Events for nature lovers of all ages!
We have regular events and activities open to the public for kids and adults. You can stay informed and find out more by becoming a member. Or you can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our email list, subscribing to our blog. As a member you'll also receive our paper newsletter.
Bird Walks hosted by brick fevold: saturday, apr 30, may 28, jun 25, jul 30, 9:00-11:00 am
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Are you fascinated by birds? Concerned for their future? Wondering what you can do to help protect and conserve them? Then join Brick the last Saturday of the month April-July @ 9 AM at Paul and Babe in Bemidji for a 2-hour exploration of local birds, their habitats, and the threats they face - and to learn what actions you can take to support their protection. This event will require vehicle transportation to locations within 30 minutes of Bemidji.
Brick Fevold is a Wildlife Ecologist, Scientist Advisor, and National Audubon member. Brick will complement the experience by facilitating discussion of National Audubon reports of climate change impacts on birds and relating them to the bird species and habitats observed first-hand during the event. |
Megumi Williamson / Audubon Photography Awards
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build a Native Bee Hotel - saturday, apr 30, 1:00-4:00 pm
Photo Credit Lamdogjunkie Via Flickr Creative Commons / Flic.Kr/P/F5HUNq
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Native pollinators need both diverse gardens of native wildflowers and secure places to lay eggs. Mason bees and leafcutter bees require hollow stems to shelter their eggs and store food for the larvae. We can help these native bees by building “bee hotels” of stacked plant stems or holes drilled in wood. Participants will learn about native bees from DNR bee expert Erin Maxson and construct their own bee hotels out of natural materials and lumber. All materials provided at no cost. Free will donations accepted.
Meet in the Lehman Lab at the Neilson Spearhead Center . |
The 122nd Annual Christmas Bird Count - SATURDAY, DEC 18TH, 2021
COME JOIN US!
If you are looking for a change of pace this holiday season, then the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is it! This Citizen Science opportunity lets bird lovers contribute to the longest running worldwide bird conservation dataset - all collected by people just like you.
WHAT’S YOUR PART IN THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT?
Walking around, looking and listening for birds. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle and is organized by a 'count compiler'. Volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear. If your home is within the boundaries of a CBC circle, then you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you have made prior arrangement with the count compiler.
Organizers: (contact mhas@spearheadmhas.org for more information)
To get a feel for participating in a CBC, watch this 2019 news clip from Lakeland News: "Bemidji Bird Enthusiasts Take Part In National Christmas Bird Count"
If you are looking for a change of pace this holiday season, then the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is it! This Citizen Science opportunity lets bird lovers contribute to the longest running worldwide bird conservation dataset - all collected by people just like you.
WHAT’S YOUR PART IN THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT?
Walking around, looking and listening for birds. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle and is organized by a 'count compiler'. Volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear. If your home is within the boundaries of a CBC circle, then you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you have made prior arrangement with the count compiler.
Organizers: (contact mhas@spearheadmhas.org for more information)
- Jaime Thibodeaux
- Becca Engdahl
To get a feel for participating in a CBC, watch this 2019 news clip from Lakeland News: "Bemidji Bird Enthusiasts Take Part In National Christmas Bird Count"
Snow Sparkles and Winter Wonders - wednesday, DEC 29TH, 2021
NOON- 5PM AT THE NEILSON SPEARHEAD CENTER
Join Naturalist Dan Bera at the Neilson Spearhead Center (an Audubon nature site located 9 mi SW of Bemidji) for a very special post-Christmas treat! Enjoy a toasty bonfire, hot chocolate, and snowflakes, snowsnakes, animal tracks, and a walk on the frozen lake. Second grade and older - welcome! Dress warmly; bring an extra pair of snowpants and mittens. $15 for 1st child, $10 for a sibling, or $25 for a family.
Register by Dec. 22; email ynp@spearheadmhas.org or call Dan 218-835-4782.
Join Naturalist Dan Bera at the Neilson Spearhead Center (an Audubon nature site located 9 mi SW of Bemidji) for a very special post-Christmas treat! Enjoy a toasty bonfire, hot chocolate, and snowflakes, snowsnakes, animal tracks, and a walk on the frozen lake. Second grade and older - welcome! Dress warmly; bring an extra pair of snowpants and mittens. $15 for 1st child, $10 for a sibling, or $25 for a family.
Register by Dec. 22; email ynp@spearheadmhas.org or call Dan 218-835-4782.
Monarch butterfly Festival; Birds, Bees & Butterflies – Bemidji: Sun. Sept 12, 2021
Join the Birds, Bees, Butterflies Bemidji group as we celebrate "Bemidji Connecting with Nature". The event kicks off at 11am with our featured speaker, Larry Weber, at the American Indian Resource Center on the Bemidji State University campus. Then come over to North Country Park at 1pm to hear the Annual Barta Butterfly Report and Annual Brian Bird Report as well as a re-signing of the Mayor's Monarch Pledge. There will be children's activities and a 'Raptors Rule' demonstration by the Headwaters Science Center, too! Several area organizations will also have a table at the event.
