2021

Did you know that there exist approximately 75,000 edible plant species in the world? But only 30 species produce 95% of the food we eat! This means that the vast majority of edible plants are drastically underutilized. And a surprising number of these species live right in your own backyard—even in urban environments! Join Maria Wesserle of Four Season Foraging to learn some foraging basics and discover common wild edible plants.

This is National Night Out, so many Rovers may be attending neighborhood get-togethers. We will not have a regular presentation.

If you are not involved in an NNO event, consider organizing a hike or bike ride or a get-together (perhaps a game night) in the park and posting it to the website as a trip for Rovers without neighborhood events.

Have you ever tried to hang a tarp and had it fill up with rain and dump water on you, or have it blown by winds that seemed to catch it wrong? This is your chance to see a variety of ways to set up or hang a tarp, depending on your situation. Need it to keep off rain? Serve as a wind break?  Need to fit a a group of people under it for a quick heavy rainstorm? Which way should you point it? Where should you tie the lines? Do you need a pole or can you use a hiking stick or a paddle? This will be a hands-on demonstration with opportunities for small groups to hang tarps at Como Park.

Dana D has been camping his entire life. He loves playing with all sorts of outdoor gear and finding the most effective ways to use it. He is a Master Naturalist and BCU 3 Star sea kayaker.

Do you want to get into kayaking or canoeing but wonder how you will transport your boat? Short kayaks may fit into a larger vehicle, but what if you want to use a longer kayak or a canoe?

Various Rovers will bring their roof rack systems for transporting kayaks and canoes. Use of a kayak cart will be demonstrated to get a kayak from a car to the water. We will also demonstrate portaging a canoe. People who attend can have hands-on opportunities to try these out.

The best way to stay out of trouble in the wilderness is to “stay found.” Meaning, don’t get lost! Come learn basic map reading and compass skills, plus tips from a wilderness veteran on simple but effective methods for staying in touch with where you are on the map. You might even gain the confidence to do some off-trail exploring with confidence. These skills are also valuable in navigating the lakes and portages of the BWCAW. This presentation will take place at Como Park.

Please bring your own compass and sample maps you’d like to learn more about.

Bio: Don has been exploring the wilderness on and off-trail for 4 decades, including the mountains and deserts, plus dozens of trips to the BWCAW. Don has experience with orienteering events, and teaching map and compass reading to small groups of adventurers.

CHANGED TO ZOOM MEETING DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST!!!

We will NOT be meeting in the park, meeting will be virtual.

Log in to the Zoom link we have been using for meetings.

On July 6, we return to in person meetings at Como Park. It will be nice to see other Rovers in person again. Tonight we invite Rovers to bring their favorite camping tips and hacks to share.

Following the meeting, we will adjourn to a nearby watering hole for food and beverage.

The Salmon River is known as the River of No Return. The area is a dry mountainous desert, remote from civilization, but it also has a rugged beauty and played a role in American history. We camped on sand spits that resulted from nineteenth century mining in the region. We saw cougar tracks in the sand and rock houses built by Chinese miners. We spent our days riding the rapids and our nights camping under incredibly starry skies. Come hear about a 5 day rafting trip through this region with amazing pictures and stories.

Fran Lesicko has been a Rover since 2007. She has served on the Board 7 of those years as Equipment Director, Director at Large, and currently as Presentations Director. She is an avid camper, hiker, biker, and paddler. Fran has kayaked in 17 U.S. states, as well as Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.

More Minnesotans are seeking the outdoors than ever before. In fact, from 2004 to 2017, the number of Minnesotans reporting that outdoor activity is “very important” to them jumped from 57% to 70%, and nearly two-thirds of Minnesotans report recreating outdoors at least twice a week. However, ticks and mosquitoes can be found throughout Minnesota’s landscapes and can spread disease to those who live, work, and play here. Whether you’re experienced in or new to outdoor recreation, join Molly to learn about the ticks and mosquitoes of Minnesota, the diseases they can spread, and most importantly, how you can protect yourself while enjoying the great outdoors

Molly Peterson is an epidemiologist with the Vectorborne Diseases Program at the Minnesota Department of Health. Having a background in zoology, she is fascinated by creatures of all kinds- including pesty ticks and mosquitoes. As an epidemiologist, she educates Minnesotans about how they can prevent diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes while empowering them to get outside. Studying ticks and mosquitoes takes her to parks and natural areas all over the state and after work she can be found enjoying those same spaces to hike, bike, snowshoe, and paddle.

