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Saint John’s Outdoor University

Posted: September 11, 2019 by MAEE Administration

Category: Saint John's Outdoor University (formerly Saint John's Arboretum)

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Saint John’s Outdoor University
Post Date: September 11, 2019
Resource Type:
  • Organization
  • Website
  • Field Trip | Program
Description:

Saint John's Outdoor University (the program) provides outdoor and environmental education through classes, events, and initiatives with the Abbey Arboretum, Saint John's University, and the College of Saint Benedict. Saint John's Abbey Arboretum (the place) is more than 2,500 acres of lakes, prairie, oak savanna, and forest owned by Saint John's Abbey and surrounding Saint John's University. The shared vision of Saint John's Outdoor University and the Abbey Arboretum is to celebrate the unique beauty and richness of God's creation in central Minnesota and foster the Benedictine tradition of land stewardship, education, and environmental respect.

The Program
Saint John's Outdoor University is a private, non-profit, and member-supported organization that provides a wide array of environmental education and outdoor recreation experiences for people of all ages. Outdoor environmental education classes are available for public, private and home schools grades preK-12, families, community groups, adults, service groups, and other interested individuals. Opportunities for community members during the year include Maple Syrup Festivals, summer prairie wildflower walks, moonlight snowshoes, plant sale, and groomed cross country ski trails. Students, staff, and faculty at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are able to take advantage of leadership training, wilderness trips, environmental education, and outdoor recreational events.

Saint John's Outdoor University Mission

Saint John's Outdoor University provides environmental and outdoor education in pursuit of:

  • Environmental literacy and connections to the natural world that motivate responsible environmental decisions;
  • Leadership development and personal growth through experiential learning;
  • Sustainable land use and conservation
  • Learning, recreation, and spiritual renewal in the Abbey Arboretum and other great outdoor spaces.
  • The Place
    Saint John's Abbey Arboretum is a natural arboretum, dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Central Minnesota's native and increasingly rare habitats. Uniquely located on the terminal moraines of the last glacial age, Saint John's 2500 acres abounds with a diversity of ecosystems. These include prairie, oak savanna, wetlands, and hardwood forest. Over the last few decades, the Abbey Arboretum has undertaken the extensive Habitat Restoration Project (HRP) working to restore 60 acres of wetlands, 50 acres of prairie, and 40 acres of oak savanna.

    Over 20 miles of trails await exploration, including a beautiful 1.5 mile loop trail that winds through 6 foot tall prairie grasses, across the wetlands on a 900 foot floating boardwalk, the dappled shade of the oak savanna and northern hardwoods. With such diverse conditions, the variety of plants and wildlife make this area a treat to visit through all the seasons.

    For more information contact:
    Saint John's Outdoor University
    Saint John's University
    New Science 104
    2346 Science Drive
    Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-3000
    Phone: 320-363-3163
    Fax: 320-363-3202
    Web: www.csbsju.edu/OutdoorU
    Email: OutdoorU@csbsju.edu

    Author: Saint John's Outdoor University
    Topic:
    • Conservation
    • Ecosystems
    Audience:
    • Grades PreK-12
    • Formal Educator
    • Public
    Length in pages or time:
    Fee?: 0
    Library Loan?:
    Is Training required?:
    Seasonal?:
    Language other than English:
    Order information or contact: Saint John's Outdoor University Saint John's University 2346 Science Drive New Science 104 Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-3000 320-363-3163 Fax: 320-363-3202 OutdoorU@csbsju.edu
    Link: http://www.csbsju.edu/OutdoorU
    MAEE Partner Saint John's Outdoor University (formerly Saint John's Arboretum)
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