The BLMA Environmental Education Program focuses on full-scale natural resource management, ecological research, public recreation, and education.

The target audience for the Formal Environmental Education student is primarily the high-school to post-secondary-aged student. While the BLMA is open to elementary to middle school student opportunities, we believe the region's other environmental education providers are adequately providing for their educational needs.

Public Programs

Seasonally held public programs, which cover a variety of informative, fun, and educational topics, are offered at the BLMA throughout the year.

All programs are open to the public without discrimination.   Some programs may require a fee; please call in advance to confirm. Interested persons may register for these programs by calling (218) 721-3731, or blake@mnpower.com If you prefer, we can also place you on our mailing list to provide you information as new programs become available.

All programs are held at the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center located approximately 25 miles north of Duluth. Minnesota on Highway 4 (see map for more detailed directions).

Interpretive Tours and Programs

The BLMA is endowed with many unique geological and biological features providing ample opportunity for environmental interpretation and ecological investigation. BLMA interpretive programs are currently under development to provide visitors with a greater understanding of the processes and interrelationship of our natural environment.

Self-Guided Tours

Self-guided interpretive materials are available for the western trail system (Timber Cruiser and Rolling Pin Trails). These include the Dynamic Environment© Interpretive Trail Companion Guide, which provides insight into the continuous changes our forests are undergoing, and the Boulder Bird Checklist, a listing of birds which may be seen in the BLMA and the research projects focused upon them. These interpretive materials are available either at the Rolling Pin Trailhead or Bear Paw/Blue Ox Trailhead or at the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center. (See map)

Guided Interpretive Tours & Programs

Guided interpretive tours and programs are available through Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center. We’ll tailor the program to fit your group’s needs, whether you want a leisurely stroll while searching out wildflowers, an intensive birding hike, or a program on wilderness first aid-just to name a few!

Tours and programs must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance. Learn more about what’s available and book your group by contacting Center staff at 218-721-3731 or blake@mnpower.com . These tours and programs may involve a fee; contact Center staff for more information.

If you are interested in volunteering as an environmental interpreter, please refer to our Volunteer Opportunities section.

Environmental Education Facilities

The BLMA offers two distinct types of specific environmental educational facilities for school groups and organized civic groups, such as scouting groups.

BLMA Environmental Learning Center

The BLMA Environmental Learning Center offers an indoor classroom and meeting room for up to comfortably accommodate thirty students. The center offers access to a science lab, bathroom facilities (disabled accessible), a grill, a large picnic table and fire ring.

Primitive Group Camps

Three Primitive Group Camps are for the exclusive overnight use of organized school and civic organizations who are performing outdoor-related activities for their students, in conjunction with a standard school or organization curriculum or program. The use of these sites is issued by MP permit, only. Minnesota Power is the sole determiner of the appropriate use of the Group Camps. When a Group Camp is not permitted for overnight use, the general public can use the sites for day-use, only. Non-permitted use will be subject to penalty. If you are interested in using a group camp for your next outing, contact us at (218) 721-3731, or blake@mnpower.com

The Group Camps look like a large version of a Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCA) campsite. The sites hold up to thirty people, and include tent pads, box latrine, picnic table and pedestal fire ring.

Osprey Group Camp and Moose Island Group (See map) are accessed by water-only, and require the groups to have access to boats or canoes. Osprey Group Camp is located in the most remote and wilderness-like section of the reservoir shoreline, and is located in a lagoon surrounded by rolling topography and large white and red pine trees. Moose Island Group Camp is located on level topography and is the site planned to be improved for accessibility.

Wolf Bay Group Camp is accessed by both water and by the Wolf Bay Trail. (See map) The Wolf Bay Trail is a three mile, very rugged, primitive trail, and begins from the Boulder Lake Reservoir Dam/Otter Run Trail Head. Plan on at least an hour of hiking, plenty of biting insects and slow-going along the trail.

Natural Resources Education Programs

• Our field locations include shorelines, streams, forest ponds, bogs, & forests.
• Themes include ecological observation & research, sustainable resource management, & decision-making.
• Topics include wildlife ID, habitat & populations, forest ecology & management, & aquatic ecology.
• We offer outreach programs, both classroom & outdoor.

The primary goal of Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center is to provide a "window" into natural resource management. We offer a variety of middle school through professional level field programs in addition to classroom and schoolground programs, public programs and workshops. These programs develop decision-making, observation, and critical thinking skills while instilling respect for our natural history and heritage.

If you have other ideas for programs, we will gladly work with to you to develop a specialized program. For further information, contact our staff at (218) 721-3731 or blake@mnpower.com.

