Educators are invited to participate in the various education partnerships or utilize self-guided environmental education content. Contact the Environmental Education Manager to schedule a field trip. We also offer a suite of outdoor learning resources to be used on school campuses, at home or at a local nature area. Additionally, you can subscribe to receive our monthly Refuge Education Newsletter with information about upcoming professional development trainings and workshops for K-12 educators, along with family-friendly refuge programs and events.
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Materials for Outdoor Learning at Home or at School
Scheduling Field Trips
Self-Led Groups
Self-led groups, such as schools not in the two partnership programs described below, community summer camps or Scouts are welcome to visit and explore refuge lands, trails and visitor centers seven days a week! All visits to the wildlife refuge are free.
The visitor center grounds and trails throughout the refuge are available for your visit, but staff programming is not provided. An introductory video about the refuge can be shown in advance to prepare for your self-led visit. English video. Vídeo en Español.
We encourage group leaders to message us at least two weeks ahead to help us avoid conflicts with existing scheduled groups. To notify us about your self-led visit date and time, email the Environmental Education Manager.
Partner Teacher Program
By attending an orientation to refuge curriculum and facilities, local teachers are able to become Partner Teachers, who have the opportunity to lead their own field trips, with refuge staff providing them with field trip planning support and priority scheduling. Teachers have access to classroom spaces, lesson bins and a variety of equipment, including field microscopes, binoculars, snowshoes, field guides, clipboards and pencils and customize their field trip visit content and length to meet their needs. They may also borrow equipment, like snowshoes and binoculars, for use on their school campus.
Additionally, Partner Teachers are eligible for 50-100% bus reimbursement through the MN Valley Refuge Friends' Blue Goose Bus Fund. Schools are eligible for 100% bus reimbursement if their school has historically had 50% and above of students in the Free and Reduced Lunch program and 50% bus reimbursement if their school has historically had below 50% of students in the Free and Reduced Lunch program.
Commitment required from Partner Teachers:
- Attend one-hour orientation at preferred refuge visitor center
- Submit bus invoices by seasonal deadlines
If you're interested in becoming a Partner Teacher, email the Environmental Education Manager, and they will pass on your email to the current Partner Teacher liaison.
Partner Schools Program
The three-to-five-year Partner School Program provides teachers and students with multidisciplinary, standard-based curriculum that includes hands-on, real-life experiences with plants and wildlife, as well as recreational opportunities to immerse students in nature throughout the seasons. The program is taught by Refuge staff and reaches a wide audience of students with an emphasis on the communities surrounding the Refuge. Field trip busing expenses are reimbursed through the Blue Goose Bus Fund, administered by the Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends.
The Partner School program is currently full. If you are interested in becoming a Partner School, reach out to the Environmental Education Manager!
Field Trip Locations
Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead
Old Cedar Ave Trailhead, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55425
- Features: Nature Play Area, wetlands, forest, trails, bird watching
- Amenities: drinking water and flushing toilets May-October, portable restrooms November-April, trash receptacles, parking
Bass Ponds
Bass Ponds Trailhead, 2501 86th St E, Bloomington, MN 55425
- Features: wetlands, forest, trails, bird watching, fishing, macro-invertebrate study platforms, accessible docks
- Amenities: vault toilets, trash receptacles, personal vehicle and bus parking
Bloomington Visitor Center Trails and Grounds
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425
- Features: Visitor Center exhibits (closed during construction), wetlands, forest, trails, bird watching, macro-invertebrate study, accessible parking
- Amenities: indoor restrooms and drinking water (when visitor center is open), trash receptacles, personal vehicle and bus parking
Rapids Lake Visitor Center Trails and Grounds
Rapids Lake Environmental Education and Visitor Center, 15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315
- Features: Visitor Center, exhibits, views of Minnesota River, wetlands, forest, trails, bird watching
- Amenities: indoor restrooms, drinking water (when visitor center is open), trash receptacles, personal vehicle and bus parking
Preparing for your Field Trip
To prepare for outdoor field trips, it is important to remind students to dress appropriately for the weather (see list below) and come with an adventurous and respectful mindset.
What to bring:
Teachers:
- First aid kit
- Whistle
- Trash bags, all group must trash be taken back to the school
- Bus driver contact info
Students:
- Water bottle
- Name tag
- Lunch or snacks
How to dress:
- Winter: Boots, snow pants, jacket, mittens/gloves, hat, scarf
- Spring/Fall: closed toed shoes, long pants, top layer such as a sweatshirt or light jacket, hat (optional)
- Summer: closed toed shoes, hat. Note: long pants and long sleeves are preferred by some to prevent bug bites and sun burn.