2025

In person at Como Park in St. Paul – West Picnic Grounds, near the SE corner of the parking lot (near the restroom building). More details and a map under Weekly Meeting – Tuesday Meeting.

Going camping in bear country? Bears can be an issue in many of our favorite places, from the BWCA to backpacking trips out west. This presentation will be a demonstration of hanging bear bags – one way to keep your tasty food away from critters. As in the past, we will demonstrate a few different methods for different circumstances. And, again, we will encourage folks to try their hand at various elements of the process (tossing rope over a branch, tying the appropriate knots). New this year – WE INVITE FOLKS TO BRING THEIR OWN “HANGING KITS,” and we will help you use it and/or evaluate whether you may need to add pieces.

Presented by long-time Rovers Rob C., Gary C., and Ron T.

In person at Como Park in St. Paul – West Picnic Grounds, near the SE corner of the parking lot (near the restroom building).

No presentation – come to the Gear Swap! Twice a year the Minnesota Rovers host a gear swap at one of the regular Tuesday night meetings. Anyone who has any type of gear that they are no longer using can bring it to the swap and either sell it outright or make a trade with someone else. The gear is in good shape, and usually, the owners have simply chosen to upgrade or no longer have a need for that particular piece of equipment. It is a great way to get your hands on some gear if you just want to try it out without having to make a huge investment in brand new equipment.

Note: If you are a seller, you may want to start setting up before 7:00 p.m. Some buyers come before 7:00 to start shopping early.

P.S. Tell your outdoor friends about this great opportunity to buy gear they need OR sell gear they no longer need!

In person at Como Park in St. Paul — Como Park’s West Picnic Shelter in the West Picnic Grounds (on west side of Midway Parkway at Estabrook Drive, near the zoo). This is across the parking lot from our usual meeting location.

Note that this meeting starts at 6:00 p.m.

First Tuesdays is about making connections! There is no presentation. Instead, there is a potluck at 6:00. At 7:00, you are invited to gather at tables about specific topics, play games, or catch up with friends!

Schedule:

6:00 PM Potluck. Bring:

1. An item to share that is enough for about six people (don’t forget the serving utensil!). If ingredients are hard to identify, indicate them to help people with dietary restrictions. POTLUCK SIGN-UP HERE

2. 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!

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

Have you ever wondered what the heck that trail seems to be that sometimes parallel’s Hwy 61 on the North Shore of Lake Superior? Why, that’s the Gitchi-Gami State Trail!  Michelle Pierson will present 25 hidden gems and trail tips to celebrate 25 years of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail!  

Presented by Michelle P.

Online via Zoom

Are you interested in exploring a national scenic trail right in Minnesota and Wisconsin? Learn more about the North Country National Scenic Trail. The NCT stretches 4,800 miles across eight states from Lake Sakakawea State Park in ND to the Appalachian Trail in VT. Great Lakes shoreline, country roads, forests, prairies, and more. Day-trippers and thru-hikers will both find something to like about the North Country Trail. Come and learn more about this treasure in our own backyard and whether you might want to include the NCT in your summer plans!

Presented by Matt D. (NCTA Coordinator) and Derrick P. (NCTA Board Member)

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

In Jan 2019, Zack completed a 300 mile/500km sea kayak expedition from El Chalten Argentina to the Atlantic Ocean with two other friends. They traversed Lago Viedma, Rio La Leona, Lago Argentino and the soon to be dammed Rio Santa Cruz. The main focus of the trip was to retrace the journey of Charles Darwin and Robert Fitzroy as they spent 22 days traveling up river to find the Andes mountains without success in 1834 during the voyage of the beagle expedition around South America. It was also a journey into ‘Deep Time’ as they explored the fossil riches from 70 million year old mammals. The purpose of this presentation is to raise awareness of the incredibly rich ecosystem along the Santa Cruz River and discuss the dams that will soon destroy the most important free flowing river in Patagonia. If time, Zack may also go over what there is to do in the ‘Patagonia region in both Chile and Argentina for kayaking, hiking and general exploring.

Presented by Zack K.

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

Let’s talk about volunteering in Three Rivers Park District! Learn basics about Three Rivers, what do volunteers do in the parks, and the benefits to volunteering with us.

Presented by Katie B.

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

Introducing Rovers First Tuesdays!

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

The first Tuesday meeting of each month will be a special Rovers meeting devoted to making connections! Instead of a presentation, First Tuesdays will feature a potluck supper, followed by “Table Time”, in which people can gather at tables around specific topics or activities.

Schedule:

6:00 PM Potluck Supper. Bring an item to share and don’t forget a serving utensil! If ingredients are hard to identify, please bring a list for those with restrictions. Please provide your own beverage, plate, and utensils. POTLUCK SIGN-UP HERE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED AT THIS EVENT.

6:50 PM Dinner Clean Up- everyone please help

7:00 PM Welcome and Table Time. Tables will be available for various topics or activities. If you have an idea for a discussion topic, feel free to designate a table for it. Topic tables will depend upon the interests of those present but will always include a New Member table and Game tables (Bring your favorite game!). Other tables will vary and depend upon the interests of those present. Some options include trips, conservation, backpacking, paddling, the Border Route Trail, or anything else you choose.

Join us for First Tuesdays and make connections with your fellow Rovers!

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

We are spoiled in Minnesota by having 64 wonderful state parks. Each park is different – including their location, size, biome and history. See and hear what is special at each state park. By Barry S.

