MNWWN members are invited to join the North Metro Volunteer Naturalists, chapter of the UMN Minnesota Master Naturalist Program, at their "Meet Up" on Sunday, July 17 from 10:00-3:00 at the UMN Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (CCESR) in East Bethel.  See and learn about red-headed woodpeckers and the bison/oak savannah research there, explore use of the iNaturalist App, and learn about and practice pollinator identification. Learn about the Master Naturalist Program and connect with some really great people in a great place!

Dress for the weather, insects and ticks, and be ready for a one- to two-mile hike on flat ground in the morning.  Bring binoculars if you have them.  Spend the entire day, or morning or afternoon only (see the schedule below).  

**Please RSVP by sending an email to the North Metro Volunteer Naturalists contact Mark Larson - larsonmarkd@me.com for a head count.**

Schedule: 

10-12:  Walk on Fish lake Nature Trail to the (recently burned) oak woods with researcher Elena West, a red-headed woodpecker expert studying the colony there.  An option is a side trip to the bison/oak savannah viewing platform off of the same trail.  Volunteers are at the platform. 

12-1:  Lunch at the CCESR building - bring your own bag lunch and beverage.

1-2:  Explore use of the iNaturalist app with naturalist Konnie Her inside the CCESR building if bad weather, or outside if nice weather. 

2-3:  Look for and idenify pollinators in the flowers around the CCESR building area with naturalist Dave Crawford. 

Directions:

Fish Lake Nature Trail Directions: Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (umn.edu) (Scroll down for link to actual directions)

23603 Durant St NE, East Bethel, MN 55005

(7 minute drive from Fish Lake Nature Trail to the CCESR building)

Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (CCESR) Building Directions: https://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/about/directions 

2660 Fawn Lake Dr NE, East Bethel, MN 55005