Shetek Environmental Learning Center

05/29/2026

Always in awe of the beautiful of nature. These are a few things that have made me pause in my day and delight in the wonder and beauty of nature around me. What things in nature have made you pause from what you have been doing to take notice? Share your images in the comments.

“If one truly loves nature one finds beauty everywhere.” Vincent Van Gogh

05/09/2026

Today is World Migratory Bird Day. What is your favorite migratory bird that you look forward to seeing every year?

🌏🐦 Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 🐦🌏

On May 9, we honor the incredible journeys of migratory birds that travel thousands of miles each year between their breeding and wintering grounds. From tiny songbirds to majestic raptors, these travelers connect ecosystems across continents.

💛 Why it matters:
Migratory birds are vital for pollination, seed dispersal and keeping insect populations in check. Protecting their habitats ensures healthy ecosystems and thriving wildlife.

🌿 How you can help:
• Turn off unnecessary lights at night – they can disorient birds on their journey
• Keep bird feeders and water sources clean
• Plant native flowers, shrubs and trees to provide food and shelter
• Reduce hazards like window collisions and outdoor cat predation

This World Migratory Bird Day, let’s celebrate these amazing travelers and do our part to help them on their journey! 🕊️💙

📸A blue heron, photo submitted to DNR by Sallie Stormquist.

05/08/2026

Friday fun fact: an adult pelican can eat 2.5 to 4 pounds of fish per day.

05/07/2026

It’s a beauiful spring day here at camp. I hope you are finding time to get outside and enjoy the beauty around you. What are some of your favorite changes in nature that the month of May brings?

05/05/2026

It was a beautiful evening despite the cold wind for hike #23 at Plum Creek Park in Walnut Grove MN. The trail provided opportunities for great conversation, connection and enjoyment of nature. We completed 3 miles, hiking both the Lake Laura Trail and Plum Creek Trail. This is a county park that has so much to offer. It’s worth a visit.
Our June hike will be another new location for our hiking club at another county park. Stay tuned for more details to be announced next month.

05/04/2026

These are some fun pictures shared by one of our SLM Hiking Club members from our April hike at Lac Qui Parle State Park near Watson MN. This is the largest recorded cottonwood tree in Minnesota. These pictures help give a little idea of how BIG this tree is.

We really have a great time hiking together as a club. It’s not to late if you are interested in joining us as a guest for hike #23 which will be happening tonight at Plum Creek Park in Walnut Grove MN at 6pm.

You can message here to RSVP if you are interested in joining us tonight.

04/27/2026

Our next SLM Hiking Club event is coming up on Monday, May 4th at Plum Creek Park in Walnut Grove, MN. This will be our 23rd hike together as a club! We really do have a great time together and would enjoy having you join us. Guests and new members are welcome!

The goal is to stay together as a group in order to provide and build community as we spend time in nature as we explore, discover and learn alongside each other. Please dress according to the weather for comfort and safety. A daypack is recommended with water bottle, snacks and whatever other items you may need. Any attending teens & children under 18 must have an accompanying adult.

Please RSVP by contacting Elizabeth at [email protected] or calling the office 507-763-3567. Guests are permitted (guests: those who are not yet registered for the program but accompany a registered member)- a guest is welcome to participate on two hikes free of charge. Guests must give their name and contact information upon meeting up for the hike and join as members for hikes after attending two hikes. New members will receive a trail journal in which you may record your observations, feelings, mileage and other notes.

Printed paperwork for membership application, policies and schedules will be available at each hike.

Annual Membership fees: $25/individual, $40/couple, or $60/family (Family: parents +any amount of children under 18, or three or more people living in the same household with the same shared mailing address).Checks or cash preferred, with checks made out to Shetek Lutheran Ministries with "SLM Hiking Club" in the memo.

If a hike must be cancelled it will be announced via Facebook (Shetek Environmental Learning Center), as well as through email and text if you are a registered member of the SLM Hiking Club.

Looking forward to seeing you on the trail!

04/14/2026

Sunday SLM Hike Club completed hike #22 at Lac Qui Parle State Park. We completed 3.25 miles together. It was a beautiful day but the warm wind on the prairie had us all enjoying the coolness of the wind off of the lake. This hiking location offered so much more to us than we were expecting!
This park has the largest recorded cottonwood tree in Minnesota, and it’s impressive! According to the MN DNR website the circumference: 394”, height: 106’, crown spread: 110’ for a total points*: 527.5
Total points*: = circumference in inches + height in feet + one-quarter of the crown spread in feet.

04/06/2026

Have you ever wanted to see the largest recorded cottonwood tree in Minnesota? Well now is your opportunity! Lace up your shoes and come join the SLM Hiking Club as we hit the trail for hike #22 at Lac Qui Parle State Park.

Sunday, April 12 at 2pm. Located at 14047 20th St NW, Watson, MN 56295. State park permit required. We will meet at the upper campground and hike that trail which is approximately 1.2 miles. Then we will drive across the river and complete the 1.6 mile Lac Qui Parle Hiking Club Trail with the opportunity for added side trails.

From the MN Department of Natural Resources website: "Flat and relatively easy trails wind past backwaters and offer exceptional birdwatching and wildlife observation opportunities. Trails often flood seasonally."

The goal is to stay together as a group in order to provide and build community as we spend time in nature as we explore, discover and learn alongside each other. Please dress according to the weather for comfort and safety. A daypack is recommended with water bottle, snacks and whatever other items you may need. As your hike facilitator I will have a first aid kit with me and cell phone. Any attending teens & children under 18 must have an accompanying adult.

Please RSVP by contacting Elizabeth at [email protected] or calling office 507-763-3567. Guests are permitted (guests: those who are not yet registered for the program but accompany a registered member)- a guest is welcome to participate on two hikes free of charge. Guests must give their name and contact information upon meeting up for the hike and join as members for hikes after attending two hikes. New members will receive a trail journal in which you may record your observations, feelings, mileage and other notes.

Printed paperwork for membership application, policies and schedules will be available at each hike. Annual Membership fees: $25/individual, $40/couple, or $60/family (Family: parents +any number of children under 18, or three or more people living in the same household with the same shared mailing address). Checks or cash preferred, with checks made out to Shetek Lutheran Ministries with "SLM Hiking Club" in the memo.

If a hike must be cancelled it will be announced via Facebook (Shetek Environmental Learning Center), as well as through email and text if you are a registered member of the SLM Hiking Club.

Looking forward to seeing you on the trail!

04/03/2026

Happy Easter! What a cute little nature craft!