Listing of upcoming events

Oceans in Peril
Jul 20, 2010 at 9:00 am (add this)
Traffic Zone Gallery, 250 Third Ave., Minneapolis (map)

Oceans in Peril, an exhibition of oil paintings by Bruce Hudson-Bogaard. This series of works, developed over the last three years, depicts the oceans as a precious resource threatened by pollution. The exhibition includes ten painting ranging in size from 20" x 24" to 40" x 90". Bruce is a professional artist of 20 years whose extensive travels and enduring work in the studio keep her close to the delicate future of our irreplacable natural resources, especially the sea around us

Sunday Trip Pack-in
Aug 1, 2010 at 5:00 pm (add this)
Wilderness Inquiry 808 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (map)

Enjoy a fun evening with our trail staff and other volunteers. Pack-In volunteers will help at the Wilderness Inquiry warehouse with returning trips. Volunteers are needed to help unload boats and trailers, wash boats, tarps, and tents, and help with a variety of other projects. WI will provide volunteers with music, snacks, fun, and a sense of accomplishment!

Starwatch Cruises on Rainy Lake
Aug 2, 2010 at 10:00 pm (add this)
Rainy Lake (map)

To commemorate the park’s 35th anniversary, Voyageurs is hosting a series of Starwatch Cruises aboard the Voyageur tour boat on Rainy Lake. There are 4 cruises offered on July 11, July 25, August 2 and August 15, 2010 from 10:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Call (888) 381-2873 for a reservation. Fees apply.

Backyard Beekeeping
Aug 3, 2010 at 6:30 pm (add this)
South Minneapolis (map)

Beekeeping has long been permitted in the St. Paul, but the City of Minneapolis has only allowed beekeeping since the spring of 2009. This is an exciting time for beekeepers in the Twin Cities. Come to our Backyard Beekeeping workshop, and find out if beekeeping is right for you! Meet local beekeeper Elise Kyllo and her bees during this class that will cover the basics of raising bees in an urban environment. Learn the benefits of raising bees, what supplies are needed, how to get started, and how to care for the hive. Cost: $15 for the public or $12 for Do It Green! Minnesota members * Members please pay by clicking on Membership link on home page and scrolling down to the bottom or by check for discounted price Workshop limit: 15 people For more info see: http://www.doitgreen.org/workshops

North Canoe Programs
Aug 4, 2010 at 10:00 am (add this)
Ash River Visitor Center (map)

Join Voyageurs National Park in celebrating its 35th anniversary by experiencing the area the way the voyageurs did – by North Canoe. From 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the Ash River Visitor Center (July 7 – August 11, 2010), park naturalists dressed as voyageurs will be your hosts. Just like the real voyageurs, everyone works together to paddle the large 26-foot North Canoes around the lake. North Canoe programs are also available at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. To celebrate the 35th anniversary, North Canoe programs will be free-of-charge all summer. Visit www.nps.gov/voya in late April for a complete program schedule.

Crosby Shoreline Buckthorn Bust
Aug 5, 2010 at 6:00 pm (add this)
Crosby Park, Mississippi River Gorge, St. Paul (map)

Help remove invasive buckthorn from shoreline at Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul. This event marks the beginning of an exciting effort to restore shoreline of Upper Crosby Lake. Removing invasive species is the first step toward increasing native species and improving habitat and water quality. As always, training, gloves, tools and guidance will be provided. Details and directions to the meeting spot will be emailed to registrants. To sign up, contact Volunteer Coordinator sue rich at srich@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x14. Please include: the name of the event, your name, address, and phone number and the number in your party.

Chimney Swift Sit
Aug 5, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
(map)

Volunteers throughout the state are needed to participate in Audubon Minnesota’s Second Annual Chimney Swift Sit for about an hour at dusk any day August 6-9 and August 27-30, counting swifts as they enter a nighttime roosting place. Volunteers can count on one night or on several nights during this designated period. Go to Audubon's website (http://mn.audubon.org/news-events) for more information and to download a participation form. If you cannot participate in the Sit but know places where Chimney Swifts might be roosting, please email Ron Windingstad at rwindingstad@audubon.org. The information collected during this event will be posted on the Audubon Minnesota web site in early September.

Evening Campfires at Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Aug 5, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Rainy Lake Visitor Center (map)

Join park staff as they celebrate the park’s 35th anniversary with a host of evening campfires this summer. The one-hour programs are held at 7:00 p.m. outside the Rainy Lake Visitor Center on Thursdays from July 8 through August 12, 2010. Free.

