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Mar 2024
Camp Aqua Affair
Break out the friendship bracelets and hike up those tube socks! Great Lakes Aquarium’s 6th annual fundraising event is going to camp! Great Lakes Aquarium is setting up for an adults-only, after-hours evening adventuring back to a simpler time while exploring a festively decorated exhibit floor, SCUBA show, animal encounters and touchpool experiences. Ticket gets you unlimited food and beverage sampling from local vendors, camp-themed activities and décor, fresh vinyl jams from TNT HiFi Soundsystem, access to our raffle and…
Find out more »Earth Hour
Since its beginnings in 2007, Earth Hour has been known as the “lights off” moment. This hour of unity brings the world together, shines a spotlight on nature loss and the climate crisis and hopefully inspires millions more to act and advocate for urgent change. The UMD Institute on the Environment invites you to join the Earth Hour. Check out the Earth Hour website to learn more about what you and your organization can do.
Find out more »Lichen Workshop and Identification Hike
During the winter months when it seems like the world is dormant, we can still explore the outdoors and learn about some of the vital organisms contributing to the health of our ecosystems - lichen. Learn lichen identification fundamentals, tips on where to find lichens and learn of intriguing lichen properties, including smell, color changes and air quality predictions. The workshop will include formal instruction on lichen identification fundamentals, how to photograph lichens and understand the important role they play…
Find out more »Multi-Pitch Climbing Clinic
The Multi-Pitch Climbing clinic is for learning skills and techniques of climbing more than "one pitch of a climb with a partner." Climbers can practice how to set up an anchor mid-route, pull the rope up, and reset for another full-length climb. Then, they can try their hand at rappelling back to the ground. Prerequisite: Checked off to belay at UMD's climbing walls Climbers must register by noon the day of the event and meet at the University of Minnesota-Duluth…
Find out more »Spring Gardening Spectacular
Start thinking about spring gardening at the Spectacular. Enjoy a day of gardening seminars presented by Extension Agriculture Educator, Troy Salzer, County Horticulturist Bob Olen, Extension Master Gardeners and expert guest speakers. Refreshments, lunch, and resource materials are included. For registration and more information visit www.stlouiscountymn.gov.
Find out more »North Country Trail Group Hike: State Line to MacQuarrie Wetlands
This group hike takes place on new trail built in 2023 from the Minnesota/Wisconsin border to MacQuarrie Wetlands. The group will meet at the State Line Trailhead, 6 CR-4, Wrenshall, Minn., at 10 a.m. and will hike 4.5 miles on part of the historic Loop Line Grade, through Carlton County woodlands, and along the bluff of Clear Creek into Wisconsin to MacQuarrie Trailhead. The hike leader is Peter Nordgren, a founding member of the Brule-St. Croix Chapter of the North…
Find out more »Poplar Plunge
White Pine Lodge and Poplar Haus on the Gunflint Trail are celebrating the end of this crazy winter. The event invites participants to take a refreshing and icy dip into Poplar Lake. After the plunge, participants will be treated to a sauna session at Poplar Haus or White Pine Lodge. The Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department will supervise each hole at each location and accept donations. Participants who plunge at both locations will earn a free drink and a prize.…
Find out more »Apr 2024
Storage Waxing with Coach Cork
Jason Cork, long-time coach of cross-country skier Jessie Diggins, will be at Ski Hut to storage-wax skis and pontificate on the World Cup season that was 2023/24. Coach Cork will field any and all questions on World Cup stories, coaching tips, where to find the best Ramen, which are the greatest punk bands in history, and anything else asked of him. No charge for the wax job.
Find out more »Trad Climbing Clinic Series
Apply the skills you have learned in other UMD RSPO clinics to ground up traditional ascents of some beautiful North Shore climbs with the Trad Climbing Clinic Series. Session one will be dedicated to learning the basics of setting up a traditional lead climb and session two will be spent mock leading at the location of the day.
Find out more »Galls and Burls Nature Walk
Naturalist and author of the upcoming guidebook, Galls, Burls and Brooms of The North Woods, Sam Guida is hosting a nature walk focused on exploring the Lilliputian world of galls, burls and brooms and the plants they grow on. Meet at the end of Park Point near the Sky Harbor Airport.
Find out more »Gym to Crag: Top Rope Anchors Series
UMD's Sport and Rec center is hosting Gym to Crag: Top Rope Anchors. This series features four different sections about anchoring and outdoor rock climbing for newcomers or experiences climbers who are looking to work on their skills. For the series full schedule and register, visit umdrsop.d.umn.edu Cost is $5 for UMD Student and $15 for others for each section, not the series as a whole.
Find out more »Nature Journaling and the Art of Observation
Be guided in developing a practice of nature journaling using words and sketches to record observations, reflections and questions about nature. Each class will start indoors with discussion and practice of basic sketching techniques, then move outdoors for making observations and recording them in a journal. Registration is required at duluthfolkschool.com — this class will meet on Tuesday mornings for three consecutive weeks.
Find out more »Chaga Mushroom: Minnesota’s Medicinal Treasure
Herbalist Allison Austin is teaching an in-depth class about all things Chaga. Learn how to ethically harvest chaga mushroom in order to promote more chaga growth, while helping to protect our birch forests. Each student will make their own tincture in class to take home with them to care for, harvest and use. Registration is required and can be done at duluthfolkschool.com.
Find out more »Plant ID 101 Workshop
Arrowhead Native Plant Explorers presents a workshop to learn simple observation techniques for identifying plants based on features and characteristics. Participants will be equipped with basic skills to conduct field identification independently. The event is led by Dr. Amanda Grusz the Director of the Olga Lakela Herbarium.
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