Presentations

Hybrid program.

In person at the Aspen Room at Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W Franklin Ave, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 and also being presented over Zoom

What started thousands of years ago as a mode of transportation has evolved into a great way to get out and enjoy the winter. Relatively inexpensive and easy to learn, snowshoeing offers an invigorating cardio workout for people of all ages and fitness levels. Join us and learn more about it. I’ll also bring the snowshoes that I have for people to look at, and if you have a pair of snowshoes you like, please bring them along to show them off.

Presented by Barry S.

Online via Zoom

Paul & Kelly hiked the Kekekabic Trail in October, 2020, then turned around and hiked it again for an 81-mile YoYo thru-hike.

Paul will present a quick overview of the trail, highlights of their hike, and free advice for your own Kek adventure. Find out what the “New and Improved” Kek looks like and get a mess of tips for success when you head Up North to explore the Kek.

Presented by Paul K.

Online via Zoom

Bob K. has been on two recent trips to Norway as part of the Road Scholars “Astronomy North of the Arctic Circle” program. He will describe aurora basics, northern lights tourism, and share his impressions of the polar aurora.

Presented by: Bob K., who writes the Explore the Night column and Celestial Calendar for Sky & Telescope’s website and magazine, teaches community education astronomy, and pens the Astro Bob blog.

In-person Social at the Aspen Room at Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W Franklin Ave, St. Louis Park, MN 55426

This meeting starts at 6:00 p.m.

First Tuesdays is about making connections! There is no presentation. Instead, we gather for a potluck at 6:00. At 7:00, we gather at tables to learn about specific topics, play games, or catch up with friends! Last month, there was lots of great conversation and connecting!

Schedule:

6:00 PM Potluck. Bring:

– An item to share that is enough for about 6-8 people (don’t forget the serving utensil!). If ingredients are hard to identify, indicate them to help people with dietary restrictions. While all desserts would be nummy, it’s not very healthy….Help us to have a variety of food by indicating what you will likely bring. You can always change your mind. POTLUCK SIGN-UP HERE

– Your own beverage, plate/bowl, and utensils.

7:00 PM Visit topic tables, play games, or chat with friends! Tables will be set up so you can learn more about various topics. There will always be a New Member table and a Game table (bring your favorite board or yard game!). Additional topics will depend on the interests of those attending. Anyone can host a table. Just ask the Presentations person for a sign.

Reconnect with old friends and meet new ones! Feel free to invite guests to join us!

P.S. Members are encouraged to post a hike at Westwood Hills before the potluck. Just post it to our website.

Online via Zoom. Request the link here.

Join Voyageurs Conservancy’s Education & Dark Sky Specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador to learn about the winter stars above and the stories they hold. This beginner-friendly program invites you to step outside, explore key winter constellations and deep sky wonders, and learn how we can protect our view of the cosmos from light pollution. No telescope needed – just a sense of curiosity and a warm coat!

Presented by Jesse G. of Voyageurs Conservancy

Online via Zoom.

In February 2024, Martin and a partner in adventure seized a rare chance to reach the Arrow Lake BWCA campsite in an area of the Powwow Trail that has become almost inaccessible due to flooding from beaver activity and thick overgrowth of jack pine after the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire. A planned eight-mile round trip to the Arrow Lake campsite became a 24-hour overnight winter hiking survival test.

Martin will present slides on this adventure, information on gear prep, the importance of checking gear at home and at the trailhead before starting a hike, and the importance of the right attitude when confronted with unexpected challenges.

Presented by Martin K., a lifelong advocate for hiking trails in the BWCA

Online via Zoom.

Twenty years ago, Dr. Douglas Tallamy wrote, “Chances are, you have never thought of your garden as a wildlife preserve that represents the last chance we have for sustaining plants and animals that were once common throughout the U.S. But that is exactly the role our suburban landscapes are now playing …”

Now, the stakes are even higher. With a native plant landscape, we must support biodiversity, mitigate climate change and make our communities more resilient in the face of challenges to come.

Presented by Marilynn T.

Online via Zoom.

Join Pat as he recounts his 186.3-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail through the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Southwestern Maine. Experience breathtaking views from peaks like Mount Washington, known as the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather,” and navigate the unique challenges of these stunning mountain ranges. Witness diverse landscapes and the thrill of the Appalachian Trail as it winds through this beautiful region. The journey included 20 of the 4000-footers and is considered the hardest section of the Appalachian Trail. Along the way, Pat encountered wildlife, visited numerous hostels and huts, and faced the notorious Mahoosuc Notch, often referred to as the most difficult mile of the Appalachian Trail. This hike is a testament to the resilience and beauty of the northeastern United States.

Presented by Pat E.