By Lianna Matt

Nero stands about 30 inches tall, and he makes for a stern-looking figure in his black feathers. So do his compatriots, birds of prey such as falcons, owls, hawks and eagles. They all have the piercing eyes that raptors are known for, as well as the talons, the curved beaks and the wings that command the wind. These birds are fierce animals and a force to be reckoned with—especially if you see them hunting. Hopefully, with the help of events like The Raptor Center’s annual Fall Raptor Release, you might see raptors in the sky a little more.

Dr. Patrick Redig, The Raptor Center’s co-founder, releases a bald eagle. Photo by Amber Burnette.

The Raptor Center takes in more than 900 injured birds of prey each year to treat and rehabilitate them. While these birds are released back into the wild year-round, the annual free event is The Raptor Center’s way of saying thank you to the community that supports it.

On Sept. 23 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, The Raptor Center will be on hand with real birds for people to see up close, children’s activities and educational booths about the center and the raptors. Approximately six birds will be released into the park’s 700-plus acres of prairie, wooded bluffs and river. Beside the benefits to the birds, having the event at the nature center helps children understand the importance of habitat, according to Dr. Ponder, The Raptor Center’s executive director. “We always say we provide the animal connection and they provide the habitat connection,” she says.

As one of The Raptor Center’s educational birds, Nero will not be released, but he will be ready to mingle with visitors who can learn about his 6-foot wing span, his mile-long sense of smell, and why he and his turkey vulture family are bald. While The Raptor Center loves all of its birds, the volunteers and staff are always careful to explain the difference between the educational birds and the rehabilitated birds: Educational birds, even though they have been rehabilitated as much as possible, cannot be released because of a lifelong handicap that makes it impossible for them to survive successfully on their own. Nero, for instance, was bred in captivity for conservation research in Wisconsin and has imprinted on humans.

For birds that can be returned to the wild, The Raptor Center puts them through a structured and rigorous rehabilitation program to make sure they will have no difficulty re-assimilating.

“It’s developed through research, so it’s scientifically based,” says Dr. Ponder. “The simple answer is that it turns out that the (exercise) systems that work in race horses and marathon athletes is the same system that works in birds. Interval training, repetitive distances in different conditions, and so there’s a whole set of metrics that we use to make sure they’re ready to go back.”

Rehabilitation usually occurs near the center’s location on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus, and some days you might see volunteers or staff exercising the birds on long lines.

Staff member Gail Buhl with a peregrine falcon. Part of The Raptor Center’s mission is to teach people about birds of prey and the challenges they’re facing. Photo by Amber Burnette.

Although The Raptor Center functions as a full time veterinary and research facility, tours are offered Tuesday through Sunday, and on the weekend, you can attend the Raptors of Minnesota program. Other camps, classes and programs are offered throughout the year or on request, so if you can’t make it to the Fall Raptor Release, make sure to swing by The Raptor Center some other time. Better yet, come to both the release and the center; that way you can see the work behind the scenes and the amazing result.

“I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years, and (the release) still touches me every time. It’s the feeling of being able to make a difference,” says Dr. Ponder. As for those who haven’t had a hand in rehabilitating the bird, she says it’s still a rewarding experience. “We always ask people when we have a release, ‘How did that feel?’ Mostly they’re almost speechless; they struggle to put it in words.”

To get to The Fall Raptor Release and the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, you have to drive about 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis and St. Paul, but seeing the release, learning about these amazing creatures and meeting birds like Nero up close make the short jaunt well worth it.

By Lianna Matt

In her 23 years as a park naturalist, Kristine Hiller has been at Minnesota’s Jay Cooke State Park for 17 of them. As the state’s seventh largest park, more than 300,000 people visit it year-round with almost 35,000 making overnight camping trips. With the park’s location about 23 miles southwest of Duluth, it’s the perfect highlight for a weekend trip out of the cities or even a Duluth day trip.

If you have your doubts about the two hour drive up, the first impression you get of Jay Cooke will make them go away. Depending on your route, you’ll catch alluring glimpses of the St. Louis River from the road, but when you cross the swinging bridge near the entrance of the park, well … The view will take your breath away.

“You know, the first time I drove in—and I think to a lot of our first time visitors—it’s an unexpected place,” Hiller says. “The river, because of the rapids and the slanted rocks that look so rugged. … People don’t expect to see something like that in Minnesota. There is also lots of terrain, and we think of Minnesota as being a flat state.”

As the St. Louis swirls over hidden and unhidden rocks, its liquid glass surface wrinkles and flows in between a valley of flat, slanted slate and greywacke rocks that are all tilted toward the sky. While the rocks are not technically on the trail, when you’re near the swinging bridge, you’ll always find a few hikers making their way carefully among the flatter rocks to get closer to the water.

Here are some of Hiller’s insider tips from almost two decades at the 8,938-acre state park:

For Hiking:

“Everybody comes to the swinging bridge; that is our landmark feature,” says Hiller. “Either way that you go from the bridge—you can be on the north side or the south side across the river—and there’s at least 25 miles of trails to choose from on either side.”

