Tracking Club: Foraging for Berries: Sun, Jul 26

Tracking Club returns this weekend with something a little bit different--foraging berries.

Sunday, July 26

9:00 - 1:00

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

3815 American Blvd E

Bloomington, MN 55425

From the beginning of Minnesota's lockdown, we have been encouraging people to get outside on their own or with members of their household. Four months later, there is growing evidence that outdoor transmission of the novel coronavirus is extremely rare, as discussed in these articles from the New York Times and Washington Post. Meanwhile, masks are proving to be effective in reducing transmission. With this growing understanding of potential risks, we believe it is safe to resume small outdoor gatherings such as tracking club. These gatherings allow for easy spatial distancing and offer connection to people and to nature in one of the safest ways possible.

With all the challenges we are facing these days, we thought it would be lovely to get back to tracking club by gather together to look for fresh berries to enjoy. While we are at it, we might investigate insect sign on plants, try our had at identifying berry seeds in scat we may find, and otherwise act like a group of trackers out for a walk in the woods.

We hope you can join us.

This is an all-weather event and we spend time off trail. Please bring appropriate footwear and dress for several hours outdoors in whatever weather we may have that day. Please also take appropriate precautions for biting insects and ticks. Finally, bring something to collect berries. We don't know what we will find, but Refuge rules allow each person to collect up to one gallon for personal consumption.

We will gather at 9:00 outside of the Refuge Visitor Center. We will head out onto Hillside and Long Meadow Lake trails 9:20 and will likely return to the Visitor Center when we are full :) If you need to reach us the day of the outing, please call Jon's cellphone: 612-388-4700.

RSVPs are encouraged, but not required.

• • E-mail Jonathan <poppele@umn.edu>

  • Use our online Contact Form

For a map & directions click here