Day Hike at Great Rivers Bluff State Park
Aug 6, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Great Rivers Bluff State Park, MN (map)

Approximate Mileage: 4.5 Mile Circuit Class: Beginner/ Intermediate Pace: Moderate Leader: Joyce Icardo, (307) 690-7161 or ladyhiker123@juno.com Description For details please call the leader as listed for each individual outing, you will be instructed as to what you need to bring, meeting location and time. As much as possible, The Sierra Club encourages car pooling. We generally limit our group size to 12 people. Miles are recorded as "Round Trip." If a snow shoe/ski is scheduled, it will automatically become a hike if there is no snow. If a hike is scheduled, it will automatically become a snow shoe/ski if there is snow. Hikes are geared for beginner/intermediate hikers, which are usually 3-9 miles with minimal elevation gain. We are excited about our new schedule and looking forward to seeing you on our outings!

Public Farm Tour
Aug 7, 2010 at 9:00 am (add this)
Cedar Summit Farm in New Prague, MN (map)

For more info contact Parker Forsell at Land Stewardship Project 507-523-3366.

Public Farm Tour
Aug 7, 2010 at 9:00 am (add this)
Cedar Summit Farm in New Prague, MN (map)

For more info contact Parker Forsell at Land Stewardship Project 507-523-3366.

Kettle Falls Special Program
Aug 7, 2010 at 6:00 pm (add this)
Kettle Falls Hotel (map)

Join park naturalist and area native, Gary Whipple, for a special Voyageurs National Park 35th anniversary program on August 7, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30p.m. at the Kettle Falls Hotel. Gary will share the story of Kettle Falls and the surrounding area, both before and after the park was established. Free.

Sierra Club Service Trip
Aug 7, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
St. Croix (map)

The Sierra Club North Star Chapter is joining forces with the National Park Service to offer an exciting environmental service opportunity along the beautiful upper portion of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Aug. 8-14,2010. Participants will help restore canoe access points and campsites as well as help with invasive plant species control. The cost of the trip is $195 and includes meals, canoes, and shuttle transportation from the St. Croix Park Headquarters in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Group size is limited to 10. Contact Information: North Star Chapter Vicki Munson (612)659-9124 ext. 301 vicki.munson@sierraclub.org

Sunday Trip Pack-in
Aug 8, 2010 at 5:00 pm (add this)
Wilderness Inquiry 808 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (map)

Enjoy a fun evening with our trail staff and other volunteers. Pack-In volunteers will help at the Wilderness Inquiry warehouse with returning trips. Volunteers are needed to help unload boats and trailers, wash boats, tarps, and tents, and help with a variety of other projects. WI will provide volunteers with music, snacks, fun, and a sense of accomplishment!

Gardening V: Food Preparation and Preservation, Part II
Aug 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
South Minneapolis (map)

Join local cooking and gardening expert Marianna Padilla in her own home as she discusses what to do with the bounty of an urban garden. Participants will learn to prepare fruits and vegetables for immediate consumption and to preserve them for future enjoyment. This is the fifth of five gardening workshop and the first of two gardening workshops dealing specifically with food preparation and preservation. Each of these final two workshops will focus on foods that are ripe at that time. Participants are encouraged to attend both workshops in order to gain a more complete understanding of using and saving a garden's harvest. Cost: $20 per session or $75 for all 5 gardening workshops * For all 5 sessions please pay by clicking on Membership link on home page and scrolling down to the bottom or by check for discounted price. Be sure to list workshop in subject line. Workhsop limit: 10 people For more info see: http://www.doitgreen.org/workshops

North Canoe Programs
Aug 11, 2010 at 10:00 am (add this)
Ash River Visitor Center (map)

Join Voyageurs National Park in celebrating its 35th anniversary by experiencing the area the way the voyageurs did – by North Canoe. From 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the Ash River Visitor Center (July 7 – August 11, 2010), park naturalists dressed as voyageurs will be your hosts. Just like the real voyageurs, everyone works together to paddle the large 26-foot North Canoes around the lake. North Canoe programs are also available at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. To celebrate the 35th anniversary, North Canoe programs will be free-of-charge all summer. Visit www.nps.gov/voya in late April for a complete program schedule.

