Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center

Dodge Nature preschool has been a nationally recognized leader and visionary in early childhood environmental education since its founding in 2000. Research shows that time in Nature supports early childhood education and developmental milestones such as cognitive, social, and physical skills. During the academic year and at summer camp, more than 360 students, age 3 to 5, learn and grow through nature-based curriculum that is driven by their interests and framed by the natural cycle of the seasons. Dodge Nature preschool continues to innovate facilities and curriculum to engage preschoolers in an all-outdoor educational model that prepares them as the next generation of environmental stewards. (continued on scheduled o)(continued from part iii)dodge Nature preschool teachers attended and presented at the natural start alliance conference, the largest national gathering of nature-based early education professionals. As they have since 2011, Dodge Nature preschool hosted and led a learning conference in 2023 that drew early childhood educators nationally and provided professional development hours. Dodge Nature preschool is licensed by the Minnesota department of human services, accredited by the national association for the education of young children (naeyc), and certified as a Nature explore classroom. It received the highest possible rating of 4 stars from parent aware, the state of Minnesota's quality rating system.

To convey the significance of agriculture in the environment and people's lives, Dodge Nature Center maintains two working farms in west st. paul and cottage grove. The farms offer students of all ages learning experiences about food science, traditional agriculture, soil science, beekeeping, livestock, sustainability and renewable energy. Heritage breeds of chickens, cows, horses, pigs, sheep and goats are viewable in the pastures every day; farm tours take visitors into the barn and chicken coops. Community members can rent garden plots, learn organic gardening practices from our farmers, and grow produce in rich soil. The farms offer Dodge's two most popular public programs: maple syruping, and the springtime birth of farm animals like lambs, goat kids, piglets and chicks.

Dodge Nature Center serves the community by providing more than 60,000 accessible, affordable Nature experiences annually to people of all ages and backgrounds. Its high-quality environmental educational programs include school field trips that align with state academic standards in science and social studies, affordable school-break camps and after-school programs for k-8 students, a naturalist fellowship program, family programs, free or low-cost community events, and adult enrichment. Our programs are low-cost, and we have scholarships available to reduce barriers for schools and families with financial need. (continued on scheduled o)(continued from part iii)with the new education Center (located in cottage grove) completed in september 2023, our ability to reach even more students in the southeast metro is increasing. South Washington county schools (district 833) have begun piloting field trips with us. Over the next several years, we plan to grow our capacity to meet the needs of students and teachers, not only with our current partners in school district 197, but also with new partners in district 833.dodge offers people access to 460+ acres of restored and native landscapes, including woods, prairie, wetlands and oak savanna. These greenspaces are habitat for wildlife and islands of Nature in the community. Trails are open daily to the public at no charge. In 2022-2023 Dodge expanded programming at our new cottage grove facility through new programs, summer camps, a community halloween event, community gardens, and beekeeping and chicken keeping classes for adults. Dodge offered these services with the support of 24 board members, 33 full-time staff, 12 part-time staff, and 335 volunteers.

Volunteers are an integral part of Dodge Nature Center and preschool. Dodge was able to enhance the lives of more than 57,631 school children who visited the Center last year with the assistance of volunteers. Volunteers are critical to the success of our programs and serve in a variety of capacities including teacher naturalists, class assistants, land restorationists, grounds support, event helpers, office assistants, trail greeters and guides, camp volunteers, preschool assistants, and animal care and garden support. Volunteers contributed approximately 5426 hours of service during the year ended august 31, 2023.