Elementary Programs
We work with you to tailor events to your needs. If you are looking for a topic not listed here, we will do our best to find a speaker to address your area of interest!

Africa and the Gorillas (Grades K-6)
Trek to the African country of Uganda for a first hand look at the endangered Mountain Back Gorilla. Through live video footage,
traditional mask theatrics, slides and maps, experienced traveler and friend of the Mountain Backs will take students on a guided educational tour.
And Then There Were Bugs (Grades K-6)
This program will transform even an adamant bug-hater into a budding entomologist. Students handle mayflies, caddis flies, and other insects as they sort, classify, and learn about the wonders of stream ecology and how to protect fragile waterways.
Class Program Only
Animals Have Class (Grades K-6)
What’s the difference between a reptile and an amphibian? What makes a mammal a mammal or an invertebrate an invertebrate? In this
interactive live animal program, students
discover and compare the variety of classes that make up the animal kingdom and meet a friend from each! The option to focus on a single class of animals is also available.
Class Program Only
Art in the Environment (Grades 4-6)
The natural world holds unlimited artistic opportunities! Students unlock the artist within as they learn about and create landscape and wildlife art using a wide variety of found and natural materials.
Class Program Only
Backyard Critters (Grades K-6)
Explore the wonders of backyard ecology and find out who is hiding right under your nose! In this live animal program, students learn tips for observing local wildlife and creating healthy habitats for both common and not-so-common creatures.
Buffalo Skulls and Beaver Tails (Grades K-8)
Learn about how the buffalo and beaver were two powerful players in the history of Minnesota through slides and stories. Through slides, stories, and a hands-on exploration of skulls, bones, and pelts from a variety of Minnesota animals, this program teaches history of the beaver, buffalo and the diverse landscape of our great state.
Environmental Storytelling (Grades 3-6)
Hear stories about travelling worms, sing along to music made from old faucets and watch as items that would normally be thrown out are transformed into useable and fun props! These stories teach about recycling, gardening, composting and other environmental concepts.
Kid Power (Grades K-6)
This lively and interactive program uses original music, personal stories, and a box full of props to empower students and to help them explore themes related to the power of kindness, the value of respect, our connection to the earth and its creatures, and our ability to make a positive difference in the world.
Move Like the Animals (Grades K-4)
Can you hop like a rabbit, slither like a snake or jump like a frog? In this live animal program, students observe a variety of
animals to see how movement helps them to catch their food, escape from predators, and live healthy lives in their environment.
Class Program Only
Nature Photography (Grades 5-6)
Working with an experienced photographer, students discover some of the exciting techniques for nature photography. View slides and go into the field to practice observing nature. Become acquainted with photo equipment, woodland attire, and methods for taking photographs in the wild. Camera equipment is not essential.
Class Program Only
Prairies (Grades K-6)
Meet the interesting species that call the prairie home and get acquainted with foliage native to prairie lands. What are all those prairie "weeds" and why do we need them? Learn about the distinction between grasslands and prairies and explore Minnesota prairies past and present.
Raptors (Grades 2-6)
A visit from these very special animals keeps students at the edge of their seats. In this majestic live animal program, students learn to tell the difference between an owl and a hawk and find out just what makes a raptor a raptor. This is a program sure to educate and inspire.
Reptile and Amphibians (Grades k-4)
Touch a live reptile, amphibian, and mammal to learn about different body coverings for various classes of animals and why they look and feel the way they do. Discover how body covering helps protect animals from danger and what special features enable an animal to live in its habitat.
Class Program Only
Survival Strategies (Grades 2-6)
Get up close and personal with a hibernator, a migrator, and a "stay-putter" as you discover some of the special adaptations animals have that help them to catch food, escape from predators and stay safe, healthy and warm when the winter comes.
Class Program Only
Tropical Rainforests (Grades K-6)
What is a rainforest and what are the creatures that call it home? Why are these vital ecosystems disappearing and how can we help slow the destruction? In this program, students learn about these ecologically rich regions by meeting live creatures and discovering how even Minnesotans are connected to these canopied landscapes.

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Secondary Programs - Energy and Sustainability
Our interdisciplinary programs provide expertise from experienced environmental educators. The programs are flexible, and we can work with you to tailor a program to your needs. The length of the programs can be varied from between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. And our presenters can accommodate classrooms or assemblies for grades 7-12.

Natural Steps to Sustainability
Terry Gips is a widely published ecologist, agricultural economist, sustainability business consultant, Adjunct Professor at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, independent Natural Step Framework (NSF) instructor and speaker with more than 30 years experience in global environmental leadership, policy, sustainable development, business management and consulting.

Terry’s presentation explores an approach to sustainability called the Natural Step Framework (NSF), which is being used by numerous municipalities, government agencies, nonprofits, schools, religious institutions, architectural firms, hospitals, cooperatives and businesses such as Interface, Starbucks, Nike, Home Depot, Electrolux, IKEA and McDonalds to save money, improve performance and become more environmentally and socially responsible.

This session will present an introduction to sustainability and the NSF and illustrate how it can benefit you at home, at work and in the community. It outlines several simple, practical steps which can be taken to save money, time and the environment while protecting the health and well-being of yourself and future generations. Students will gain a positive, new perspective and see how they can create a sustainable future.

Making It Cool
As a Global Marketing Director at Aveda, Gigi Abbadie has redefined Aveda's Earth Day fundraising efforts and created a unified global Earth Month program. Each year, the proceeds benefit various environmental groups focused on issues including, saving ancient forests, slowing global warming and protecting endangered species.

In January of 2007, Gigi attended a training lead by Al Gore which prepared her to deliver the Inconvenient Truth PowerPoint presentation. Gigi loves speaking to students of all ages about what they can do to stop global warming, and has the personal mission of making caring about the environment cool.

Gigi's presentation, Making it Cool: The Unofficial Top 10 Things You Can Do to Stop Global Warming, shows students how doing their part to fight global warming can be easy, and even fun. For example, she illustrates how activities like going to the movies and shopping can actually help fight global warming. This interactive session discusses 10 cool solutions that students of all ages can put into action immediately. Gigi also has materials for other global-warming related topics.

Transportation Choices
Dave Van Hattum is Policy and Advocacy Program Manager at Transit for Livable Communities (TLC), a St. Paul-based, non-profit advocacy organization. Dave oversees TLC's lobbying for more transit funding at the state legislature and through outreach with metropolitan county and local officials. Dave also leads research on key transit issues, including the environmental benefits of greater transit use, and improved performance measures for the regional transportation system (i.e. roads, transit, bicycle, pedestrian travel, and supportive land uses).

This program focuses on transportation issues in the Twin Cities metro area. It examines issues such as urban planning and sprawl, emissions, pollution and equity in order to gain a better understanding of how our transportation choices affect the natural environment. Students explore alternative modes of travel and their impact.

The More the Merrier
David Paxson is a national leader on the issue of population growth and stabilization. He has participated at international meetings - including the United Nations Population Conference in Egypt - and he has spoken to groups across the United States. David graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Economics and a concentration in Environmental Education and Policy. He worked at the Center for Population Studies at the University of Minnesota. And in 1991, he founded the non-profit organization, World Population Balance.

In his presentation, David addresses the reasons for rapid population growth and its impacts on the environment. He presents a balanced approach to population growth issues through discussion, visuals and video. David hopes that as people learn about the unsustainable impact of population growth upon declining global resources and rising poverty, they will take fair and humane action to stabilize and then reduce population in order to maintain a viable planet for all children of the future.

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