Great Wide Open Golf Tournament
Aug 11, 2010 at 11:00 am (add this)
Crystal Lake Golf Club (map)

THE GREAT WIDE OPEN WHAT: A best ball scramble at Crystal Lake Golf Club. Register by June 15 to be entered in a drawing to win two spots on a Wilderness Inquiry Mississippi River Day trip. WHY: Proceeds from this year's Great Wide Open Golf Tournament will purchase a 24' Voyageur Canoe. These canoes will help serve more than 10,000 disadvantaged young people on local outdoor programs. WHAT'S ON TAP: 11 a.m. - Practice tee opens 1 p.m. - Shotgun start 6 p.m. - Cocktails and silent auction 7 p.m. - Dinner, award and short program CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS: There are a number of corporate sponsorship opportunities. Contact Amanda LaRiviere at 612-676-9426 or amanda@wildernessinquiry.org for more information. NOT A GOLFER BUT WANT TO SUPPORT THE GREAT WIDE OPEN? You can register for the dinner and auction only or make a tax-deductible contribution by contacting Amanda LaRiviere at 612-676-9426 or amanda@wildernessinquiry.org for more information.

Conditioning Hike at Coon Rapids Regional Park
Aug 11, 2010 at 6:00 pm (add this)
Coon Rapids Regional Park (map)

Type: Conditioning Hike Approximate Mileage: 4 Miles Class: Beginner/Intermediate Pace: Med Leader: Joyce Icardo, (307) 690-7161 or ladyhiker123@juno.com Description Meet @6pm at parking at the visitor center or call Joyce for details. For details please call the leader as listed for each individual outing, you will be instructed as to what you need to bring, meeting location and time. As much as possible, The Sierra Club encourages car pooling. We generally limit our group size to 12 people. Miles are recorded as "Round Trip." If a snow shoe/ski is scheduled, it will automatically become a hike if there is no snow. If a hike is scheduled, it will automatically become a snow shoe/ski if there is snow. Hikes are geared for beginner/intermediate hikers, which are usually 3-9 miles with minimal elevation gain. We are excited about our new schedule and looking forward to seeing you on our outings!

Central Lakes College - Energy Day
Aug 12, 2010 at 1:00 pm (add this)
Central Lakes College Ag Center, 1830 Airport Rd., Staples, MN (map)

Take the Energy Crop Tour. View on-farm biodiesel production featuring the Megyan process and Sweet Sorghum Ethanol production. Tour one of Minnesota's oldest ethanol plants. Hear about biomass processing and utilization. Contact: Robert Schafer, Central Lakes College, rschafer@clcmn.edu, 218-894-5160

Evening Campfires at Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Aug 12, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
Rainy Lake Visitor Center (map)

Join park staff as they celebrate the park’s 35th anniversary with a host of evening campfires this summer. The one-hour programs are held at 7:00 p.m. outside the Rainy Lake Visitor Center on Thursdays from July 8 through August 12, 2010. Free.

Day Hike at St. Croix State Park
Aug 13, 2010 at 7:00 pm (add this)
St. Croix State Park (map)

Type: Day Hike Approximate Mileage: 4.9 Mile Loop Class: Beginner/ Intermediate Pace: Moderate Leader: Joyce Icardo, (307) 690-7161 or ladyhiker123@juno.com Description For details please call the leader as listed for each individual outing, you will be instructed as to what you need to bring, meeting location and time. As much as possible, The Sierra Club encourages car pooling. We generally limit our group size to 12 people. Miles are recorded as "Round Trip." If a snow shoe/ski is scheduled, it will automatically become a hike if there is no snow. If a hike is scheduled, it will automatically become a snow shoe/ski if there is snow. Hikes are geared for beginner/intermediate hikers, which are usually 3-9 miles with minimal elevation gain. We are excited about our new schedule and looking forward to seeing you on our outings!

Turtleman Triathlon (two 3-hour shifts)
Aug 14, 2010 at 7:45 am (add this)
27th Annual Turtleman Triathlon. Turtle Lake, Shoreview, MN. (map)

The Turtleman Triathlon had generously donated a portion of their proceeds to Tree Trust for the past six years in support of our youth employment training programs. To show our appreciation, we help staff the athletes' food tent on the day of the race. This is a fun way to support local triathletes, a great Minnesota event, and Tree Trust! Volunteer with us at this year's 27th annual race! The race will take place on Saturday, August 14, at Turtle Lake in Shoreview, MN. We need at least five volunteers for each of these two shifts: Saturday, August 14 7:45 AM - 10:45 AM 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM When you RSVP to Tracie at tracieh@treetrust.org, please indicate if you would like the first, second or both shifts.

