Saturday, April 6, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA member Janet Malotky, leaving from campground kiosk. Walk through a mixed habitat of prairie and woodland looking for resident birds that specialize in these areas. The trail is mowed grass and is well maintained. Bring your binoculars or borrow some from the park office. No need to register. If you have any questions, email [email protected]. This event is free. Vehicles entering the park are required to have a State Park vehicle permit. Permits are $7 per day or $35 for an annual sticker. Meet at the Frontenac State Park campground shower building at 9:00 AM. https://www.parksandtrails.org/event/frontenac-2024-04-06/
Photo by Steve Dietz
Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m.-noon: Sand Point Trail spring cleanup (volunteers welcome!).
Join the Frontenac State Park Association in a volunteer clean up event for Earth Day! Most years, the park’s Sand Point Trail floods, leaving behind lots of debris, and a lot of that is plastic. We’d love your help in cleaning up after the flood. The FSPA will provide information and equipment at the trailhead. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. We’ll also be picking up trash along the beach that has floated in. Sand Point is one of the loveliest and most-used trails in the area. Help us keep it beautiful. The event will take place even if there is light rain or if parts of the area are flooded. Check back on weather cancellation information. This event is free. https://www.parksandtrails.org/event/frontenac-2024-04-20/
Saturday, April 27: Free park entry day; FSPA will have a welcome table with free snacks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main picnic shelter.
Photo by Steve Dietz
Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.-noon: Ranger Jake Gaster will lead a walk-and-talk focused on post-fire ecology, leaving from the picnic shelter.
We regularly use prescribed fire at the park to keep our prairies and forests healthy, as fire is crucial in maintaining our ecosystem’s stability and diversity. Have you ever wanted to know why this is the case? Have you ever wondered what makes a prescribed fire different from a wildfire? Come get these and any other burning questions you may have answered at Frontenac State Park on the April Free Park Day! Join a park ranger on a guided hike around the prairie loop to learn about fire’s role in resource management at Frontenac State Park. We will be hiking in an area of the park where prescribed fire has been recently used to see first-hand how it changes these landscapes. The hike will last about an hour and a half and include uneven terrain. It is recommended to bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray, if preferred. Sturdy and comfortable shoe wear is also recommended. Meet at the Ranger Station. Severe weather or other factors may cause this event to be changed or canceled. For updates, or if you have questions, call Frontenac State Park at 651-299-3000. https://www.parksandtrails.org/event/post-fire-ecology-ranger-walk-talk/
Thursday, May 16, 2024 @ 3:00 pm Frontenac State Park picnic shelter
May 2024
Photo by Steve Dietz
Saturday, May 4, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Janet Malotky and Steve Dietz, leaving from campground kiosk.
Walk through a mixed habitat of prairie and woodland, looking for resident and early migrating birds that specialize in these areas. The trail is mowed grass and is well maintained. Bring your binoculars or borrow some from the park office. No need to register. If you have any questions, email [email protected]. This event is free. Vehicles entering the park are required to have a State Park vehicle permit. Permits are $7 per day or $35 for an annual sticker. Meet at the Frontenac State Park campground shower building at 9:00 AM.
Saturday, May 11, 10-11:30 a.m.: Volunteer Master Naturalist Pam Miller will lead a fungi walk from the campground shower building. The walk will focus on fungi species and habitat in the park and the relationship between trees and mushrooms. You’re wondering – will we find any MORELS? Maybe, but don’t count on it – part of the allure of looking for wild mushrooms is that they’re tricky and elusive!
Tuesday, May 14, 10-11: Nature Explorers: A new one-hour activity program for preschoolers with interpretive naturalist Sara Holger. May’s topic is birds. Meet at the main picnic shelter. (Look for an interview with Sara and more information on her upcoming monthly children’s programs in April’s newsletter.)
Thursday, May 16, 3-4:30 p.m.: Quarterly FSPA meeting, main picnic shelter. All are welcome.
Saturday, May 25, 8-10 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Janet Malotky and Steve Dietz at Hok-Si-La Park just north of Lake City. Meet in the Hok-Si-La parking lot.
Saturday, May 25, 9-10 p.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Sunday, May 26: Raptor program with Jackie Fallon 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.Falcons Live! Meet at the Ranger Station. The peregrine falcon has long fascinated people across the globe, known for its dramatic migration and amazing flight. Where 60 years ago there were none, today nearly 350 nesting pairs of falcons make their home in the Upper Midwest. Jackie Fallon, with the Midwest Peregrine Society, will present this program with several live birds to help us understand the past, present and future of peregrine falcons in Frontenac State Park, Minnesota, and Upper Midwest. Make sure to bring your camera for a great opportunity to see these amazing birds. The event will take place right next to the ranger station. This event is free. Vehicles need to display a valid MN State Park Permit upon entering park. Please stop by the office or purchase beforehand. $7 one-day permit, $35 year-round permit.
June 2024 Saturday, June 8: Free park entry day; FSPA will have a welcome table from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main picnic shelter.
Saturday, June 8, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, June 8, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Tuesday, June 11, 10-11 a.m.: Nature Explorers: Wildflowers, for preschoolers, with interpretive naturalist Sara Holger, main picnic shelter.
Saturday, June 15, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.-noon: Ranger Jake Gaster leads a walk-and-talk on post-fire ecology, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, June 22, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky along Prairie Loop Trail, leaving from park headquarters.