For an easier trail, Hiller recommends the 1.8 miles along the CCC Trail. For about half of the hike, you follow the river and catch beautiful glimpses of it through the park’s foliage, and the rest of the path is underneath the forest canopy.

The Carlton Trail Trip is a favorite of visitors who want more of an intermediate to advanced hike. Beautiful views of the river, hills, roots, the occasional mud puddle and even some places where you may need to cling to a rock or to make this trail a true adventure through the park. The 5-mile trail branches out so hikers can take easier trails through a pioneer cemetery and shaded forest on the return route.

Horseback riding and mountain biking are also common ways to explore the park, and in the the winter, people often bring out the cross country skis, snow shoes and fat bikes.

For Wildlife:

Jay Cooke State Park has more than 45 animal species wandering around, including black bears, timber wolves and coyotes. If you’re walking the more populated trails in the summer, you probably won’t see any of these magnificent creatures, but you will see some adorable red squirrels and chipmunks. In general, diurnal animals tend to be more active in the morning or in the early evening when it’s cool out to avoid the summer heat.

Birding is best done in May through the first week of July. Hiller usually sends people up the paved Forbray Trail that’s connected to the main parking lot; there, she can pick out 25-30 different bird species—a lot of warblers, apparently—from just that one spot.

While some animals hibernate in the winter, there is still plenty of activity on the parkland, even if the blanket of snow muffles it. You’re more likely to run into foxes or bobcats on the trail, says Hiller, because they, like you, want the path of least resistance, and the flat, groomed paths seem easier than traipsing through the snow. You can also see the otters.

In the summer, otters have full run of the river, slipping in and out of it as they please. When the winter hits, though, parts of the river freezes up, creating specific pockets of rushing open water that limits the otters’ normal freedom. “A lot of time just before the bridge, we’ll see their tracks and we’ll see them sliding down the rocks,” Hiller says.

For Wildflowers:

Springtime is the best for wildflowers, and Hiller would send you straight to the West Ridge Trail. After an initial hill, the 1.8-mile trail is easy walking, and in the spring, naturalists frequently lead guided wildflower walks along it. Wildflowers are one of Hiller’s favorite parts about nature, and she loves the variety that Jay Cooke has. Although she can’t single out just one species, she does love spotting the first hepatica for the season—seeing the small plant poke its lobed leaves and miniature lavender, pink and white flowers always means that winter is ending.

For New Experiences:

Jay Cooke State Park’s naturalists offer programming year round for all ages and groups. Simply visit their online calendar for the most up to date information on events like geocaching how-to’s, guided walks, fishing excursions and interactive teachings about animals, astronomy and more. They’re great ways to learn more about the outdoors, and with the naturalists’ knowledge, you’ll find new things to discover at Jay Cooke each and every time.

To be fair to Mother Nature, even without the naturalists’ healthy list of events, repeat visitors always love going to Jay Cooke. The park is eternally changing and showing new parts of itself, and this fall people will be able to see all of it once again.

Since 2012, half of the roads in the park have been more difficult to reach because of flooding damage. In October, the road is opening up again, and Hiller couldn’t be more excited. “It’s what I like about the park—if you visit one side, it looks one way. If you visit the other side, it’s a very different look just because of how big the park is.”

By Lianna Matt

Sometimes it takes the beauty of a place like Nerstrand Big Woods State Park to make you stop and wonder what Minnesota looked like 500 or even 100 years ago. As you hike along, you’re in constant, emerald shade as the trees stretch into dappled canopies above you. Ferns and underbrush cover the ground, only breaking for the gravel-lined hiking path and the creek that leads to a hidden waterfall. Children and adults alike walk on the waterfall’s flat top, looking out to the forest as the water flows smoothly across the stone into a gentle curtain and down to a basin where more families play.

Nerstrand State Park is located just under an hour south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the perfect distance for a day trip or a weekend camping excursion. The park has open picnic and camping grounds, and the nearby city of Northfield can rescue any first-time and forgetful campers.

While less known around the metro than parks such as Minnehaha Regional Park or Taylors Falls, this gem is one of the last remnants of a forest that grew tall amid the oak and savanna prairies. Nestled within the park’s 2,884 acres are more than 200 varieties of wildflowers, including the endangered dwarf trout lily, that bloom in the spring underneath sugar maples, basswood, oak, elm, ironwood, ash, hickory and aspen trees. With such a protected and secluded area, a variety of birds including seven species of woodpeckers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, indigo buntings and meadowlarks can be seen flitting around, and raccoon, fox and deer are some of the forest residents.

