Wood Lake Nature Center facts for kids
The Wood Lake Nature Center is a special place in Richfield, Minnesota. It's a nature preserve that covers about 150 acres (0.61 square kilometers). Here, you can find different natural areas like a forest, a marsh, and open prairie lands.
The center has three miles of trails for walking. Some trails are paved, and others are made of crushed limestone. This makes them easy to use, especially in the summer. Along the trails, you'll find places to watch nature, docks, and even a picnic area. There's also an outdoor amphitheater for events.
At the Wood Lake Nature Center, there's an Interpretive Center. Friendly naturalists work there. They offer classes and activities all year long for both kids and adults.
Long ago, Wood Lake was a popular spot for fun activities. Homes were built around it. But in the 1950s, much of the lake's water drained away. This happened partly because of the building of Interstate Highway 35W nearby. The city of Richfield decided to create the Wood Lake Nature Center in 1971 to protect this important natural area.
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Exploring Wood Lake's Habitats
Wood Lake Nature Center has three main types of natural areas, called ecosystems. These are the forest, the marsh, and the prairie. Each one is home to different plants and animals.
Restoring Natural Areas
In recent years, people have worked hard to bring back the prairie habitat. They are also starting to create an oak savannah. This is a special area with scattered oak trees and grassy spaces.
To keep these habitats safe, there are some rules at Wood Lake. You cannot bring pets, bikes, or skates into the park. Also, picking plants or collecting things from nature is not allowed. These rules help protect the plants and animals that live there.
The Important Marsh
Wood Lake's marsh gets its water from stormwater. This is rain and melted snow that flows from pipes around Richfield. There are also pipes to let water out if the marsh gets too full. Even a little rain can change the water level a lot. Many animals, like fish, ducks, and even coyotes, depend on the marsh to live.
Helping Wood Lake Grow
In 1991, a group called Friends of Wood Lake (FOWL) was started. This group helps the nature center in many ways. They speak up for the center and raise money to support its programs.
Fun Ways to Support Wood Lake
Friends of Wood Lake holds special events to raise money. These include the Urban Wildland Half Marathon and 5K Race. They also host the Friends of Wood Lake Golf Klassic. These events help make sure the nature center can keep teaching people about nature.
