Spring Classes

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

minnesota department of natural resources

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Upcoming Classes

Spring - Early Summer 2024

Spring BOW Workshop

BOW spring workshop!

April 19-20, 2024, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro, MN, fee $211. Online registration is open at BOW Spring Workshop registration.

Class offerings include creating alternative lawns, fly fishing, archery, high ropes, wild edibles, shotguns and more! Workshops are a great way for women to learn new skills and meet new people who are also interested in the outdoors. 


Canoeing

Three Rivers Park District classes

BOW works cooperatively with Three Rivers Park District to offer programs for women. Register for these classes by calling Three Rivers Parks at 763-559-6700. Note: May class registration opens in April.

Archery for Women, Carver Park Reserve, April 14, 10 a.m.-noon, fee $12. Equipment provided. Practice fundamental skills and participate in fun challenges.

Map & Compass Navigation, French Regional Park, April 14, 1:30-4:30 p.m., fee $18. Learn how to read topographic maps and use a compass to navigate outdoors.

Women's Wellness Day, Cleary Lake Regional Park, April 27, 10 a.m.-noon, free. The day will consist of gentle Yoga, tea, walking meditation and more. Registration required.

Tarps & Knots, French Regional Park, April 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m., fee $12. Learn the fundamentals of setting up tarps for camping and backpacking. 

Women's Archery Club, Elm Creek Park Reserve, May 2, 9, 23, 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m., fee $48 for 4 sessions, equipment provided. Learn the fundamentals archery and practice shooting.

Canoeing, Fish Lake Regional Park, May 18, 10 a.m.-noon, fee $12. Learn canoe safety, equipment, and paddle strokes, then we’ll get out on the water to practice our skills. 

Kayaking Essentials, Fish Lake Regional Park, May 24, 6-9 p.m., fee $50. Learn the basics of kayaking safety, proper paddling form, and paddle strokes. 


Morel

Women Programming

Morel Mushroom Hunting, Whitewater Wildlife Management Area, April 26, OR Frontenac State Park, April 30, 10 a.m.-noon, fee $10. Email Sara.Grover@yahoo.com to register. We'll learn how to identify morels, where to find them in the forest and how to practice ethical foraging.

Forest Bathing Walk Among the Spring Wildflowers, Carley State Park, May 3, OR Forestville State Park, May 13, 10 a.m.-noon, fee $20. Email Sara.Grover@yahoo.com to register. Join certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, Sara Holger, for a forest bathing experience among the bluebells and other spring wildflowers. Forest bathing is a Japanese mindfulness practice of moving slowly in nature while using one's senses to "soak" in the forest environment. Many wellbeing benefits are associated with forest bathing.

Midsummer Forest Bathing Walk, Afton State Park, June 20, 10 a.m.-noon, fee $20. Email Sara.Grover@yahoo.com to register. Celebrate the summer solstice and immerse yourself in nature's abundance! 

Women's Off-Grid Lifestyle Immersion Experience, June 10-13, Hovland, fee $348 which includes three nights lodging. To register and to see additional summer dates visit Points-Unknown website. Bring your friends and/or come and meet new friends. You will be immersed in our off-grid wilderness lifestyle with sled dogs. Each month brings a different experience. 


Outreach job opportunities

The Minnesota DNR Fish and Wildlife Division has two openings focused on outreach to Hmong and Karen communities. These positions will develop partnerships to strategically plan, design, and administer initiatives that welcome and connect Asian Americans to the outdoor skills opportunities offered by the DNR and partner organizations. Apply by March 12 at the Minnesota state government careers website.

Job ID 73959 - Hmong Community Outreach Coordinator

Job ID 73954 - Karen Community Outreach Coordinator


Free Family Webinars

These webinars are part of the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series that aims to give participants quick, relevant information on upcoming seasons and events and skills to help enjoy the outdoors.

Webinars are live on Wednesday starting at noon. For more details or to view past webinars and to register for upcoming webinars visit Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series.

  • March 13 - Plan and prepare for wildfire season.
  • March 20 - National Archery in the Schools program.
  • March 27 - Barotrauma: What you need to know when catching fish in deep water.
  • April 3 - No country for old bears.
  • April 10 - Climate and landscape changes and their effect on our cold-water fisheries.
  • April 17 - Southeast brook trout conservations.
  • April 24 - Experiencing the spring warbler migration.
  • May 1 - Catch a record fish.
  • May 8 - Preparing for the fishing opener - live from the dock.
  • May 15 - Creating communities with alternative lawns.
  • May 22 - Jumping worms: New non-native earthworm species in MN.
  • May 29 - Hiking the Superior Hiking Trail.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program (BOW)

The BOW program provides hunting, fishing, and non-consumptive outdoor skills classes to women in a safe and supportive environment. BOW works cooperatively with DNR staff, volunteers, and outside agencies to provide opportunities for women to learn skills. BOW is guided by a volunteer steering committee. To find out more, visit the BOW Website.

Do you want to stay informed about upcoming fisheries, wildlife and habitat management activities and ways that you can discover, explore, and experience Minnesota’s outdoors? Then sign up for Minnesota Fishing and Minnesota Wildlife email notifications available for free on the DNR website. Updates are also available for state parks, scientific and natural areas, the Eagle Cam, and more.

Visit the DNR's Learn to Hunt and Learn to Fish web pages to learn how to hunt or fish a variety of species.