Public Programs
The Fish Lake Nature Trail is open, and other programs are running in a mix of online, in-person and hybrid formats!
For details about scheduling K-12 programs, please visit our EDUCATION PAGE.
Although Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is a private university facility, we welcome the public to visit and explore at various times throughout the year. Our goal is to provide a wide range of opportunities for our friends and neighbors to get to know Cedar Creek, and for our community to be as invested in and proud of this special place as our scientists are!
For questions or comments about our public programs, contact Kara Baldwin at baldwink@umn.edu or 612-301-2602.
Plan a workshop or tour for your group
Are you a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist or member of an environmentally-oriented or outdoorsy group? We would love to host your next chapter meeting or field trip! We are happy to provide short presentations, field tours, guided hikes and more on our property, or to speak to your group offsite on topics of particular interest. We have offered programs and tours to groups ranging from faith-based organizations to professional naturalist clubs and everything in between! Contact Kara Baldwin (baldwink@umn.edu) for information on fees and options, and to arrange your program.
Learn directly from our scientists
Our signature public program is our monthly Lunch with a Scientist lecture series, which connects community members directly with researchers for experiment overviews and field tours. Join us on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 11:30am! We also have opportunities for members of the public to contribute directly to research initiatives through several citizen science projects.
Discuss ecology with neighbors
The public is invited to participate in our monthly ecology book club, which was founded and continues to be run by community members. No science background is necessary, and it is not mandatory to finish the books to join in the discussion. Regular meetings take place on zoom the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.
Additional events are listed on our Upcoming Events page and on facebook.
Visit Cedar Creek on your own
Plan your visit using the links below:
- Upcoming tours, workshops and events
- Self-guided walking and skiing at Fish Lake Nature Trail
- Citizen Science projects
- Artist in Residence program
Stay Connected!
Interested in learning more about what’s happening at Cedar Creek? Click here for our quarterly newletter Field Notes (and the newsletter archives). Did you attend an event? Share your favorite Cedar Creek stories on our Memories page or by emailing Kara Baldwin (baldwink@umn.edu).
New events are being added all the time: stay up to date with research news and outreach activities at Cedar Creek by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Become a member! Your membership at Cedar Creek supports education and public programs (including K-12 science experiences, public events and citizen science initiatives) research opportunities for young scientists, and conservation and restoration of threatened ecosystems. Enjoy member benefits that keep you connected to Cedar Creek. Memberships are annual. Contributions are 100% tax deductible.
- $25 level: Cedar Creek’s quarterly newsletter “Field Notes” and an invitation to an annual members-only events
- $50 level: all of the above, plus discounts on fee-based outreach programs and a set of Cedar Creek greeting cards.
- $150 level: all of the above, plus a personal staff-led tour of Cedar Creek.