Sax-Zim Bog
Sax-Zim Bog is a 300-square-mile habitat for bog birds such as the Great Gray Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Connecticut Warbler. The bog is about an hour northwest of Duluth, accessible by various dirt and paved roads.
Aug 2022
Bog BioBlitz X
The Friends of Sax-Zim Bog's 10th annual Bog BioBlitz is an opportunity to learn side-by-side with natural-science experts as they lead groups into unique habitats of the greater Sax-Zim Bog. Nature enthusiasts of all ages are invited to join experts in their fields for daylong field trips. Field-trip options include an emphasis on insects, spiders, butterflies, birds, plants, galls, moths, aquatic species and fungi.
Find out more »Native Plant Foray
The Arrowhead Native Plant Explorers will be collecting plants from the Blue Dasher Bog in the Sax-Zim Bog to add to the UMD Olga Lakela Herbarium. No prior plant identification or plant pressing skills are necessary to participate in the inaugural Native Plant Foray. Blue Darner Bog property access is via East Stone Lake Road in Forbes. There is room for a little parking at the intersection of the road and the powerline, with more at the boat landing 0.6…
Find out more »Jun 2023
Planting for the Birds
Presented by Laura Erickson, who will be talking about her new book "100 Plants to Feed the Birds," which recently won the American Horticultural Society’s 2023 Book Award. The main focus will be the importance of native plants for birds, including warblers, sparrows, Evening Grosbeaks, crossbills and hummingbirds.
Find out more »Wild Orchids 101- An Introduction to Sax-Zim Bog Orchids
There are over 20 species of orchids in the Sax-Zim Bog, and they come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, shapes, and seasonal blooms. Here is an opportunity to learn about these delightful plants so that when encountered in the field, a better understanding and appreciation of these fascinating treasures in our natural world might be had. A Minnesota Master Naturalist since 2006, Rubin Stenseng enjoys the challenge and the reward of searching for and finding wild orchids. He…
Find out more »Bogdiversity A to Z
Presented by Phil Hartley, this meeting at the Lois King Education Center in Meadowlands, MN, is a light, fun, and highly interactive look at the diversity of Sax-Zim Bog. Some letters between A to Z are easier than others, but there are species in the area that represent every letter in the alphabet. The talk, will take a quick look at 26 bog residents, both flora and fauna, through photos and fun facts. Phil is a Minnesota Master Naturalist and…
Find out more »Jul 2023
Trains, Farmers, and the Sax-Zim Bog
Randy C Bunney began cultural landscape research in Wyoming as an American Studies graduate student exploring the Oregon Trail. He initiated a study of Minneapolis’ Hiawatha Avenue corridor and launched a Northern Spark project on river stories. Bunney’s research shifted 2.5 years ago to Sax Zim Bog’s agriculture and road history. Bunney will tell the improbable story of the Duluth, Missabe, and Northern Railway enticing immigrants from Chicago to colonize Meadowlands, MN, during the early 20th century. This forgotten history…
Find out more »Watershed Health in the St. Louis River Watershed
The Sax-Zim Bog is a part of the St. Louis River Watershed which spans 2,926 square miles or over 1.8 million acres from the Headwaters at Seven Beaver Lake to the St. Louis River Estuary. This is an opportunity to learn about the health of the watershed, including in the Sax-Zim Bog area, and what makes good water quality. This is also a chance to learn about the plans that local partners have developed to restore, improve, and protect the…
Find out more »Aug 2023
Spiders of the Northwoods with Larry Weber
The Sax-Zim Bog has an incredibly diverse spider community, with August being one of the best times to experience spiders. Larry Weber is author of two spider based field guides and references. The afternoon will feature a talk, followed by a short walk to showcase what spider diversity is right outside the front door. Larry Weber is a well known naturalist, phenologist, and retired teacher from northern Minnesota. He writes a weekly column on phenology and the goings-on in the…
Find out more »Plant Collection Foray
Arrowhead Native Plant Explorers present the second annual Plant Collection Foray. The group will be collecting plants from several habitats at the Sax-Zim Bog to add to the University of Minnesota Duluth's Olga Lakela Herbarium. No prior plant identification or plant pressing skills are necessary. First-time participation in an ANPE event is free.
Find out more »Dec 2023
Invasion of the Vole Snatchers: Sax-Zim Bog’s Winter Wildlife
Sax-Zim Bog in northern Minnesota is a hot spot for rarely seen boreal mammals and owls. Many of them depend on the tiny vole for survival. Mark "Sparky" Stensaas' video clips and short films will show these critters in action during this presentation in the Lois King Education Center at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. Stensaas is the founder and executive director of the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog and is the author of six books on the natural history of…
Find out more »Jan 2024
What We’ve Learned from Five Years of Golden-winged Warbler Research
Stephen Nelson, research technician at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Natural Resources Research Institute, presents "What We’ve Learned from Five Years of Golden-winged Warbler Research in Northern Minnesota" from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Lois King Education Center at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. Although Golden-winged Warbler populations are declining throughout much of their range, the Minnesota population is relatively stable and supports more than 50 percent of its entire breeding population. Studies were conducted on Golden-winged Warblers near…
Find out more »Fisher and Marten Conservation in Minnesota
Michael Joyce, wildlife ecologist at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Natural Resources Research Institute, presents "Fisher and Marten Conservation in Minnesota" from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Lois King Education Center at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. Fishers are a cryptic forest carnivore in the weasel family native to Minnesota. Fisher populations in Minnesota have declined by 50 percent over the past 20 years. During the same time, fishers have expanded their range into southern Minnesota, including the greater…
Find out more »Feb 2024
Northern Lights for Newbies
Elizabeth Miller, local wildlife and night sky photographer, presents "Northern Lights for Newbies from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Lois King Education Center at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. “Northern Lights for Newbies” is a very basic introduction to what the northern lights are, how they occur, and how to maximize the chances of catching them. The Sax-Zim Bog is a great place to watch auroras as it has fairly dark night skies, being situated between Duluth and the…
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