Octogenarian, cross-country cyclist, and motivational speaker Lin Bruce  shares her late-blooming, against-the-odds, cross-country cyclist success story. At 60 years old she went from cycling across town to cycling across the continent. In the decades since, she’s biked 30,000 trip miles. Her unique presentation combines storytelling at its best with the occasional song to entertain and inspire her audiences.

About the speaker:
Personal Empowerment Speaker Lin Bruce is a late blooming cross-country bicyclist, whose first transcontinental ride was in honor of her 60th birthday in 1999. Using stories of her bicycle adventures as a metaphor for “reaching bigger” in one’s life, Lin encourages people of any age to reach beyond perceived limitations, “stretching for ways to bring more life to your days.” When Lin went from biking across town to biking across the country, she shifted the scope of her dreams, discovering “the next big adventure” expands one’s sense of possibility. Entertaining her audience with heartfelt stories and the occasional song, Lin encourages her audiences to keep “engaging while aging.”

Andrea Knepper is a licensed clinical social worker and is founder and Director for Chicago Adventure Therapy, a nonprofit which provides outdoor adventure experiences to at risk Chicago inner-city youth. In October of 2015 she earned her 5 Star Sea Leader Award, becoming one of 7 women in the country to hold the award. In August of 2016 she became the second American to earn the UKCC Level 3 Coach Award. She also holds a 3 Star in Open Canoe and in Whitewater Kayak, and her ACA L3 Instructor Certification. In 2019 she paddled the length of the US Pacific West Coast.

Travel to the heart of Italy, to a very unique environment – the primeval forests of Casentinesi Forest National Park. Learn why a part of the park has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Explore its unexpected connections with America. Discover the park’s deep spiritual roots and impressive attempts to create harmonious coexistence between nature and humans. Meet the flora, the fauna and the people who have made it such an extraordinary place. Hear many stories, dream a bit and maybe make plans to visit one day.

About the speaker:
Anna Bonavita is a former scientist with a passion for culture, cuisine and nature. Born in a small village in Bulgaria, but swept away by the waves of globalization, she claims several countries as the source of her cultural identity. Bonavita is also the founder and former president of the Italian Cultural Center, as well as the Italian Film Festival of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Her latest creation is Esperienza, an organization which focuses on revitalizing Italian villages. With Minnesota Rovers Anna has spent many sunny days skiing at Tettegouche State Park.

Brian O’Neill from the Alliance for the Great Lakes will present on the importance of protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem (how much fresh water/drinking water it supplies, etc.), the work the Alliance does, issues facing the Great Lakes, and how audience members can join  in protecting the Great Lakes (through actions like taking part in our Adopt-a-Beach beach cleanup program and other efforts).

Brian O’Neill is an Alliance Ambassador for the Alliance for Great Lakes, a volunteer program for people passionate about preserving and protecting our heritage. Based out of Chicago, he writes on a number of topics, including the Great Lakes and the politics of its resource management. When not doing that, he stares at Lake Michigan and is somehow continually surprised at just how big it is.

The Alliance for the Great Lakes is a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the region to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes.

This show is all about Rovers: Who we are, what activities we do, all the ways in which we play outside. There will be a fun video, showcasing many of the activities that Rovers enjoy. Afterward, participants will have an opportunity to go into breakout rooms with Rovers who participate in specific activities, everything from backpacking to paddling to hiking to climbing to biking, and any other outdoor activity you can imagine. This is your chance to ask questions, get to know Rovers who love the same activities you love or maybe who mentor new members in activities that you want to try.

Every cloud has a story, though some stories are more interesting than others. This graphical presentation will teach you about the art and science of cloud interpretation. Learn to read the sky, to know what it means, and to judge what changes may be coming. To outdoor recreationists and enthusiasts, understanding clouds more fully can only deepen your experiences and make time spent outside more rewarding (and less mysterious).