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SCHEDULE
American Indian Resource Center - BSU 11:00: Spiders and Spider Webs - Larry Weber North Country Park Outdoor Classroom 1:00pm: Welcome 1:05pm: Annual Barta Butterfly Report 1:15pm: Re-signing of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge 1:30pm: Annual Brian Bird Report 1:45pm: Headwater’s Science Center “Raptors Rule” program Pavilion 1:00pm: How to Collect Seed from Native Plants Yourself!” Beltrami Co SWCD 2:00pm: How to Collect Seed from Native Plants Yourself!” Beltrami Co SWCD Ongoing
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MHAS Annual Members Celebration - sat, oct 2, 2021
[New date!]
Come join us at the Neilson Spearhead Center and Preserve* (NSC) for guided hikes, learn about MHAS activities, share a free meal, and hear from wildlife photographer, Brent Cizek.
Brent's specialty is photographing owls. His favorite is the Great Grey Owl found in our northern forests and bogs. He was just awarded 'Honorable Mention' in the 2021 National Audubon Annual Photography contest. Brent will be showing us examples of his work and telling us what it takes to get that 'special' shot.
The Neilson Spearhead Center is located 11 miles south of Bemidji, just west of Lake Plantagenet. Everyone is welcome to attend our Celebration – whether you are a current MHAS member or not! If you’ve never visited the Neilson Spearhead Center this is a great opportunity to explore our trails and learn about programs we offer for youth, families and adults.
Schedule of Events
Come join us at the Neilson Spearhead Center and Preserve* (NSC) for guided hikes, learn about MHAS activities, share a free meal, and hear from wildlife photographer, Brent Cizek.
Brent's specialty is photographing owls. His favorite is the Great Grey Owl found in our northern forests and bogs. He was just awarded 'Honorable Mention' in the 2021 National Audubon Annual Photography contest. Brent will be showing us examples of his work and telling us what it takes to get that 'special' shot.
The Neilson Spearhead Center is located 11 miles south of Bemidji, just west of Lake Plantagenet. Everyone is welcome to attend our Celebration – whether you are a current MHAS member or not! If you’ve never visited the Neilson Spearhead Center this is a great opportunity to explore our trails and learn about programs we offer for youth, families and adults.
Schedule of Events
- 3:30 Hike at NSC
- 4:30 Meet and Greet Members, Naturalist Activities for kids
- 5:00 Free Picnic Dinner
- 6:00 Presentation : Brent Cizek
- 6:30 Annual Meeting, Board Elections
Bald Eagle Day/Bemidji Bird City Celebration - Paul Bunyan Park (Lk Bemidji Waterfront).
Sat, june 20, 2020 [canceled due to pandemic- check back for rescheduled event]
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Celebrate National Bald Eagle Day and Bemidji’s status as an Audubon Minnesota “Bird City”. Listen to speakers and join in family activities on the shores of Lake Bemidji. You may even get to see a live eagle or other raptors up close!
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Top Ten Native Plant promotion event - Sanford Center & participating local nurseries and garden centers. Sat, June 20, 2020 [canceled due to pandemic - click here for bbbb 2020 top 10 Native plants flyer]
‘Birds, Bees & Butterflies – Bemidji’ (BBBB) and participating nurseries and garden centers will host a Top Ten promotion event encouraging people to add native plants to their gardens and landscapes. Start at the BBBB tent at the Sanford Parking lot with all the bikers heading out for the ‘Loop the Lake Festival’; and then go to presentations at local nurseries and garden centers. Prize Drawings for native plants to add to your yard!
bemidji lawns-to-legumes (l2l) workshop: tues, feb 18, 2020, 6-9 pm, beltrami electric community room
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This workshop is designed for residents who want to incorporate native plants into their own yard. Come with a map of your property and learn which native plants will attract pollinators to your yard, how to create a ‘native pocket planting’, rain garden, or pollinator lawn – and leave feeling ready to get started. A L2L coach will be there to assist you.
Register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/92032097481 The event is free and a light snack will be provided. This workshop is provided by Blue Thumb in partnership with Bird, Bees & Butterflies - Bemidji and the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources |
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"Birds of the Far North - Churchill, Iceland, & Finland”: sat, jan 4, 2020, 2-3 pm at Lake Bemidji State Park
Steve and George-Ann Maxson will share photos from the edge of the Arctic. Life at high latitudes faces many challenges: long, cold, dark winters followed by short, 24 hour daylight summers, cyclic food abundance, and always, the wind. Meet the birds of 60° North.
If you missed the November program, catch it again on Jan 4 at the state park.
Here are a few pictures from the presentation...
If you missed the November program, catch it again on Jan 4 at the state park.
Here are a few pictures from the presentation...
