EDUCATORS

TEACH WITH ANOKA COUNTY PARKS

Our naturalists want to help you teach our local youth. Check out the variety of opportunities we provide below.

Heritage Lab - Nature Education & Field Trips - Wildlife Outreach - Organizations & Clubs - Upcoming Activities

Group of people outdoors, some standing, some sitting, engaging in an activity with a blue tarp; a red barn and autumn trees in the background.

Heritage Lab

Heritage Lab is a full day, outdoor historical program held for several weeks each fall. It takes place at a permanent site located in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, an area rich in Indian and Settler history.

Students in first through sixth grade rotate through different educational stations. At each station, students participate in hands-on activities related to a historical theme.

REGISTRATION OPENS IN SEPTEMBER.

Historical Time Period Themes

  • Voyageurs

  • Native American People of Minnesota

  • Pioneers and Settlers

  • Early Minnesota and Milling

  • Mining and Lumbering

Funding

Thanks to the continued financial support of Connexus Energy, approximately 3,000 students can participate in this unique program each year at a reduced cost.

Woman, child, and man using manual apple cider press outdoors

NATURE EDUCATION & FIELD TRIPS

Each program meets a variety of State Science Standards as determined by the Minnesota Department of Education.

 Our naturalists are highly trained and experienced in working with groups of all ages and abilities. They are dedicated to helping others learn and enjoy our natural environment. At Wargo Nature Center, students will have access to the lake, woods, marsh, and prairie ecosystems. Our nature education group sizes are kept with a small student/naturalist ratio. If your class is unable to come to the nature center, we would love to bring our programs to you.

We encourage you to explore the Partnership Program in which students experience the outdoors in the fall, winter, and spring at a discounted rate.

Programs for the 2024-25 school year are full. 2025-26 school year requests will be available starting May 15.

Monarch butterfly on a milkweed plant with orange and red flowers, surrounded by green leaves.

WILDLIFE OUTREACH

Wildlife Outreach is provided free to local schools to provide naturalist-led presentations on Minnesota animals in an informal and fun way School groups choose a topic from a list of ten possible animals to augment their curriculum. The presentations are approximately 45 minutes and focus on the animal's habitat, adaptations, and conservation issues. Artifacts such as furs, bones, mounts, and costumes are used to bring the animals to life. Each student takes home a brochure that covers key points of the presentation.

Wildlife Outreach takes place during the winter months of the school year. Animal topics are periodically changed and updated to reflect the current interests of students and current events. Thanks to the continued support from Connexus Energy, more than 25,000 students can participate in this program annually for free.

REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE FROM NOVEMBER THROUGH APRIL.

Local School Districts Served:

  • ISD 11 Anoka-Hennepin

  • ISD 12 Centennial

  • ISD 13 Columbia Heights

  • ISD 14 Fridley

  • ISD 15 St. Francis

  • ISD 16 Spring Lake Park

  • ISD 624 White Bear Lake

  • ISD 831 Forest Lake

  • ISD 728 Elk River

  • ISD 621 Mounds View
    (Turtle Lake, Bel Air & Sunnyside)

  • Private schools within those districts are also eligible.

Children examining algae with plastic spoons on a wooden deck.

ORGANIZATIONS & CLUBS

Wargo Nature Center staff can arrange programs to fulfill a badge, 4-H project requirement, or Eagle Scout project.

Naturalists at Wargo can conduct special programs on forestry, nature study, pond study, and much more.

Bring your group out for $6 per person with a 10 person or $60 minimum.