St. Olaf Natural Lands

10/14/2026

Come one, come all! The student naturalists will be hosting cyanotype making this Saturday from 12-2. Bring your favorite leaf, developed film, or any other flat object to add to your fun fall activity.

10/11/2026

10/07/2026

Have you ever wondered what the big white round things growing in the Natural Lands are? Well wonder no more! They are Giant Puffball mushrooms, and they have been growing all summer and are beginning to reproduce. Like other mushrooms, Giant Puffballs reproduce using spores. When released from the mushroom, spores move through the air until they land somewhere and, if the conditions are right, begin producing filaments of hyphae. Giant Puffballs can have up to 7 trillion spores, which are released when the mushrooms crack open. If you see a Giant Puffball in the Natural Lands, give it a light tap and see if you can see any spores being released!

09/26/2026

Finding magnificent acorns + treasures in the Carleton Arb today

09/22/2026

Introducing the student naturalists for the 2026-2027 school year! They will are often out identifying plants around the Natural Lands and will be working on some awesome projects this year. If you see them around feel free to ask them about their projects and favorite plants!

09/04/2026

Hey there new Oles, welcome to the Hill! We would love to see you at one of our Natural Lands walks tomorrow morning where you can learn about the history of the Natural Lands, hear about some of our current projects, and spend time outside! We will meet at the Art Barn, near the base of Big Ole (the wind turbine). We can’t wait to meet you all!!

07/27/2026

A hot, sweaty, and buggy but productive morning collecting Elymus riparius (riverbank wild rye) and Elymus hystrix (bottlebrush grass) with the Carleton’s Cowling Arboretum crew and the Sharing Our Roots naturals lands interns at a local woodland today.

06/26/2026

Heyo, the techs are back after a long weekend! This week we were sedge maxing!!

Also, the black raspberries are ripe! Take a walk through the Natural Lands and get a tasty snack. 🐸

06/04/2026

Welcome back OLES! The Natural Land techs have been busy this first week at work. They have been pulling Dames Rocket in Heath Creek, checking bluebird boxes, and collecting some fun sedges! Stay tuned for some more Summer Natty Lands updates!🐛