enjoy a hike in nature. We'll be hiking the Lower Hixon Bicentennial path, an easy, ~45 minute walk. There will be a scavenger BINGO hunt for bigs and littles alike! We will meet at the Hixon Forest Trail head off of Milson Ct. to start  Sponsor: La Crosse Public Library

Hemlock Trail Plant Walk

 - Saturday, Sept 13       9 - 10:00 am

 - Wildcat Mountain (WI) State Park

Want to learn more about wild plants and how to identify them? Join the Kickapoo Valley Plant Lookers on their monthly plant study along the Hemlock Trail. The study will focus on the floodplain forest, the wet cliff and the hemlock relicts. Each month, the same trail/route will be used to observe the same plants in different stages of growth. The Hemlock trail is moderate to difficult with some steep sections leading up to the overlook. The trail can be wet and slippery. Sturdy shoes and bug repellent are recommended. The event will be held rain or shine. Please meet in the Lower Picnic area parking lot. Info: Emily.Alf@wisconsin.gov 608-337-4775 Sponsor: Wildcat Mountain State Park

Effigy Mounds National Mounds Bioblitz

 - Saturday, September 13                   9:00am-noon

- North Unit Prairie, 151 State Hwy 76, Harper's Ferry IA
The public is invited to join park staff and sponsoring experts to learn how to identify bumblebees, butterflies, dragonflies, and recognize their habitat. There will also be information about invasive plant and insect species. The public will assist in tagging monarchs as part of the large-scale community science Monarch Watch Tagging Program, photograph insect species and habitat, and learn about other citizen science opportunities. Sponsor: Effigy Mounds National Monument, Allamakee County Conservation Board, Clayton County Conservation, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife.

Driftless Area BioBlitz (DABB) - Insects of the Earth

 - Saturday, September 13          10:00am-noon

 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse, WI

Join us for the free  Driftless Area BioBlitz (DABB), a community science project inviting nature lovers of all ages to explore, observe, and help document the incredible biodiversity of the Driftless Area!
A bioblitz is a collaborative effort to record as many species as possible within a specific area and timeframe. Through DABB, you can contribute to real scientific research simply by observing the natural world around you. Participants are invited to use the iNaturalist app to submit observations of wild plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms anywhere within the Driftless Area. iNaturalist is a global biodiversity platform used to connect naturalists and community scientists through shared observations that support research and conservation worldwide. This region is home to some of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in the Midwest!  Place. Sponsor: The Nature Place

Fungi Walk with a Master Naturalist

- Saturday, September 13     10-11 a.m. 

- Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the campground shower building/kiosk

Volunteer Master Naturalist Pam Miller will lead a walk to talk about fungi that grow in the park in the fall and their relationships with trees and weather. We'll hope to find a pretty hen of the woods (maitake), but nothing is guaranteed! Edible mushrooms are elusive and fickle and won't come up without recent rain, but what you learn on the hike may help you find some later. Note: Wear closed shoes and long pants and bring bug spray! Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Saturday Morning Walk with Naturalist Bruce Ause

 - Saturday, September 13        10-11 a.m. 

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the campground shower building/kiosk

Take a short, guided hike with volunteer naturalist, Bruce Ause. Bruce will lead visitors along trails through the upland area of the park pointing out a variety of natural features as they are encountered. Dress for the weather and bring sun and tick protection. Binoculars and cameras are nice accessories, but not necessary. The hike will last about an hour Bruce’s walks are by far our most popular offering. Come see why! You can follow Bruce's blog, Wacouta Nature Notes, to learn more about nature in SE MN. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Fossil Field Trip

 - Saturday, September 13        2 - 4:00 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park Visitor Center 19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

During this program, we will go and look for ancient sea life that lived in the area hundreds of millions of years ago. We'll start with a brief introduction, then drive out of the park 9 miles to hunt for fossils. Bring transportation. For more information, contact Carolyn Kocken at 507-312-2301 or by email at carolyn.kocken@state.mn.us Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Owl Prowl
- Saturday, September 13          7 - 8:00 pm
- Whitewater (MN) State Park Visitor Center 19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MNWe often hear them calling in the dark of night, but most of us are unfamiliar with the elusive creatures known as owls. At this program, you will learn how to identify the owls of Whitewater State Park by their calls as well as by their appearance and habitat needs. After a presentation, we'll go call to the owls. This program is guaranteed to be a "hoot" for all ages! Meet at the Visitor Center and come prepared to step outside for a short while after the presentation. For more information, contact Carolyn Kocken at 507-312-2301 or by email at carolyn.kocken@state.mn.us Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Driftless Eco Explorers

 - Wednesday, September 17      11:00 am         Holmen Library

 - Friday, September 19              11:00 am        Meet at Great River Landing, Onalaska

Sponsor: La Crosse County Libraries

Forest Bathing Walk

 - Wednesday, September 17      5:30-7:30pm

 - The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse, WI

This monthly walk at The Nature Place occurs on the 3rd Wednesday, May through October. Walks begin at 5:30pm and typically last between 1.5 and 2 hours. Join for one, a few, or all! We will walk less than a mile on relatively level ground. This program is appropriate for ages 16+ and can be modified to accommodate all physical abilities. Sessions are co-guided by certified Forest Therapy Guides Kati Thompson and Char Peterson. Fee for the walk is $15/participant. 25% of proceeds go back to The Nature Place for youth programming. Sponsor: The Nature Place, RejuveNature Forest Bathing

