{"id":2255,"date":"2022-10-01T12:00:09","date_gmt":"2022-10-01T17:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainabledriftlessmag.com\/sdmunicdn\/?p=2255"},"modified":"2025-07-31T12:03:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T17:03:07","slug":"exploring-the-driftless-region-with-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainabledriftlessmag.com\/sdmunicdn\/exploring-the-driftless-region-with-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the Driftless Region with Youth\ufffc"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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The following provide a wealth of resources for use by educators desiring to enrich learning about the Driftless Region through hands-on or place-based learning. School field trips may no longer be an option due to funding and recent pandemic challenges but parents may seek to visit nature centers and refugees with their children. Educators might also call these centers to see if they do any virtual programming using Zoom or other video field trip technologies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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Minnesota<\/b><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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1) Eagle Bluff Environmental Center<\/b>https:\/\/eaglebluffmn.org\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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\"\"(507) 467-2437<\/span>
<\/span>28097 Goodview Drive<\/span>
<\/span>Lanesboro, MN 55949<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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Year-round environmental learning center <\/span>located in rural southeastern Minnesota, just a few miles from the small historic town of Lanesboro in Fillmore County, the heart of the Minnesota Driftless Region. The campus is a two-hour drive from the Twin Cities, 45 minutes from Rochester, 45 minutes from Winona, and one hour from La Crosse, WI. Find out what makes this center so extraordinary for school and overnight trips, summer and family camps, team building, adult learning and continuing education, environmental education fellowship, and public hiking and recreation. <\/span>https:\/\/eaglebluffmn.org\/resources\/driftless\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

The K-12 Residential Outdoor School Program is based on the belief that students learn best when they<\/span> engage directly with nature, learn through discussions, think like a scientist, and follow the learning cycle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Lodging accommodations are available for overnight Outdoor School with 31 rooms accommodating up to eight people. See <\/span>https:\/\/eaglebluffmn.org\/campus\/lodging\/<\/span><\/a> for more detailed information.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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2) Niagara Cave <\/b>https:\/\/www.niagaracave.com\/<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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\"\"29842 County Hwy. 30\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Harmony, MN 55939<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Tel: 507-886-6606<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Email: niagaracave@gmail.com<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>Located near Harmony, MN was discovered in 1924 and is one of two publicly accessible limestone caves in Minnesota. Explore Minnesota\u2019s karst topography found in the limestone formations of this part of the Driftless Region. <\/span>Karst topography<\/span><\/i> features include <\/span>sinkholes, springs, disappearing streams, bluffs, and limestone cave systems. One hour mile long tours of the cave can be arranged by calling Niagara Cave. Education rates are available for school groups.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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3) <\/span>Mississippi River Visitor Center – <\/b>https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/miss\/planyourvisit\/mrvcabou.htm<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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\"\"120 Kellogg Blvd West<\/span>
<\/span>St. Paul, MN 55102<\/span>
<\/span>Phone: <\/span>651-293-0200<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Upper Mississippi River and related tributaries and watersheds are an essential part of the Driftless Region defining the landscape and its river erosion and deposition features. Visit the <\/span>Mississippi River Visitor Center<\/i><\/b> to see <\/span>videos about the Mississippi National River and recreation and other parks within the National Park system, interactive exhibits, reading nook, and\u00a0<\/span>Junior Ranger<\/span> program. Exhibits explain Mississippi River culture, biology, and history. <\/span>
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<\/span>A Hamline University Center for Global Environmental Education online program for grades 3-5<\/span>, Big River Journey Online<\/i><\/b>, is available via <\/span>https:\/\/bigriverjourneyonline.org\/<\/span><\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 Explore the mysteries of the Mississippi River through the education resources, videos, and activities and engage in a virtual trip on the Mississippi River. <\/span>
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<\/span>An extension scavenger hunt guided exploration activity is available as well called <\/span>Waters to the Sea Mississippi River Adventu<\/i><\/b>re <\/span>https:\/\/waterstothesea.org\/mississippi\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 Learning modules include the water cycle, watersheds, water quality and ecosystems.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 A wonderful <\/span>matrix<\/b> of standards aligned resources (lesson plans, YouTube playlists, panorama images, and\u00a0 interactives) for grades 5-8 found via <\/span>https:\/\/waterstothesea.org\/mississippi\/<\/span><\/a>. Be sure to view the Educator Resources tab at the top of the page.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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4) <\/span>Visit the Scenic Overlooks<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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Students love to get outside and experience the Driftless Region through hikes and hands-on learning. The <\/span>Great River Road Overlooks<\/span><\/i> provide opportunities for exploration, ecology, and wildlife viewing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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