The paths are designed in easy-to-plan loops, and a clearly labeled map is at every crossroad, making hiking or biking easily navigable. In the winter, when snow covers up the gravel and weaves in and out of the tree trunks, most of the summer paths are open for snowmobiling and cross country skiing, too.

by Kyle Smelter

They may not be the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum or Machu Picchu, but Minneapolis and St. Paul are great in their own right, so we came up with a list of the Seven Wonders of the Twin Cities. Out of all the exciting and inspiring attractions found throughout the metro, we have narrowed it down to these seven must- see and do’s that set the Twin Cities apart from other top towns across the nation.

Image by Hafiz Issadeen/flickr

Minnehaha Falls

Located just minutes from downtown Minneapolis is one of the Twin Cities most beautiful green spaces—Minnehaha Regional Park. And the centerpiece of it all is the iconic 53-foot waterfall. Each year this majestic tower of water draws more than 850,000 visitors as they watch the water tumble over the limestone bluffs and crash into the stream below. Take in the views from above on the bridge over the falls, or below on walking paths that follow the stream as it twists and turns through a forested area for almost a half-mile before joining the mighty Mississippi River.

Image by Richard Roche/flickr

Skyway System

While a skyway on its own is not really a wonder—just a fancy way of connecting two buildings above street level—an entirely connected downtown with more than nine miles of skyways in Minneapolis is a true marvel to behold. Not to mention, this climate-controlled environment is the world’s largest continuous system of pedestrian bridges in the world, making it one of the more unique Seven Wonders of the Twin Cities. This comes in especially handy during the famous subzero Minnesota winters. Visitors can leave their hotel in the morning, shop and dine at hundreds of boutiques, stores and restaurants, all without ever setting a foot outside.

Image by Jerry Huddleston/flickr

Minnesota State Fair

Although the Minnesota State Fair is not technically a state holiday, it should be. This week-and-a-half long event covers 320 acres and attracts more than 1.8 million people annually (the largest state fair in the U.S. by average daily attendance) during the waning weeks of summer. “The Great Minnesota Get-Together” features nearly 500 foods, including deep-fried candy bars, hot dish and more than 80 foods on-a-stick. Over 900 performances from more than 100 acts can also seen and heard at the numerous venues found throughout the fairgrounds. And this is just scratching the surface. We have not even mentioned the livestock barns, rodeo shows, carnival games and rides, shopping options and contests. It is not surprising that when you type the word “Minnesota” into Google’s search bar, the State Fair is the first recommended option, further cementing it as one of the Seven Wonders of the Twin Cities.

Stone Arch Bridge

Consisting of 23 arches and measuring 2,100 feet long, the granite and limestone Stone Arch Bridge is the only bridge of its kind that stretches over the Mississippi River. What was once a railroad bridge in Minneapolis’ milling heyday has transformed into a hotspot for walking, running and spending time with friends and family during the summer. Every June it plays host to the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, a weekend of art and music featuring more than 250 musicians and artists, and it serves as an extremely popular front row seat for a fireworks spectacular during our nation’s birthday.

Basilica of Saint Mary

You would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful architectural marvel than the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. The beaux arts-styled wonder began construction in 1907, but did not finish until 1926, the same year Pope Pius Xl named the church the first Basilica in the U.S.—one of only 69 in the country today. An Italian-crafted marble altar and carved shrines of Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, the Apostles are just a few of the iconic features that can be found on the Basilica’s grounds. Every summer hordes of music fans line its steps and rock out to some of the hottest bands at the Basilica Block Party.

Image by Above the Falls Sports

Mississippi River

The longest river in the country begins as a tiny stream small enough to walk across at Itasca State Park in northern Minnesota before carving its way through the heart of the United States and ending at the Gulf of Mexico. Even though it does not play as big of a role as it once did during the Twin Cities’ milling empire, the river that separates the two cities continues to be an important lifeline of the metro for business and recreation alike. Paddle junkie’s can get their fix traversing the steady current either alone or during a guided tour, cruises are offered to those who want to relax and take in the breathtaking panoramic views, and commercial boats continue to make deliveries using the river’s system of locks and dams.

Chain of Lakes/Trail System

It would not be right to talk about the Seven Wonders of the Twin Cities without mentioning their award-winning parks and trails. Ranked No. 1 for city parks in the country by Trust for Land’s annual Parkscore index, the Twin Cities’ sprawling metropolis is covered with 50-plus parks and reserves and 340 miles of trails like a giant green blanket. The proverbial cherry on top is the chain of lakes: Brownie, Cedar, Lake of the Isles, Calhoun and Harriet. Combined, these five lakes and parks give residents and visitors of the metro the up-north-at-the-cabin feel without leaving the city limits.

Honorable Mentions

Mall of America
First Ave
Spoonbridge and Cherry
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Over 14,000 acres of outdoor playground await you in Bloomington, a southwest suburb of Minneapolis. Enjoy navigating hiking and biking trails, and launch a canoe or kayak onto the river. The park is also a great spot for wintertime outdoor activities like cross-country skiing and snow shoeing (you can pick up a complimentary pair of snowshoes at the park’s visitor center). And don’t forget the myriad forms of wildlife you will get to witness: bald eagles, blue herons, deer and more.