Dr. Kenneth (“Kenny”) Blumenfeld is a climate scientist who grew up in Minneapolis with a love for storms, blizzards, and being outside. He works for the Minnesota State Climatology Office (Department of Natural Resources), where he provides the state’s agencies, communities, and citizens with up-to-date scientific information about Minnesota’s changing and variable climate. Kenny enjoys talking to Minnesotans about their weather, and often does it long after the work day is done

Natalie Warren recounts her journey as one of the first two women to canoe the 2,000 mile route from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay, a route made famous by Eric Sevareid in Canoeing With the Cree. In this presentation, Natalie intertwines environmental and social speculations, challenges on the trail, and heart-warming stories to tell the tale of this historic expedition and the enduring wonder of the wilderness.

She published a book about the adventure: The Remarkable Eighty-Five-Day Journey of the First Two Women to Canoe the 2,000-Mile Route from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay.

A lifelong paddler and river lover, Natalie was one of the first two women to paddle from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. She has since canoed the length of the Mississippi River and won first place in the Yukon River Quest in the women’s voyageur division, paddling 450 miles in fifty-three hours. A contributing writer to outdoor publications, she has worked with Bancroft Arnesen Explore, St. Croix River Association, and River Management Society, and she started a nonprofit to present urban rivers as natural, dynamic classrooms for youth. She is currently a PhD student in the Communication Studies department at the University of Minnesota studying Environmental Communication. Natalie lives in Minneapolis with her husband, daughter, and dog.

Come see all the work that has been accomplished so far!  All the initial buckthorn on the lot has been removed! Lots of invasive work has been done and is beginning to be under control.  Many natives have naturally come up on their own now.  See the future goals and challenges and see where we are going in 2021!

Presented by Cheryl Batson

Many visitors and residents associate a great Northwoods experience with the haunting call of the common loon. The loon is a sentinel species — a living symbol of clean water, good fisheries, and an indicator of healthy aquatic ecosystems. Since 1978, LoonWatch has been protecting common loons and their aquatic habitats through education, monitoring, and research. Learn about the common loon — their calls, ecology, behavior, habitat, threats, what you can do to protect loons, the impacts of climate change and other fascinating loon facts.

Erica LeMoine joined Northland College as the LoonWatch and Citizen Science Coordinator in 2011, and is located at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in Ashland, WI.  Erica works with over 500 citizen science volunteers to coordinate the Annual Lakes Monitoring Program and the Wisconsin Loon Population Survey.

Have you ever wanted to try fly fishing? People think about the art and magic of fly fishing as depicted in the movie, “A River Runs Through It” but, for me, fly fishing takes me to beautiful places and is a sport that challenges me. It is an enjoyable activity that doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. I hope to show you what excites me about fly fishing.

Join this MN Rovers meeting to learn the basics of fly fishing: the gear, techniques, and skills needed to enjoy this sport. Join me and I’ll share some of my experiences about this relaxing sport.

I’ll answer questions and hopefully get you excited about fly fishing, which has been my passion for 50 years.

Presented by Brad F.

Camping meals are often a balance between ease of preparation, weight and size of the food, and having a hearty appetizing meal after an active day outside. Learn how to dehydrate your own tasty meals that will you save you money as well as space and weight in your pack. Experienced backpackers will share all you need to know to make a variety of meals you will truly enjoy in the backcountry.

Following the presentation will be an opportunity for others to share their food dehydration ideas and experiences.

Kathy K. has backpacked Grand Canyon, Gila Wilderness, Zion, Canadian Rockies,  Sawtooth Mountains, the SHT and more.  She is very excited about  possibly doing the Pemi Loop in New Hampshire this fall.  Her longest hike was 13 days in Yellowstone carrying a lot of dehydrated meals.

Michael has been dehydrating for over 10 years for home and camping use. Over this time he’s completed dozens of wilderness trips including completing the Ontario Parks “Northwest Quest” in 2019.  His quest included a 9 day fly in/train out trip to Wabikimi, a 6 day trip to the Quetico with his then 13 year old daughter and a grand finale 13 day solo trip into Woodland Caribou.  All of these were outfitted with home prepared, mostly dehydrated meals.