Family Hike with Huellas Latinas

Enjoy the summer by exploring Dakota County parks with Huellas Latinas. This hike is part of *Nature Walks with Latino Families – Summer Series 2026*, a series of experiences designed to promote well-being, physical activity, and a connection to nature for Latino families.

🎵 Theme of the Day: Sounds of the Forest

What stories does a forest tell us when we learn to listen? During this hike, we will tune in to the sounds of nature, discover how birds, insects, wind, and water are part of the ecosystem, and explore how mindful listening strengthens our connection to the environment.

Come walk, learn new outdoor skills, and enjoy an afternoon of nature, community, and discovery.

We look forward to making our mark together! 🌿

Nature Journaling Experiences

It all begins when we learn to observe.

In this experience, we will learn to slow down, observe more closely, and discover nature from a new perspective.

Through a guided walk in the beautiful Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, we will explore how nature journaling can become a tool for well-being, curiosity, and connection with the environment.

During the experience, we will also learn about park navigation, outdoor safety, “Leave No Trace” principles, and the importance of protecting the natural spaces we share.

As part of the Latino Park Stewardship & Leadership Initiative, this will be the first of five experiences designed to help our community connect with nature, develop leadership skills, and become future Latino Park Stewards.

We look forward to making our mark together!

Family Hike with Huellas Latinas

Discover the beauty of summer by exploring Dakota County parks with Huellas Latinas. This hike is part of the “Nature Walks with Latino Families – Summer Series 2026,” a series of experiences promoting well-being, physical activity, and a connection to nature for Latino families.

🌎 Theme of the Day: Ecosystem Conservation

Every forest, prairie, wetland, and river is part of an ecosystem where plants, animals, and people are interconnected. During this hike, we will explore how these natural spaces function, why they are vital to life, and what simple actions we can take to protect them.

Come hike, learn new outdoor skills, and enjoy an afternoon of nature, community, and discovery.

We look forward to making a mark together! 🌿

Nature Fest: Cultivating Community

Where culture and nature bring us together
Every year, we gather to celebrate what connects us all: our cultures, our community, and the nature we share.

Nature Fest: Cultivating Community is a free, family-friendly festival featuring music, dance, art, food, outdoor activities, and interactive experiences in one of the metropolitan area’s most beautiful natural spaces. The event is organized by the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, the City of Bloomington, the Minnesota Zoo, Indigenous Roots, Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends, and Huellas Latinas.

More than just a festival, it is an invitation to discover the refuge, meet new organizations, enjoy activities for all ages, and celebrate the cultural richness that strengthens our communities.

🎶 Music and cultural performances
🌿 Nature activities and environmental education
🎨 Art, workshops, and interactive experiences
🌮 Food trucks and family-friendly areas
💛 Free admission; open to the entire community

Nature Fest is made possible by the commitment of dozens of volunteers who bring this celebration to life each year. If you would like to experience the festival from a different perspective, we invite you to join our volunteer team and help us continue cultivating community.

We look forward to celebrating, exploring, and connecting with nature together!