Help plant a prairie raingarden!
Aug 14, 2010 at 9:00 am (add this)
Audubon-certified Hastings Country Club Golf Course/Vermillion River, Hastings (map)

Help plant a prairie raingarden on the Vermillion River! The Hastings Country Club Golf Course is installing a large prairie raingarden to provide water quality treatment for 46 acres of residential and golf course runoff that discharges directly to the Vermillion River. Volunteers are needed to help install over 3,000 native prairie plants. This project will significantly reduce pollutant discharges to the river and will add another bird sanctuary area to this Audubon Society certified golf course. Ready to register? To ensure a high-quality experience, capacity is limited and pre-registration required. To sign up, contact FMR Program Assistant Meghan Dudle at mdudle[at]fmr.org or by selecting "Meghan Dudle" in the dropdown menu under "Category" in our contact form. She can also be reached at 651-222-2193 x23. Please include: the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. You will receive a confirmation email and additional details, such asdirections and what to wear, from mdudle[at]fmr.org within, at most, aweek. If you have earthlink or an active SPAM filter, please add Meghan's email address to your contacts to ensure receipt. More information go to: http://www.fmr.org/participate/events/prairie-raingarden_2010-08-14

Brush Removal at Weaver Dunes with the Nature Conservancy
Aug 14, 2010 at 10:00 am (add this)
Weaver Dunes, Wabasha County, near Kellogg (map)

Join the Nature Conservancy for a day to help the Weaver Dunes. For more information about volunteering, call the Conservancy at 612-331-0762 or email mnvolunteer@tnc.org to sign up for the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.

Ranier Days
Aug 14, 2010 at 1:00 pm (add this)
(map)

Join park staff for special North Canoes rides during the Ranier Days festival on August 14,2010. Rides start at 1:00 p.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. Free.

LSP SE MN Summer Celebration
Aug 15, 2010 at 12:00 pm (add this)
Crigler Family Farm near Winona, MN (map)

LSP's southeast Minnesota office will hold its hog roast/potluck/celebration/benefit at Crigler Family Farm in the Gilmore Valley near Winona on Aug. 15, from noon to 4 p.m. Bryan Crigler is a Farm Beginnings graduate and is pursuing various enterprises in a beautiful location. A farm tour, great discussions and, of course, good food, are on tap. For more information, call our Lewiston office at 507-523-3366 or send an e-mail.

Sunday Trip Pack-in
Aug 15, 2010 at 5:00 pm (add this)
Wilderness Inquiry 808 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (map)

Enjoy a fun evening with our trail staff and other volunteers. Pack-In volunteers will help at the Wilderness Inquiry warehouse with returning trips. Volunteers are needed to help unload boats and trailers, wash boats, tarps, and tents, and help with a variety of other projects. WI will provide volunteers with music, snacks, fun, and a sense of accomplishment!

Starwatch Cruises on Rainy Lake
Aug 15, 2010 at 10:00 pm (add this)
Rainy Lake (map)

To commemorate the park’s 35th anniversary, Voyageurs is hosting a series of Starwatch Cruises aboard the Voyageur tour boat on Rainy Lake. There are 4 cruises offered on July 11, July 25, August 2 and August 15, 2010 from 10:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Call (888) 381-2873 for a reservation. Fees apply.

Business and Environment Series: Integrating Renewable Energy: A Roadmap to Scaled Application
Aug 18, 2010 at 8:30 am (add this)
Quality Bicycle Products 6400 W. 105th Street Bloomington, MN 55438 (map)

About the Program: In 2008, renewable energy sources represented more than 50 percent of total added power capacity in both the United States and Europe (Renewables Global Status Report: 2009 Update). However, as businesses look to advance their sustainability practices beyond energy conservation, multiple obstacles may prevent them from successfully integrating renewable energy sources into their energy portfolio. MEI’s second session of the 2010 Business and Environment Series will provide attendees with an overview of renewable energy options and a roadmap and decision-making tools to enable scaled application of various renewable energy technologies. A panel of business leaders will also share case studies describing their own experiences implementing renewables. In addition, each attendee will have the opportunity to develop strategies for possible application in their company. Registration: $45 for MEI members; $75 for non-members. To register go to: http://tracking.etapestry.com/t/12879406/436676761/54112767/0/

Conditioning Hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Aug 18, 2010 at 6:00 pm (add this)
Lake Elmo Park Reserve (map)

Type: Conditioning Hike Approximate Mileage: 5 Miles Class: Beginner/Intermediate Pace: Med Leader: Joyce Icardo, (307) 690-7161 or ladyhiker123@juno.com Description Meet @6pm at parking at the park office or call Joyce for details. For details please call the leader as listed for each individual outing, you will be instructed as to what you need to bring, meeting location and time. As much as possible, The Sierra Club encourages car pooling. We generally limit our group size to 12 people. Miles are recorded as "Round Trip." If a snow shoe/ski is scheduled, it will automatically become a hike if there is no snow. If a hike is scheduled, it will automatically become a snow shoe/ski if there is snow. Hikes are geared for beginner/intermediate hikers, which are usually 3-9 miles with minimal elevation gain. We are excited about our new schedule and looking forward to seeing you on our outings!