Spring forth into summer with nature activities across the city!
Check out programs for everyone, from preschoolers to adults, in May and June
May is for Migratory Birds
Did you know May 11 is World Migratory Bird Day? Canada and U.S. celebrate the feathered friends arriving from Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean (where the fall migration is celebrated on October 12).
Birding with a Naturalist: Spring Migration
Minnehaha Regional Park: Thursdays, May 2 and May 23
Loring Park: Saturdays, May 11 and June 1
North Mississippi Regional Park
May 10 and May 24, 9 - 10:30am
Check out all current and upcoming birding opportunities
Saturday, May 18, 10am to 5 pm
Learn how the park system's Nature Center was built using techniques to minimize its environmental impact, and find out about all the nature and environmental programs and resources you can enjoy. (Note: regular Nature Center hours are Tuesday-Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; closed Sunday - Monday).
In June, celebrate summer's arrival!
Nature Art: Solstice Crowns
Kroening Nature Center in North Mississippi Regional Park
Saturday, June 22, 1:30-2:30 pm
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary
Thursday, June 20, 5 to 8 pm
B.F. Nelson Park
Thursday, June 20, 7 to 8:30 pm
Program Highlights
Those listed below are FREE unless otherwise noted
Preschoolers
 Garden Storytime starts May 2
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Thursdays, 10-10:30 am and Saturdays, 3-3:30 pm
Join a naturalist at the for engaging nature-themed stories and activities. A free, drop-in program for children with their caregivers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Coming in July
Preschool Day Camp: Summer Senses at Wirth Pavilion
Wirth Picnic Pavilion: 3275 Glenwood Ave. in Theodore Wirth Regional Park
Monday, July 1 - Wednesday, July 3, 9 am to 12 noon
Explore the sights, sounds, smells, touches, and even tastes of summer at Wirth Park!
School-age Children
 Garden to Table Camp
J.D. Rivers' Children's Garden in Theodore Wirth Regional Park
$150, June 24-27 and July 22-25, 9 am-3 pm
Campers ages 9 to 12 years spend time outdoors and make food with produce straight from the garden. They explore all corners of the garden and make tasty snacks from its produce, while learning how to garden and why it's important.
Homeschool Day: Flowering Forests
Kroening Nature Center in North Mississippi Regional Park
Thursday, May 9, 1-3 pm
Discover the hidden and unusual flowers of forest trees. Learn to identify some of the common trees in the park, observe the parts of a flower, and go on a walk to find evidence of different parts of a tree’s life cycle.
Families
J.D. Rivers' Children's Garden in Theodore Wirth Regional Park
Saturday, May 18th, 10am-12 pm
Everyone is welcome to help get JD Rivers' Garden growing for the season! Bring the family and plant seeds and seedlings that will yield fresh fruits and veggies all season long.
Nature Tools and Toys
Kroening Nature Center in North Mississippi Regional Park
Saturday, May 18, 1:30-3 pm
Learn to use non-electric hand tools to turn sticks into tradtional wooden toys or craft something from your own imagination
Daily Garden Tour
Tuesdays through Sundays, 11:00am-11:45am
Join a naturalist for a drop-in guided walk on the trails. Learn about the plants and history of oldest public wildflower garden in the United States on a 45-minute tour.
Adults 18 & Up
 Garden with a Naturalist
J.D. Rivers' Garden in Theodore Wirth Regional Park
$2.50, Monthly on Tuesdays, May through September, 11am-12 noon
Spend your lunch break getting fresh air, doing some garden chores, and learning something new about produce gardening.
Sundays May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2-3 pm
Join a naturalist and learn techniques to get the most out of journaling, practice observational skills, and spend time exploring nature. All experience levels are welcome, some materials provided.
Natural Fiber Weaving
Kroening Nature Center in North Mississippi Regional Park
$5, Wednesday, May 8, 1-3 pm
Work with a naturalist to collect grasses and reeds from around the park, learn how to turn them into rope, and weave a piece of art.
Mindful Nature Immersion
Wabun Picnic area, near shelter B, at Minnehaha Regional Park
$40, Saturday, May 11, 9:30-11:30 am
Broaden awareness, sharpen focus, engage the senses and open the heart: Learn basic mindfulness practices and participate in a guided, immersive experience in nature. Forge a connection with nature and a sense of compassion for all beings, including ourselves.
Drawing Inspiration from Nature
Kroening Nature Center in North Mississippi Regional Park
Thursday, May 30, 6:30-8:30 pm
Artists of all levels are invited to bring your art materials to create art in community using models from nature - this month, a variety of bird nests for you to draw or paint.
Click here for all current and upcoming nature programs!
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