Outdoors

At this event, winter is always a blast

Gillian Holte • January 16, 2025

Families gathered at Winter Blast in Staring Lake Park, enjoying ice skating, bonfires, and art despite Minnesota’s winter chill.

Surviving a snow-free, dark winter with beautiful blooms

Lynette Kalsnes • January 9, 2025

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum offers winter activities, including a wellness fair and conservatory blooms, while snow-dependent options await snowfall.

A roadrunner’s struggle in the wild

Stan Tekiela • January 6, 2025

A greater roadrunner with avian keratin disorder (AKD) reveals the harsh realities of survival and nature’s delicate balance.

Great gray owls’ snowy hunt

Stan Tekiela • December 23, 2024

Discover how great gray owls hunt beneath snowy landscapes in this NatureSmart column by naturalist and author Stan Tekiela.

First snow transforms Eden Prairie: Scenic yet slippery

EPLN Staff Reports • December 19, 2024

Eden Prairie’s first snowfall blanketed the town Thursday with 5-7 inches. Snowplows cleared roads as officials urged winter driving caution.

The wild side of javelinas: A close-up encounter

Stan Tekiela • December 9, 2024

Explore the wild world of javelinas with NatureSmart’s Stan Tekiela as he shares insights and close-up photography of these unique animals.

November buckthorn busters cap an encouraging year for Eden Prairie park habitats

Jeff Strate • December 6, 2024

Volunteers, including Friends of Eden Prairie Parks members and Hennepin County Commissioner Heather Edelson, spent a November weekend removing invasive buckthorn from north-central Eden Prairie public lands.

Minnesota snow flurry dustings, unexpected beauty, fall to spring

Jeff Strate • November 25, 2024

A whimsical take on Minnesota’s fleeting snows, November gloom, and resilient flamingos, with nods to local businesses and seasonal traditions.

On the trail of big bucks: Nature’s rut and rewards

Stan Tekiela • November 25, 2024

Stan Tekiela shares his experience tracking white-tailed bucks during the rut, blending sharp observations with insights into nature’s wonders.

An ode to chrysanthemums: These autumn blooms bring us beauty

Amber D. Stoner • November 22, 2024

Columnist finds beauty in chrysanthemums, the flowers of fall.

Turkey tales: The wild turkey’s feathery comeback in Minnesota

Stan Tekiela • November 11, 2024

Stan Tekiela reflects on the wild turkey’s comeback in Minnesota, sharing personal stories and insights on their resurgence.

Leafing through autumn’s color secrets

Stan Tekiela • October 28, 2024

Explore the science behind autumn’s vibrant colors and discover how chlorophyll, sunlight, and weather influence the beautiful seasonal transformation.