Field Programs

These programs are designed to give students a hands-on experience in natural resources information collection and decision making.

Forest Birds

Forest Bird Biology and Ecology
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
This program explores the basic biology and ecology of ‘our’ forest birds. Students will learn identification techniques and discover what forest birds need to survive.

Forest and Bird Diversity
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Students will explore the amazing diversity of birds and learn why this diversity is important. Discovery of the connection between birds and their habitat will show the importance of forest management in maintaining suitable habitat.

Nest Predation
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length: 2 ½ to 3 hours
Nest predation, another animal eating or destroying eggs or young in a bird’s nest, is the primary factor limiting bird populations. Students will conduct an experiment to determine what factors affect nest predation and then make management recommendations based on their findings.

Bird Populations
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Natural resource managers need to determine the condition of bird populations in an area in order make proper management decisions. Students will learn how to conduct bird population research and then use the data collected to make management recommendations.

Aquatic Ecology

Aquatic Invertebrates
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Students will explore a forest pond, stream, or Boulder Lake Reservoir to find invertebrate life. The students will then determine the food web of their site and make management recommendations using their data.

Aquatic Macrophytes
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Plants are often the most obvious inhabitants of aquatic habitats. Using scientific sampling methods, students will determine what plants are present and their relative abundance. Students will then determine what habitat type they were sampling.

Water Quality
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Using basic physical and chemical water measurements, students will determine the "quality" of a water body. Students will also examine the factors that contribute to and determine water quality.

Winter Lake Ecology
Seasons: Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Students will examine the physical, biological, and chemical character of Boulder Lake Reservoir under the ice. Students will determine the factors that are controlling the character of Boulder Lake Reservoir at this time of year.

Forest Ecology & Management

Dynamic Forest
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Forests are continually changing—either at the hand of humans or the forces of nature. Using clues found in the forest, students will determine historical and current changes.

Forest Regeneration
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Which trees regenerate successfully determines the future character of the forest. In this activity, students will determine the factors determining regeneration. Students will then make management recommendations to achieve certain objectives.

Stand Structure and Composition
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Forest stands can be described by the tree composition and the physical structure. After determining structure and composition, students will make recommendations for the future management of the stand.

That’s a Pile of Wood
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Students will discover how much wood the average American uses annually. Using tree measuring equipment, they will then determine how many trees and how large of an area is required to be harvested each year to meet demands. Students will then discuss environmentally-friendly wood conservation strategies.

Forest Ecology & Management

Forest Soils
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Soils are the foundation of every forest. Students will examine the physical and chemical characteristics of forest soils utilizing a soil pit. Impacts of forest harvesting on soils will also be explored.

Timber Cruising
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Students will cruise a forest stand to determine the volume of wood present. Using this information, students will recommend future management.

Pine Management
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Students will examine two different pine stands—a pine plantation and a natural pine stand. Using a variety of measurements, the students will determine the difference between stands and make management recommendations based on these findings.

Wildlife

Timber!
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 1 to 2 hours
Students will examine the ecology of an intriguing forest inhabitant by touring a local beaver colony. By determining the impacts beavers have on their environment, students will be able to make management recommendations.

Browsers
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Browsing mammals, such as white-tailed deer and moose, can have a dramatic impact on forest vegetation. In this activity, students will examine the impact deer have on trees and shrubs. Students will then develop management recommendations based on their findings.

Predator Tracking
Seasons: Winter
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Northern Minnesota is home to many predators, from the tiny shrew to the powerful gray wolf. Students will cruise the trails around Boulder Lake Reservoir on snowshoes to determine the relative populations of predators in different areas.

Predator Surveys
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length: 2½ to 3 hours
Students will participate in research using a national sampling protocol to determine predator population trends. Some of our data is used by the Minnesota DNR in their monitoring of predator population trends across the state.

Additional Field Programs

We are continually adding to our curriculum in each of the above categories. We would also be happy to develop a program for your specific needs. If you have any ideas, give us a call at (218) 721-3731.

Outreach Programs

Indoor Programs
Have the naturalists at Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center bring the wonders of nature indoors! We would be happy to develop an indoor program for your students. Call us at (218) 721-3731 to schedule.

Outdoor Programs
If you have a suitable site, we can bring our field programs to your outdoor location. Give us a call at (218) 721-3731.

Natural Resources Education Programs
REGISTRATION & FEES

Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center charges $3 per participant for on-site and outreach programs*. But don't worry! Scholarships to cover partial or total program cost are available.

Call (218) 721-3731 to REGISTER!

*An extra charge will be added for programs or groups requiring additional Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center staffing.

Post-Secondary Programs

College and Teacher Training Programs under construction