Winter Nature Activities
From Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:
Many functions of human life and society tend to operate during daylight hours, so during winter in Minnesota when daylight hours are few, the abundant darkness does not go unnoticed. However, the darkness of the night sky is diminishing. According to a 2023 study reported in Science the sky grew nearly 10 percent brighter each year between 2011 and 2022.
Many species both here in Minnesota and globally are nocturnal with activity occurring mostly at night rather than during the day. Cycles of darkness regulate natural behaviors in plants and animals. The lessening of darkness due to artificial lights can disrupt essential functions that are necessary for health and wellbeing.
This image illustrates the Bortle scale, which measures the impact of light pollution on the dark skies at a given location. It shows, from left to right, the decrease in the number of stars and night-sky objects visible in excellent dark sky conditions compared with cities. The illustration is a modification of an original photograph taken at European Southern Observatory's Paranal Observatory in Chile.
Join global community science efforts by getting out to observe the night sky and participating in Globe at Night. Your observations contribute to light pollution data that will help to monitor sky brightness and its effects.
Program Highlights for Adults
Winterscapes: Beyond the Leaves at Wirth Trailhead
Come appreciate the beauty and mysterious architecture of winter trees. Join a Garden Naturalist for a guided nature walk where we'll dive into the natural history of trees and their unique adaptations for winter survival. Select TUESDAYS.
10:00-11:15am and 1:00-2:15pm on Jan 13, Feb 10, and Mar 10.
Birding with a Naturalist: Winter Woodpeckers
WEDNESDAY January 21 from 11:00am-12:30pm at Robert's Bird Sanctuary
Join a naturalist for a walk to learn about and seek out Minnesota's woodpeckers that remain in our woodlands and neighborhoods during the winter season.
Nature in Focus at Kroening Nature Center
One SATURDAY each month from 1:00-2:30pm
Jan 31: The Dynamic Mississippi - explore a model river to see how rivers shape the landscape around them.
Feb 28: Tracking Urban Wildlife - Learn about the urban adaptations of local wildlife. Familiarize yourself with common animal tracks and practice tracking in the park.
Seed Paper Valentines at Longfellow House
TUESDAYS February 3 & 10 (2 sessions) from 1:00-2:30pm
Make a plantable and handcrafted valentine! The first session is dedicated to making the seed paper and in the second we'll decorate them with pressed nature items.
Program Highlights for Families
Family Nature Club
Practice observation and inquisitiveness as we familiarize ourselves with what's happening with the nature in our park space during the winter season. Ages 4 - 11 years with an adult. TUESDAYS 4:30-5:30PM at Powderhorn Park
Winter Nature Play Groups
Learn and grow together with your little one while exploring and having fun outside with other children and their grownups. Ages 1.5 - 5 years with an adult. Starting Feb 3.
TUESDAYS 10:30-11:30AM at Audubon Park
WEDNESDAYS 10:30-11:30AM at Theodore Wirth Park
THURSDAYS 11:00AM-NOON at Powderhorn Park
FRIDAYS 10:30-11:30AM at Lyndale Park Gardens
FRIDAYS 10:30-11:30AM at Brackett Park
Winter Nature Storytime
THURSDAYS 10:00-10:30AM at The Trailhead
Read stories, sing songs, and learn about nature in winter.
Stick around after to make a fun themed craft as a memory to take with you! Nature walk from 11:30am - 12:00pm following the program and craft.
Cuentos Infantiles en The Trailhead - Spanish Storytime
Select FRIDAYS from 11:00am - 11:30am January 9, February 6 and March 6.
Nature Art at Kroening
Willow Harvesting & Willow Weaving Art Making
a community engaged art installation project led by Stephanie Lindquist,
North Mississippi Regional Park's artist in residence
Jan 10: Harvest Day from 10am-noon, 1:00-3:00pm (drop-in) - help harvest Sandbar Willow that grows along wetlands found in the park. We'll have pruners and loppers to cut the slender willow stalks and cocoa and cookies to warm-up inside.
Jan 17 and Jan 31: Weaving Days - learn how to weave the willow into stars and fish that will be installed in the prairie as a sea of stars and a river of fish.
Buckthorn Creations
SATURDAY January 17 from 1:00-3:00pm
Learn about why we are cutting down buckthorn in the park and then use non-electric hand tools such as pruners, files, peelers, and drills to turn some into a wooden toy, sculpture, walking stick, or whatever comes to mind!
Naturalist Programs at the Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park
Black To Nature- Whoo Comes Out At Night
FRIDAY February 27 from 6-8pm at Kroening Nature Center
All over the world there are stories about what happens in the darkness of night.
Join us for storytelling, art making, and meeting live owls from The Raptor Center.