Explore, understand and conserve the natural landscape. Through our education, volunteer and participatory science programs, people can become stewards of Minnesota’s public and private lands.
Minnesota Master Naturalist Janet Nelson captures nature’s details with skillful precision honed at crime scenes.
Water isn’t just a resource for Bob McNamara. It’s life itself. “You don’t know until it’s gone how important it is.”
Minnesota Master Naturalists can volunteer as seed collectors, targeting plants from early-blooming pasqueflowers and prairie smoke to late-blooming asters and bottle gentian.
Increasing climate resilience through research, collaboration and communication
A weekly blog of Minnesota climate and weather observations
Any adult who is curious and enjoys learning about the natural world can become a Minnesota Master Naturalist.
Explore your natural surroundings with your family, help scientists observe plants and animals, stay active while staying home.
Everyone, everywhere, can be a scientist by observing and gathering data about the world around them.
Educators and youth workers find resources and curricula for outdoor and classroom activities.
Foster healthy, resilient woodlands by adding species predicted to adapt well to climate changes.
Agroforestry combines agricultural and forestry practices to improve environmental quality, productivity and economic returns.
Minnesota forests offer more than timber. Learn how to produce nuts and fruit, make maple syrup or gather wild plants for food or decorations.
Learn how to care for and manage different forest types and harvest timber in Minnesota.
Participating in the Minnesota Woodland Steward program will help you create a plan to keep your woods healthy for future generations.
Timely articles on sustainable forest management and achieving forest stewardship goals.
AIS Detectors and Trackers are statewide volunteer invasive species surveillance programs that target high-risk areas with trained observers.
Citizens can help with early detection of invasive species.
Forest Pest First Detector volunteers detect and diagnose early infestations of invasive plants, insects and other pests.
Volunteers work on short-term research projects that have long-term effects on invasive species science, management and policy.
Pollinators help plants that bring us food and other resources. Learn how to create pollinator-friendly environments in your yard and garden.
Strategies for attracting wildlife to your Minnesota woodlands, including grouse, deer, pheasants, turkey and other animals.
Manage plant damage from deer, moles and voles.
Volunteer to collect data on deer damage to vegetation in Minnesota woodlands.
The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership hosts the awards each spring to celebrate and accelerate environmental stewardship across the state.
New checklists help residents protect their homes with science-based steps tailored to major climate and weather threats: wind and hail, flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, and snow and ice.
April is Native Plant Month, but climate change may be reshaping what “native” means.
Timely articles on forestry, water resources, wildlife, invasive species, volunteer citizen science projects and the work of Master Naturalists.
See all natural resource events around the state.
© 2026 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.