Saturday, June 22, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, June 29, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
July 2024 Saturday, July 6, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, July 6, 7 p.m.: Starry, Starry Night program with the Rochester Astronomy Club, beginning with a 45-minute presentation at the picnic shelter before star viewing from the main parking lot.
Tuesday, July 9, 10-11 a.m.: Nature Explorers: Insects, for preschoolers, with interpretive naturalist Sara Holger, main picnic shelter.
Saturday, July 13, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, July 13, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, July 20, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, July 20: Butterfly count (watch for details in upcoming newsletters).
Saturday, July 27, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky, Sand Point Trail. Meet at the Sand Point Trail parking lot.
Saturday, July 27, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, July 27: Mussel program (watch for details in upcoming newsletters).
Thursday, August 15, 2024 @ 3:00 pm Frontenac State Park picnic shelter
August 2024 Saturday, Aug. 3, 9-11 a.m.: Ranger Jake Gaster leads a talk-and-walk on native plants, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Aug. 3, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Aug. 10, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Aug. 10, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Tuesday, Aug. 13, 10-11 a.m.: Nature Explorers: Wildlife, for preschoolers, with interpretive naturalist Sara Holger, main picnic shelter.
Thursday, Aug. 15, 3-4:30 p.m.: FSPA quarterly meeting, main picnic shelter.
Saturday, Aug. 17, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Aug. 24, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky along Prairie Loop Trail, leaves from park headquarters.
Saturday, Aug. 24, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Aug. 31, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m.: Starry, Starry Night program with the Rochester Astronomy Club, beginning with a 45-minute presentation at the picnic shelter before star viewing from the main parking lot.
September 2024
Sunday, Sept. 1: Falcons Live! Falcon program with Jackie Fallon 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Meet at the Park Office. The peregrine falcon has long fascinated people across the globe, known for its dramatic migration and amazing flight. Where 60 years ago there were none, today nearly 350 nesting pairs of falcons make their home in the Upper Midwest.
Jackie Fallon, with the Midwest Peregrine Society, will present this program with several live birds to help us understand the past, present and future of peregrine falcons in Frontenac State Park, Minnesota, and Upper Midwest. Make sure to bring your camera for a great opportunity to see these amazing birds.
The event will take place right next to the ranger station. This event is free. Vehicles need to display a valid MN State Park Permit upon entering park. Please stop by the office or purchase beforehand. $7 one-day permit, $35 year-round permit.
Saturday, Sept. 7, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Seed-gathering work day for FSPA members (volunteers welcome!).
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 10-11 a.m.: Nature Explorers: Seeds, for preschoolers, with interpretive naturalist Sara Holger, main picnic shelter.
Saturday, Sept. 14, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Sept.14, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Saturday, Sept. 28, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky, Sand Point Trail.
Saturday, Sept. 28, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
October 2024 Saturday, Oct. 5, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk. Tuesday, Oct. 8, 10-11 a.m.: Nature Explorers: Trees, for preschoolers, with interpretive naturalist Sara Holger, main picnic shelter. Saturday, Oct. 12, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk. Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-noon: Fungi habitat walk with FSPA member Pamela Miller, leaving from campground kiosk. Saturday, Oct. 19, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk. Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-noon: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky, leaving from campground kiosk. Saturday, Oct. 26, 10-11 a.m.: Nature walk with interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause, leaving from campground kiosk.
Thursday, November 21, 2024 @ 3:00 pm Frontenac State Park picnic shelter
November 2024 Friday, Nov. 9, 9-11 a.m.: Guided bird walk with FSPA members Steve Dietz and Janet Malotky, Sand Point Trail. Meet at the Sand Point Trail parking lot. Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-noon: Invasives removal work day for FSPA members (volunteers welcome!). Friday, Nov. 29: Free park entry day; FSPA will have a welcome table from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main picnic shelter.
2023 Events
Falcons Live 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023 The peregrine falcon has long fascinated people for its lengthy migration and amazing flight acrobatics. Sixty years ago, there were none in the Upper Midwest. Today, about 350 nesting pairs make their home in the region. Jackie Fallon of the Midwest Peregrine Society will present this program, which will feature several live birds.
Gather right next to the ranger station for this program.
Nature Hike Saturdays in September, 2023 @ 10:00 am Every August Saturday, interpretive naturalist Bruce Ause will lead an hour-long nature walk atop the bluff area. No matter how much you know about the park, Bruce will surprise and captivate you with his revelations and observations, all delivered with his characteristic gentle good humor. Terrific for adults and kids. Meet at 10 a.m. sharp in front of the new shower building in the park campground.
Prairie Seed Collection 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 FSPA members and volunteers (please join us!) will learn how to collect native prairie plant seeds, and then do so for spring planting purposes. Meet just before 10 a.m. at park headquarters near the park entrance. Seed collections will be conducted in the prairie area across County Road 2 from the park office. Long pants, long sleeves and close-toed shoes are recommended. We’ll provide all materials needed for collecting seeds.
Astronomy Day in the park Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 8:00-10:00 p.m. Astronomy Day in the park, courtesy of the Rochester Astronomy Club: 8:00-11:00 p.m. Drive to the top of the park and friendly FSPA volunteers will direct you to a parking spot and the event, which will start at the main picnic shelter.
Public sky observing of the young moon 8.7 days after the new moon. You’ll also see the planets Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter and Uranus, bright stars, double stars and more by telescope with guidance from members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.