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

Eating good food on outdoor adventures brings comfort and reward. It sure seems that food taste better out there! But grocery items are heavy and bulky. Fresh items can spoil. Commercial dehydrated food is expensive—and can be high in sodium. This presentation will inform you, that with a reasonable investment in equipment and time, dehydrating your own food is a doable option to transform many favorite fresh and home cooked foods into lightweight and packable energy for your outdoor trips.

This presentation will cover:

• Types of foods amenable to dehydration
• Equipment needs
• Adapting recipes
• Best prep practices
• Food safety
• Preparing packages for the trail
• Resources

Presented by Tom Y.

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

The Sawtooth Loop in Idaho’s Sawtooth Wilderness is a 73.6-mile set of connected trails with an elevation gain of 16,069 feet. Starting at Grandjean Trailhead near Boise, ID, this loop is considered challenging, but it is worth the effort! Trails, wildlife, alpine lakes, gorgeous vistas, the clearest air in the continental U.S. Come and enjoy an evening in the Sawtooth Wilderness and maybe even start planning YOUR visit!

Presented by Rob P.

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

Introducing Rovers First Tuesdays!

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

Starting with March, our first Tuesday meeting of each month will be a special Rovers meeting devoted to making connections! Instead of a presentation, First Tuesdays will feature a potluck supper, followed by “Table Time”, in which people can gather at tables around specific topics or activities.

Schedule:

6:00 PM Potluck Supper. Bring an item to share and don’t forget a serving utensil! If ingredients are hard to identify, please bring a list for those with restrictions. Please provide your own beverage, plate, and utensils. POTLUCK SIGN-UP HERE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED AT THIS EVENT.

6:50 PM Dinner Clean Up- everyone please help

7:00 PM Welcome and Table Time. Tables will be available for various topics or activities. If you have an idea for a discussion topic, feel free to designate a table for it. Topic tables will depend upon the interests of those present but will always include a New Member table and Game tables (Bring your favorite game!). Other tables will vary and depend upon the interests of those present. Some options include trips, conservation, backpacking, paddling, the Border Route Trail, or anything else you choose.

Come give First Tuesdays a try and make connections with your fellow Rovers!

Online via Zoom

In 2021, a couple of enterprising Rovers designed and implemented the Beginner Backpacking Program. Its purpose was – and still is – to grow the Rovers’ backpacking community through education and structured trail experiences. To date, over 250 members have given the program a try. Join Deb & Cynthia to learn more about Beginner Backpacking, the volunteers who make the whole thing work, and some of the beginners’ best adventures.

The presentation is for backpacking-curious folks seeking to upgrade their knowledge and skills as well as experienced backpackers who may want to consider volunteering to mentor and lead trail experiences.

Presented by Deb P. and Cynthia H.

Online via Zoom

Plastic is everywhere in our lives, everywhere from food packaging to medical supplies, to outdoor gear and clothing to electronics to daily use items like pens and toothbrushes. It seems impossible to avoid. Yet we are learning about how it pollutes our waters, how it lasts forever in our environment, and now how microplastics are present in wildlife, food sources and even breast milk. The consequences seem overwhelming. This presentation will address the impact of plastic and also the steps we can take to try to minimize its use in our own lives.

Presented by Fran L.

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

NOTE THAT THE LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED TO WESTWOOD HILLS.

Join leadership from Boundary Waters Advisory Committee for a presentation on all things wilderness hiking trails and what it means to maintain them for future generations.

Presented by Boundary Waters Advisory Committee board and committee members, Mel Yackley, Zach Thorson, and Aaron Nosan.

Online via Zoom

Julie and David spent the month of May 2024 cycling the southern half of Ireland. They started in Dublin and biked to Counties Cork and Kerry in the southwest, then north to Counties Clare and Galway before returning to Dublin.

Presented by Julie R. and David B.

Online via Zoom

Seven Rovers canoed 52 miles on the Green River through Stillwater Canyon in the heart of Canyonlands National Park. The Green River cuts through 1500 feet of colorful sandstone as it meanders its way towards the Grand Canyon. Along the way, we did side hikes through magnificent rock formations and camped along the way.

Annie M. & Jen O. will show you what we saw and what things didn’t go as planned.

Presented by Annie M. and Jen O.

Online via Zoom

If you like learning about nature while you’re out exploring, then Griffin B. has an opportunity for you! In this presentation, you’ll hear about the Minnesota Master Naturalist program, its training courses and volunteer service opportunities around the state, and how you can get involved with the program.

Presented by Griffin B. Griffin is an extension educator at the University of Minnesota. Based in Saint Cloud, MN, his job with the Minnesota Master Naturalist program takes him around the state to help people explore and learn about the natural world. 

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

NOTE new location for in-person meetings!

Join Jerry and Stacey as they talk about their road trip from Minneapolis to Portland, Oregon and back. Sand dunes, mountains, snow, rain forests, (old) volcanoes. A Buddhist center. The 58 murals of the “Michelango of Montana.” National parks, national monuments, national forests. Lewis and Clark. American history of the 1800s. Dams (successful and unsuccessful). Elk, bison, pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, Sasquatch. Hear why you might want to think about driving instead of flying to your next destination!

Online via Zoom

Joan will discuss her two experiences with traveling abroad and volunteering for conservation projects.  Her first experience was in a Costa Rican National Park and focused on sea turtles nesting, jaguar camera trapping and forest surveys.  Her second experience was in Australia snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef conducting coral, animal and sea turtle surveys. 

Joan M. is a recently retired biology instructor who taught a variety of courses including Environmental Science and Field Biology.  Trained as an ornithologist, her interests have expanded to learning about all aspects of nature.