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Hardwood Hills Conference
Saturday, Jan 25, 2025
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(formerly the Avon Hills Conference)
Saint John’s University
Peter Engel Science Center
Keynote Presentations
The Power of Conservation Easements, Kris Larson
Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) CEO Kris Larson has worked as a professional conservationist for nearly 30 years. During his 22-year tenure with MLT he’s helped promote the work of land trusts to permanently protect and promote natural system resiliency. Kris will highlight conservation easement success stories, how the easements work, and the availability of new funding for landowners in the Hardwood Hills region of Minnesota.
The Route Less Paddled,
Zach Fritz
During the summer of 2024, Zach Fritz and Taylor Rau spent 106 days paddling 4,400 kilometers from Minnesota to the Arctic Ocean, traveling through some of the most remote places left in North America and experiencing some of the best paddling, wildlife, and adventure possible in a single trip. With photos and videos, experience the gripping story about the trip, what it means to chase your dreams, and what it takes to paddle across Canada.
Special Guests: Snake Discovery Zoo
A meet and greet with a variety of live animals from Snake Discovery in Maplewood, MN.
Exhibit Hall, 10:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
Conference Schedule
No kid sessions at this year’s conference.
8:00-9:00 a.m. Registration & Check In, Exhibit Hall Opens
9:00-10:00 a.m. Keynote: Kris Larson
10:00-10:30 a.m. Break/Exhibit Hall
10:30-11:15 a.m. Keynote: Zach Fritz
11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30-1:15 p.m. Breakout Session I
1:15-1:45 p.m. Break/Exhibit Hall
1:45-3:45 p.m. Breakout Session II
Registration Fees – sign up by Monday, Jan 20
$35 – Members (see list of organizations below)
$45 – Nonmembers
$15 – Students
No kid sessions at this year’s conference
Fees include: keynotes, all presentations and materials, exhibit hall access, lunch, and refreshments.
Discount for Members of: Outdoor U, MN Forestry Association, MN Women’s Woodland Network, MN State Horticultural Society
Breakout Session I Options
indoor classroom presentations – 12:30-1:15 p.m.
(A) Stewarding a Climate-Ready Woodland
Want to be proactive about climate change in your woodland? Learn about Extension’s new climate-ready woodland resources to enable climate-resilient trees and other plants that benefit wildlife. Anna Stockstad, University of MN Extension.
(B) What Is Wrong With My Oaks?
Many landowners are concerned about the health of their mature oaks. Learn the characteristics of common oak insects and diseases and the best practices for maintaining oak health. August Kramer, MN Department of Natural Resources.
(C) Get To Know Your Spring Woodland Wildflowers
Hone your identification skills for common spring woodland wildflowers in preparation for scouting your woodlands this spring. Jenny Hengel, Saint John’s Outdoor University.
(D) Ask a Land Management Consultant
From forest stewardship plans to timber sales, wildlife habitat, forest regeneration, and more – ask a local land management consultant your stewardship questions in this Q&A-designed session. Nate Hylla, Kanati Land Management.
(E) Collegeville and the Abbey Arboretum: A History
With images and stories from 150+ years of archives, get a historical overview of this special place. Eric Pohlman, OSB, Saint John’s Abbey.
Breakout Session II Options
tours with indoor and outdoor components – 1:45-3:45 p.m.
(A) From Logs to Lumber
See the process of transforming logs to lumber to a finished product. An outdoor demonstration of a portable sawmill will be followed by a tour of Saint John’s Abbey Woodworking & Organ Builders operations. Shuttle provided. Lew Grobe, OSB and Jeff Thompson, Saint John’s Abbey.
(B) Introduction to Maple Syruping
Understand the basics of making maple syrup. Begin with identifying maple trees and learn how to tap and collect sap outdoors. Spend time in the sugar shack to learn about cooking and finishing your maple syrup. Shuttle provided. Con Brady and Elly Backes, Saint John’s Abbey Land Management.
(C) Winter Animal Tracking
Start indoors to learn some beginner animal tracks and signs. Head outdoors to explore the woods around the science center to find and identify tracks and signs around you. Jenny Hengel, Saint John’s Outdoor University.
(D) Winter Tree Identification
Learn tips and tricks to identify native Minnesota trees in winter. Spend the first hour indoors looking at examples of tree species, then spend the second hour outdoors to test your skills in the nearby woods. John Geissler, Saint John’s Outdoor University.
(E) Introduction to Lichens
Start indoors to gain an understanding of what lichens are and how to find them. Head outdoors to identify lichens growing in the woods around you. Tanner Barnharst.
Exhibit Hall, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
- Zach Fritz – The Route Less Paddled (keynote speaker)
- MN Land Trust (keynote speaker)
- Snake Discovery Zoo
- University of MN Extension
- Kanati Land Management
- Avon Hills Folk School
- CSB+SJU Sustainability
- Central MN Audubon Society
- more to come!