Check Out the Trails - Chad Erickson Park

- Friday, September 19     10-11:00 am am

 - Chad Erickson Park, 3601 Park Lane, La Crosse WI

Join library staff for a chance for all ages to enjoy a hike in nature. Pack your own picnic and enjoy the paved trail in the beautiful Chad Erickson Park with the library. We will meet at the shelter for a 30-minute peaceful walk and finish with a 30-minute picnic social. All ages are invited to move and snack.  Sponsor: La Crosse Public Library

Talk with a Naturalist -Bat Chat

 - Saturday, September 20      10-11:00 am

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park Visitor Center 19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Swing by the Naturalist table at the Visitor Center to learn a little about Minnesota's Bats. What kinds of bats do we have? Where do they live? How do they benefit us? What challenges to they face? How do I build a successful bat box? Drop in and talk to park naturalist Jeremy to find the answers to all your bat related questions. For more information, contact Jeremy Darst at 507-312-2301 or by email at Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Saturday Morning Walk with Naturalist Bruce Ause

 - Saturday, September 20       10-11 a.m. 

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the campground shower building/kiosk

Take a short, guided hike with volunteer naturalist, Bruce Ause. Bruce will lead visitors along trails through the upland area of the park pointing out a variety of natural features as they are encountered. Dress for the weather and bring sun and tick protection. Binoculars and cameras are nice accessories, but not necessary. The hike will last about an hour Bruce’s walks are by far our most popular offering. Come see why! You can follow Bruce's blog, Wacouta Nature Notes, to learn more about nature in SE MN. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Sand Point Bird Walk

 - Saturday, September 20       9:00-11:00 am

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park, meet at the Sand Point parking lot

Walk through the riparian forest and along the beach to Sand Point for the beginning of fall migration. We will look for migrants shorebirds such as Caspian Terns and possibly American Avocets as well as an amazing panoply of resident and migrating forest birds. Bring binoculars. The trail is well maintained and flat. The full loop is approximately 2 miles long, but you can head back whenever you need to. No need to register. If you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. This event is free. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Check Out the Trails - Hixon Forest

- Friday, September 26     10-11:00 am am

 - 2600 Old Quarry Road, La Crosse WI

Join library staff for a chance for all ages to enjoy a hike in nature. Come explore the forest on an easy-to-intermediate trail where we'll slow down and really listen—to the rustling leaves, birdsong, and the scurry of squirrels. This walk is all about noticing what’s around us and reconnecting with the natural world. If the leaves have started to turn, you'll also get to enjoy the beautiful colors of the changing season. Meet at Lower Hixon Trailhead Likely Path: Hickory to Bicentennial to make a loop starting and stopping at Hixon Forest Trailhead Parking Lot. (See Map) Age Group: Adult / All Ages Hiking/Strolling speed. Sponsor: La Crosse Public Library

Seed Collection

 - Friday, September 26     10:00am-2:00pm

 - Kellogg Weaver Dunes
Join us in collecting native prairie seed at Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA, an ancient sand prairie near the confluence of the Mississippi, Zumbro, and Chippewa Rivers. Volunteers will help search for and collect native plant seeds. This event will be led by contracted naturalist, Sara Holger. Tools, instructions, and good camaraderie will be provided. Bring water, lunch, and dress for working in the weather. If you have your own gloves you'd like to use, please bring those as well. Footwear appropriate for outdoor work/hiking is recommended. There are no maintained trails, public restrooms nor access to drinking water on this site. Registration in-advance is required. To register and get meet-up instructions, please email driftlessnaturalistllc@gmail.com. More Information- Contact Sara Holger, SNA Contract Naturalist at 507-951-5885 or by email at driftlessnaturalistllc@gmail.com Sponsor: MN DNR

Saturday Morning Walk with Naturalist Bruce Ause

 - Saturday, September 27        10-11 a.m. 

 - Frontenac (MN) State Park - meet at the campground shower building/kiosk

Take a short, guided hike with volunteer naturalist, Bruce Ause. Bruce will lead visitors along trails through the upland area of the park pointing out a variety of natural features as they are encountered. Dress for the weather and bring sun and tick protection. Binoculars and cameras are nice accessories, but not necessary. The hike will last about an hour Bruce’s walks are by far our most popular offering. Come see why! You can follow Bruce's blog, Wacouta Nature Notes, to learn more about nature in SE MN. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

Creatures of the Night

 - Saturday, September 27       6:30-7:30 pm

 - Whitewater (MN) State Park Visitor Center 19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

Join us for a program about the animals that come out at night at Whitewater State Park! We will start inside and have a presentation about the animals that are active at night in the park, then go outside for a brief stroll on the Discovery Loop behind the visitor center to hopefully see some of the creatures that call Whitewater home. Bring a flashlight or something to light your way. For more information, contact Carolyn Kocken at 507-312-2301 or by email at carolyn.kocken@state.mn.us Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Mindfulness Walk

 - Sunday, September 28.        2 - 4:00pm

 - Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA

Immerse your senses in the autumn prairie during a guided mindfulness walk at Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA. We'll explore nature with our senses in the calming setting of the sand prairie. This event will be led by contracted naturalist, Sara Holger. Bring water and snacks. Long socks and pants, a hat, and footwear appropriate for outdoor hiking is recommended. There are no maintained trails, public restrooms nor access to drinking water on this site. Registration in-advance is required. To register, and get directions, please email driftlessnaturalistllc@gmail.com. More Information- Contact Sara Holger, SNA Contract Naturalist at 507-951-5885 or by email at driftlessnaturalistllc@gmail.com Sponsor: MN DNR

Do you know of other September hiking/learning events I should include?  Just drop me a line in comments or the contact box on my web version of the blog.