Outside in Minnesota!
Help us inspire other Minnesotans to get out and enjoy the outdoors!
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National park in the city
Here's a neat resource someone shared with us today:
"So many people in the Twin Cities have no idea that they are living in or near a National Park. Yup! The Mississippi River, from Coon Rapids to Hastings, is officially the "Mississippi National River and Recreation Area." Programming lead by park rangers is available year round, giving city dwellers a chance to learn about the national park and this amazing natural resource, the Mississippi River, that runs practically through their own backyard. The park is comprised of dozens of city, state and regional parks such as Coldwater Spring, Fort Snelling State Park, North Mississippi Regional Park, Spring Lake Park Preserve, St. Anthony Falls, Lilydale Regional Park, and many others. The National Park Service offers programs that include biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, birding, habitat restoration, volunteer opportunities, youth education programs, and much more." — Anonymous -
Another great outdoor activity? Lending turtles a helping hand! Check out tips in this new report:
See a turtle on the road? Help it live another day
June is nesting season for turtles, and females are looking for a place to lay their eggs. But roads can be a deadly hazard. -
Did you know fishing could be a team sport?
Student fishing league catching on in Minnesota lakes country
A two-year-old league has 22 schools and more than 450 students participating in competitive fishing. The interest caught organizers by surprise and they believe it bodes well for the future of angling. -
Raise butterflies, the right way
Hoping your butterfly release will boost monarch population? Not quite, study says
Despite an increase in the population this year, the number of North American monarchs making their seasonal migration has been falling dramatically over the past 20 years. And if monarchs don't migrate, they die. -
Taking it all in on the trails
"I am newly retired and am recreational bicycling nearly every day. I have been trying to ride all the recreational/bicycle trails within 80 miles of my home. This included the Root River Trail, the Douglas Trail, the Great River Ridge State Trail, and the Cannon Valley Trail. Also some trails in Iowa and Wisconsin." — Marty -
Summer isn't all fun and games. Here are some tips to avoid or fight back against the things in nature that make getting outdoors a little more tricky.
Summer bummers: 9 things that can ruin fun and how to fight back
Summer has a dark side. But we're here to help you combat the troubles that come with the season so you can get back to enjoying yourself in the great Minnesota outdoors! -
The search for free events
"I’m getting outdoors this summer by biking, skateboarding, SUPing (standup paddleboarding), sailing and swimming and hiking. I wish I knew more about free events." — MichaelAre you also looking for free outdoor events? We have a new resource for you! Check out our new Outside in MN app -- it includes a calendar of events in your area, most of which are free! (You can also search #free on the calendar app to narrow it down further.)Download it for iOS or on Google Play. -
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Here's what a few readers/listeners suggested we all try back in 2017!
9 delicious campfire recipes that aren't hot dogs
Hot dogs roasted on a stick can be amazing after a day of enjoying the wilderness, but what about something more adventurous? -
On Monday, MPR News hosts Angela Davis and Cathy Wurzer headed north to Tettegouche State Park for some special segments all about getting outdoors. Check out some of that coverage below to learn about the park's history, the state of other parks and why getting outside is so good for you!
Getting outside is good for us. Here's how to make it happen
We know that getting outside is good for us, particularly for kids. Research shows outdoor activity can reduce anxiety and stress and improve academic performance. But families say it's challenging to find time to spend outdoors, and kids are increasingly drawn to technology, keeping them inside.
Popular Minn. state parks working to keep the crowds in the future
Visitation to state parks in Minnesota is booming. Attendance is up more than 20 percent since 2003. But despite that popularity, there are some red flags on the horizon.
A (brief) history of Tettegouche State Park
Before it became one of Minnesota's most beloved outside places, Tettegouche State Park had a long history -- from fire to ice to tribes to loggers. -
Far out! Here are some tips for the first-time stargazers out there.
Starstruck: Four tips for exploring the night sky in Minnesota
Suresh Sreenivasan, who leads the beginners program for Minnesota Astronomical Society, shares advice on how to get started with stargazing. -
Where's the best ice cream in MN?
Looking to go on an ice cream themed tour of Minnesota this summer? Here's a reader suggestion:"Have an ice cream, homemade and lactose free at Victual/Rave Creamworks in Crosby." — AnonymousAnd a few more from Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl with Mpls.St.Paul Magazine:
