Spring and Summer Field Trips and Webinars
After missing out on in-person education last summer and winter due to COVID-19, we are easing back into in-person education in the Sax-Zim Bog!
Please note: COVID-19 protocols will be adhered to during field trips including wearing masks, social distancing between households, and capacity limits. Attendees will travel in their own vehicles from site to site. Please stay home if you have any symptoms.
We will also be offering monthly webinars during this season as well! Webinars will be held on Thursdays, starting at 6:30 pm. Previously held webinars can be viewed here.
Field Trip attendance is free for members (those who have donated $25 or more within the past year). If you are interested in membership, the $25 fee covers membership and free entry to any field trip or program in a 12 month period! Webinar attendance is free. You must register online for each of these field trips or webinars.
If you have questions about summer programs or webinars, please contact Head Naturalist Clinton by email at naturalist@saxzim.org.
Saturday, July 24
Introduction to Nature Photography: A Photo Naturalist Approach
3:30- 8:30 pm Meeting at the Welcome Center
Registration limited to 5
Cost: $25/members, $50 non-members (includes membership)
The Friends of Sax-Zim Bog are excited to be offering two photo workshops as part of education programming this season! Registration for these programs will have an extra cost above membership and will be taught by Welcome Center Naturalist Jason Heinen. This course will serve as an introduction to nature photography geared toward beginners and will discuss a variety of tools of the trade, nature photography methods, tips for species identification, all with a focus on appreciation of all the biodiversity that Sax-Zim Bog has to offer.
The course will consider a number of species, from birds, to bugs, to plants… everything is a potential target for our lenses! If you are hoping to build on your photography skills and are also hoping to learn a little about the subjects you are shooting, this is a great workshop to attend! The course will cater to photographers at the beginning of their journey and all ages are welcome to attend these workshops!
Please bring your camera and don’t forget extra batteries and memory cards. Plan to also bring something to take notes with, as well as water/bug spray/snacks as needed. We will likely be walking over uneven terrain, with some potential for getting feet wet.
With questions about membership status contact our Development Director Sarah by email at info@saxzim.org. If you have questions about this workshop, please contact workshop instructor and Welcome Center Naturalist Jason by email at jasonheinen21@gmail.com.
Register for this Workshop here: Nature Photography with Jason Heinen
Saturday, July 31
Spiders Field Trip
12:00- 5:00 pm Meeting at the Welcome Center
Registration limited to 5 vehicles
Spiders are an interesting bunch: some have nothing but nice things to say about them, while others cannot bear to be within several hundred feet of these eight legged wonders. The Sax-Zim Bog has an incredible diversity of spiders, including several first state record and dozens of new county record species in the last three years. Come out to learn a little more about the different species of spiders in Minnesota and spend some time observing these misunderstood critters!
Register for this Field Trip here: Spiders Field Trip
Saturday, August 7
Stream Study: Upper St. Louis River
10:00 am-4:00 pm Meeting at the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center
Registration limited to 5 vehicles
The St. Louis River is an incredible waterway: It drains 2.4 million acres of Northern Minnesota, differs greatly in geology across its reach from east-central St. Louis County to Duluth, and is home to some interesting biodiversity. Rivers are diverse and ever changing waterways. This program will not only investigate the St. Louis River and what it has to offer biologically, but will give participants a chance to observe and interpret a truly dynamic ecosystem. You will definitely be getting wet during this field trip!
Register for this Field Trip here: Stream Study Field Trip
Saturday, August 21
Tiger Beetles Field Trip
12:00- 5:00 pm Meeting at the Welcome Center
Registration limited to 5 vehicles
Tiger beetles are a colorful, yet overlooked group of beetles that are becoming quite popular to amateur entomologists and naturalists. Often, you find these species very commonly in gravel pits or open sandy areas. Their large eyes, bright colors, and tenacious attitudes are something to experience! Come out to learn a little more about these colorful and fast predators.
Register for this Field Trip here: Tiger Beetles Field Trip
Saturday, August 28
Fall Migration Field Trip
8:00 am- 2:00 pm Meeting at the Welcome Center
Registration limited to 5 vehicles
The last field trip of the season will hope to experience a little of what migration has to offer in the Sax-Zim Bog! Because of the amount of habitat, it can be quite difficult to find birds in the Sax-Zim Bog and this field trip will hope to show you how to best navigate the Sax-Zim Bog during migration. At this time of year birds are migrating, but there might be a chance to experience migration from insects (like Painted Lady butterflies and Common Green Darner dragonflies could be moving at this time of year)!
Register for this Field Trip here: Fall Migration Field Trip
Directions to the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center
ADDRESS: The address is Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center 8793 Owl Avenue, Toivola, MN 55765
[NOTE: THIS IS NOT A MAILING ADDRESS…but put this address into Google Maps or Apple Maps.]
Directions from Cotton, MN on US HWY 53:
*Go West from Cotton on CR52/Arkola for 11 miles
*Turn South (left) on Owl Avenue
*Go 1.75 miles (second curve) to Welcome Center
Directions from Meadowlands, on CR133…
*Go East on CR133 to CR229/29
*Turn North (left) on CR229/29
*Go North to T at Correction Line Rd
*Turn West (left) on Correction Line Rd
*Road curves North and becomes Owl Ave
*Go North on Owl Avenue for 2.5 miles to Welcome Center