Interested in learning more about Minnesota's natural world? Join us each month for a lecture and discussion on a variety of natural history topics. All ages are welcome to all of our lectures, however we have designated some lectures as kid-friendly when the topics and presentation styles are more suitable for kids.

About the Series

When

• 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted
• Monthly, September - November and February - April

Where

• Meet at the Pendulum in the New Science Center at Saint John's, unless otherwise noted 

Cost

• Free - OutdoorU Members
• Free - Students of all ages
• Free - Teachers who currently bring students on field trips
• $5 - Nonmembers/Nonstudents

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Lecture Schedule:

The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh
Thursday, October 13 | 7:00 p.m.

Part travelogue, biography, and natural history, the book and talk weave history with humor as Kathryn presents this visually-rich and nostalgic story of the Hundred Acre Wood, a real place in East Sussex, England called Ashdown Forest. 

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Have an idea for a topic or speaker we should pursue? Tell us!

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Previous Lecture Topics:

Geography of Old Growth Forests
Kyle Rauch, Outdoor U

Historic Naturalists in Collegeville
MJ Bach, Outdoor U

17th Annual Owl Hoot
Sarah Gainey, Outdoor U

Photo-a-Day: Two Years with a Naturalist
Joe Walewski, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center

Soils in a Changing Climate
Joe Storlien, CSB/SJU Environmental Studies

Nature, Culture, and Two Friends Talking 
Ecologist Kim Chapman and Poet Jim Armstrong       

Jumpstarting Life:  Applying Hibernation Strategies to Emergency Rooms and Long-distance Space Travel 
Clark Cotton, CSB/SJU Biology

Shoreline Restoration 
Greg Berg, Stearns Co. Soil & Water Conservation District                                                          

16th Annual Owl Hoot
Sarah Gainey, Outdoor U

The Biology of Resurrection
Stephen Saupe, CSB/SJU Biology

Swanning Around Saint John's
Marcus Webster, CSB/SJU Biology

15th Annual Owl Hoot
Marco Restani, St. Cloud State University Biology

Night Gliders: Nocturnal Denizens of the Abbey Arboretum
Kristina Timmerman, CSB/SJU Biology

The Science & Psychology of Survival
Tom Kroll, Saint John's Outdoor U

MN Lakes: Past, Present, and Future
Bill Lamberts, CSB/SJU Biology

14th Annual Owl Hoot
Marco Restani, St. Cloud State University Biology

The Future of Food
Diane Veale-Jones, CSB/SJU Environmental Studies

Stargazing at Saint John's
Mike Lynch, WCCO Meteorologist

Climbing the Grand Staircase: A Journey Through 1.2 Billion Years of Earth's History
Larry Davis, CSB/SJU Geology

Another Look at Genetically Modified Foods
Dr. Jean Lavigne, CSB/SJU Environmental Studies

13th Annual Owl Hoot
Marco Restani, SCSU Professor of Biology

Our Place in the Universe
John O'Reilly, Saint John's Outdoor University

Tree Rings and the Tales They Tell
Troy Knight, CSB/SJU Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies

Seeing Through the Lens: Photography in the Great Outdoors
Ken Bachofer, Nature Photographer, MN Master Naturalist Volunteer

Worm Watch: Invasive Earthworms
Ryan Hueffmeier, Great Lakes Worm Watch, University of Minnesota Duluth

The Botany of Harry Potter
Steve Saupe, CSB/SJU Professor of Biology

Loons at Saint John's
Carol Jansky, CSB/SJU Biology Lab Coordinator
Read more about Saint John's Loons.