westwood nature center:
8300 west franklin avenue, st. louis park
basic information
Hours: The interpretive center is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 12-5 p.m. Trails are open from sunrise to sunset daily.
Serves: Anyone. Programming is mainly targeted toward families.
Services provided: Nature programs about the environment and wild animals happen year-round. In the summer, the picnic shelter, overlook deck, and water garden area are available to rent. Canoes and fishing poles are also available. In the winter, snowshoes and kicksleds can be rented for use on the nature center's trails.
Volunteer opportunities: Teens in grades 7-12 can volunteer as Junior Naturalists after they fill out an application. Volunteers work with children at the summer camp or during programming.
Serves: Anyone. Programming is mainly targeted toward families.
Services provided: Nature programs about the environment and wild animals happen year-round. In the summer, the picnic shelter, overlook deck, and water garden area are available to rent. Canoes and fishing poles are also available. In the winter, snowshoes and kicksleds can be rented for use on the nature center's trails.
Volunteer opportunities: Teens in grades 7-12 can volunteer as Junior Naturalists after they fill out an application. Volunteers work with children at the summer camp or during programming.
q&a with interpretive naturalist becky mcconnell
How do you make the nature center a good place for youth?
As a staff, we intentionally strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment in a fun and engaging manner. We believe it is important for us to be supportive mentors and role models and to provide youth the opportunity to learn, grow and give back to their community.
What would you like kids to know about the nature center?
Westwood Hills Nature Center is also a unique, outdoor, multi-generational classroom with naturalists who lead a wide variety of fun, informative and hands-on environmental education and outdoor recreation programs to increase visitors' understanding and appreciation of our natural world. Whether you come to venture into the woods, spark your imagination, learn more about nature or take time to rejuvenate, there’s something for everyone at Westwood Hills Nature Center.
As a staff, we intentionally strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment in a fun and engaging manner. We believe it is important for us to be supportive mentors and role models and to provide youth the opportunity to learn, grow and give back to their community.
What would you like kids to know about the nature center?
Westwood Hills Nature Center is also a unique, outdoor, multi-generational classroom with naturalists who lead a wide variety of fun, informative and hands-on environmental education and outdoor recreation programs to increase visitors' understanding and appreciation of our natural world. Whether you come to venture into the woods, spark your imagination, learn more about nature or take time to rejuvenate, there’s something for everyone at Westwood Hills Nature Center.
