Dodge Nature Center
- Primary Cause
- Environment
- Secondary Cause
- Education
Mission: Providing exceptional experiences in nature through environmental education.
The Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center is an environmental education organization in Minnesota with 4 metro nature destinations located in West St. Paul, Cottage Grove and Mendota Heights. Founded in 1967 by Olivia Irvine Dodge, the organization was one of the first nature centers in the state of Minnesota. Dodge Nature Center and Preschool are recognized nationally in the field of environmental education.
Dodge has 460+ acres of prairies, hardwood forest, lakes, wetland, miles of open hiking trails, a working farm, orchard, bee apiary, and a variety of animals to discover. Over 59,000 nature experiences are offered annually: day visits, events, programs for all ages, camps, onsite preschool, school outreach, field trips and more. Dodge encourages the Twin Cities to Nourish Your Need For Nature™.
Dodge Nature Center
Dodge Nature Preschool brings the natural world into the lives of young children. With their teachers and classmates, children discover the wonders of nature and play at the nature center's farm where barnyard animals provide stimulating opportunities for learning. Programs on beekeeping, honey making, maple syruping - as well as tasting apples picked right off the tree - encourage children to explore how their lives are part of the world of nature. Our preschool uses the inherent wonder, complexity and beauty of the natural world as a catalyst for a child's growth and development.
Dodge Nature Center
"Dodge Nature Center has always been one of my favorite places to escape the frenzy of the city and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Even though I now live in Wyoming surrounded by nature, I still remember my walks at Dodge being some of the post peaceful moments in my life. Thank you for what you do." - Emily Tepe
"I remember ALL my field trips to the Dodge, over 25 years ago! Picking apples, jumping in the hay, eating fried dandelions, using my first snowshoes and more! How lucky is my 3 year old to go to preschool there EVERY DAY!" – Stephanie Quick Espinoza
"Dodge is absolutely a gem; a magical place where our children are growing. <3 Thanks" – Ben Gessner
Dodge Nature Center
Visit DodgeNatureCenter.org/Support/Volunteer for position details or contact Kim Bauer, Volunteer Coordinator kbauer@dodgenaturecenter.org
Event Positions - Choose a role and event that best fits your style.
April 24 - Earth Day - give back and grill out
May 19 - Rock the Barn - farm festival fundraiser: music, baby farm animals, and more
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Now interviewing teens 16+ for Summer Camp Assistants
Play games, hear funny things kids say and help us give campers a memorable experience.
Want to help? Skill-based volunteers are needed in the following categories!
Dodge Nature Center
Suggested Donations
- Your donation of $10 will pay for one student to visit Dodge on a field trip ($10.00)
- Your donation of $25 will pay for five grasses or flowers for our prairie--essential for pollination ($25.00)
- Your donation of $50 will provide one week of food and care for Bud the Eagle ($50.00)
Funding Needs
Dodge Nature Center's vision of inspiring commitment to the thoughtful care of the environment is more important than ever. Your donation supports the many ways we connect the community to nature including trails, field trips, outdoor classrooms, animal care, school outreach, preschool, honeybees, and more. We are privately funded, so we could not do this work without partners like you!
