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A smiling person wearing a wide-brimmed hat and glasses stands in a grassy field under a clear blue sky. They are holding out their hand with a butterfly perched on their finger. They have binoculars hanging around their neck.
A person smiling while weaving a chair seat in a classroom. They hold a wooden frame with woven material. Papers with instructions and a ruler are on the table. Other people are also working in the background. A large nature mural is on the wall.
A person wearing a blue jacket and a camouflage hat kneels on the forest floor, taking close-up photos with a Canon camera. The ground is covered with fallen autumn leaves, and the trees in the background display colorful foliage.
Fruit at the Finish Triathlon – Saturday, April 26

0.75K Swim – 18K Bike – 5K Run
Participate as an Individual OR as a Team of Three

More Information
Triathlon Registration
Bob Russell Spring Birding Day – Saturday, May 10 (AM)

Register to join us starting at either 5:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. for birding in Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum. Binoculars are available if needed. Dress for the weather – we go rain or shine!

More Information
Birding Day Registration
Spring Wildflowers – Saturday, May 10 (PM)

1:00-3:00 pm
Hike in the Abbey Arboretum in search of spring and early summer wildflowers. Discuss and observe the variety of flowers blooming in the spring. 

Wildflowers REgistration
Nocturnal Neighbors – Friday, June 6

7:30-9:00 pm
Learn about a variety of birds, mammals, and other nocturnal species in the Abbey Arboretum.

Nocturnal Neighbors Registration
Sci-fi Ecology Youth Camps – June

Mon-Thurs, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Week one: June 9-12
Week two: June 23-26
We have discovered Planet Arboretum! Collect, study, identify, and name the creatures of this “new” planet in this sci-fi-meets-nature camp. Ages 7-11

More Information
Camp Registration
Natural Career Exploration – Tuesday, July 1

9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Ages 15-17
Want to explore the natural world and learn about work being done to conserve it? Come join us for a day of exploration and stewardship in the Abbey Arboretum. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with several natural science and conservation professionals and learning about what they do. Talk to the MN DNR, Pheasants Forever, and more!

More Information
Registration
Middle School Nature Adventure Camp – Tues-Thurs, Jul 8-10

8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Roam the Abbey Arboretum with us this summer, performing classic camp activities including canoeing and dart-throwing, as well as exploring plants and animals. Ages 12-14

More Information
Camp Registration
Wild Water Wonders Youth Camps – July

Mon-Thurs, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Week one: July 8-10
Week two: July 28-31
Dive into the wet, watery world of the Abbey Arboretum! Learn about creatures who depend on water and explore damp and wet places they call home. Ages 7-11

More Information
Camp Registration
Butterflies of the Abbey Arboretum – Thursday, July 24

4:30-6:00 pm
Learn about butterflies in the Abbey Arboretum, including details about caterpillars and host plants.

Butterflies Registration
MN Master Naturalist Volunteer Course: Prairies and Potholes – Aug 4-8

8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Join our instructors for a week-long 40-hour class exploring the Prairies and Potholes biome in the winter. To register, view the course list at the link below and choose the Saint John’s location. Contact Julie Larson with registration questions.

$295. Scholarships are available from the MN Master Naturalist Program.

Registration
Lodging Options
Seeds Series – September-May

6:00 – 8:00 pm
Native pollinator plants play a very important part in our ecosystem. Join us for three sessions to learn how to create your very own pollinator garden, no matter how big or small. Go home with a sampler of plants that your started yourself.
Session 1: Planning a Garden and Seed Collection; Tues., Sept. 9
Session 2: Starting your Seeds and Dibbling; Tues., March 24
Session 3: Prepping your Site and Planting your Garden; Tues., June 2

Registration Opens Soon
Beginner Nature Journaling – Saturday, Sept 27

10:00-11:30 am
Learn tips and tricks on nature journaling in a beautiful natural setting.

Registration opens soon
Wreath Making Workshops – Mon-Wed, Dec 1-3

Create your own handmade wreath using natural materials collected in the Abbey Arboretum. No experience necessary.

Registration Opens soon
Snowshoe Making Workshop – Saturday, Dec 6

9:00 am – 3:00 pm
You will come away from this workshop with your own pair of laced Ojibwe-style snowshoes. We will demonstrate bending snowshoe frames and teach lacing techniques. Varnishing and bindings will be on your own.

Registration opens soon
Explore On Your Own
Volunteer Opportunities
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Four people stand on a wooden observation deck, reading informational signs. They are under a roofed structure surrounded by trees and nature. The sunlight casts a warm glow on the scene.
A church with glowing windows is nestled among trees on a snowy hill at night. The sky is clear with faint stars. A path lined with illuminated lanterns leads up to the church, casting a warm glow on the surrounding snow.
A group of people stand on a forest path surrounded by tall, lush green trees. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene atmosphere. Some fallen branches and greenery are visible in the foreground.