Fiwygin Outdoors Presents Asha's 14th Annual Celebration of Winter!

Join us at 3pm Saturday, February 17th at Crosby Regional Park in Saint Paul for yard games (think bean bags, ladder golf, etc), exploring (think hiking, wildlife tracking, meandering, birding, etc) and of course a bonfire/hot chocolate/smores!  We'll bring a few pair of skis and snowshoes, a bunch of yard games, and plenty of firewood and snacks.

Come spend time outdoors with us.  We'll hang out at the park until about 5pm, and those who want can head up the hill to Summit Brewery (which like all our events, is kid friendly)!  Ninja Sushi is the scheduled food truck for the night, and there will be an opportunity to donate to a local non-profit (TBD sooner than later) if you are interested.  

All are welcome, with an extra shout out to those who are underrepresented in outdoor spaces.  There will be activities for all, so even if the "outdoors isn't your thing," we'll do our best to make sure you stay warm and even have some fun!  Hit up asha with any questions or concerns.  This event (as are all of our events) is free of charge.  We hope you join us for some or all of this exciting celebration!  

Last year's 13th Annual Celebration of Winter was also held at Crosby Regional Park.  

October 8th - Fiwygin Outdoors is in Saint Paul!

Apologies for the belated (and missed) posts.  We took some vacations, bought a house, etc... 

Fiwygin Outdoors next event is Saturday, October 8th at 9:30am.  We're mixing up the time a bit - in hopes some new folks can join us. 

Plan to meet at 9:30am at Indian Mounds Park (at the building on Mounds Boulevard and Earl Street).  Aside from taking a trek for about a mile, while checking out over 20 species of trees and 2,000 year old Indian Mounds...we will also be having a contest for "best fallen leaf."  We can't yet share what the winning prize will be, but rest assured it will be good! 

The weather is getting colder, so plan ahead and bring a sweater/jacket.  If you need cold weather clothes, let us know in advance and we will make sure you're covered....literally.  

Let us know if you have any questions.  If you've come to a Fiwygin Outdoors event before, we hope to see you again -- and please bring a friend!  If you haven't yet been to one of our events, there's no better time than this weekend to join us.  All our events are free, accessible, and all are welcome/encouraged to come -- especially those who are underrepresented in outdoor spaces (i.e. POC, LGBTQ people, people with limited income/resources/experience/mobility/etc...).  

Hope to see you this Saturday!  Please RSVP on Facebook (if you can), so we know how many snacks we should bring.  If you can't join us, but are spending time outdoors that day, post a photo of the best leaf you can find with the hashtag #FiwyginOutdoors to join the fun!   

See You August 6th at the Wildflower Garden!

Hello everyone!  Fiwygin Outdoors is happening this Saturday, August 6th at 1pm at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden.  You can see the official facebook event HERE.  

We will be taking a stroll through the wildflower garden, with the potential of joining the Birding Basics class that starts at 1pm.  We will bring a pair of binoculars and a few books about birds and plants. Bring your own too if you have them. 

Kids, strollers and friends are encouraged and totally okay. No pets allowed unfortunately. There is no cost to attend the wildflower garden, but it is paid parking at the wildflower garden parking lot. Parking for 2 hours is probably $3-4.  We will have some money to help cover parking costs for those who would like to park near the entrance of the garden. 

If you want to park for free at the beach house (3200 Glenwood Avenue), plan to meet there at 12:30, and we can walk/skip/wheel our way over to the garden parking lot, which is less than a mile away and up hill. 

As always, Fiwygin Outdoors will provide snacks for everyone, and a prize for best #fiwyginoutdoors photo. Please bring a bottle of water so you don't get dehydrated. 

Let asha know if you have any questions.  Hope to see you on Saturday!  If you get lost, call 651.295.2773 and asha will try and help.  Don't forget to invite your friends!  All are welcome.  

Cheers! 

Fiwygin Outdoors - A Survey to Guide Us

We had an awesome Fiwygin Outdoors event yesterday.  As Fiwygin Outdoors continues to grow, we want to make sure we are reaching the folks this group was intended to reach.  Regardless of if you have attended a Fiwygin Outdoors event, please take a few minutes to take this survey.  It will help us better understand who is spending time outdoors, what the barriers are that folks are experiencing, and what we can do to make spending time outdoors more accessible and inclusive.  Thanks!  

Canoe for Sale (SOLD)

We recently purchased a new canoe, so we are selling "Rachel," a 16 foot Old Town Penobscot canoe.  Rachel is 58lbs, holds up to 1100 lbs, and is great on moving or still water.  

We've had many memories with Rachel (i.e. a paddle down Minneahaha Creek, a day trip on the Crow River, a blood moon eclipse viewing party on Cedar Lake, many boat picnics on Brownie Lake, and a proposal no less)! 

Rachel retails new for $1800.  She is well used, so we are selling her for $600.  She comes with a small Indian Flag sticker on one side, and a small Croatian flag sticker on the other.  There is one considerable dent in the bottom, but overall, the boat is in good condition and is a great canoe for anyone who wants to be out on the water.

We could sell Rachel on Craigslist, but our hope is to sell her to a friend - someone who would be a good steward and appreciate Rachel as much as we do.  Please take a look, let me know if you want to take her out for a test paddle, and share with friends who might be interested.  

Thank you! 

May 7th

Saturday, May 7th is just around the corner.  Why is this date important?  Because the weather should be better than last month, and it's about time to get together and have some fun outdoors, and it's the next Fiwygin Outdoors event,

Here are the details: 

Who: You.  Anyone, and everyone.  Especially the folks who have ever felt like they didn't belong outdoors, weren't welcome in outdoor spaces, or are afraid to spend time/be active outside.

What: Anything outdoors.  Want to run 5 miles?  Go for it!  Want to hike 100 meters?  Cool!  Want to ride a mountain bike or paddle a canoe?  Why not (we'll have 2 bikes, and 1 canoe to share -- bring yours too if you have one).  Want to sit on a bench and draw some of the beautiful wildlife?  Please do!  Have kids (or not) and want to play on the playground?  Why not?!  Want to go fishing?  Wirth Lake is right there (and if you're under 18 you don't need a fishing license).  Want to play volleyball or basketball?  Bring a ball and a few friends!  Interested in checking out the spring flowers at the wildflower garden?  You can - and we have a naturalist to serve as your guide.   

Where: Theodore Wirth Park - meet at the Beach House (3200 Glenwood).  

When: Noon on May 7th.

Why: Because spending time outdoors is good for the body, mind, and spirit.  And Fiwygin Outdoors is all about making spending time outside a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for all folks to thrive.  

Bonus: Whoever posts the best photo with the hashtag #FiwyginOutdoors on Saturday during the event - will win a copy of James Mills "The Adventure Gap -- Changing the Face of the Outdoors."  Snacks will be provided for all who attend.  

The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors

By James E. Mills

Hope to see you on Saturday, May 7th at noon.  All are welcome and encouraged to come exactly as they are.  

PS - If you are planning on watching the Kentucky Derby -- rest assured, it doesn't start until several hours after Fiwygin Outdoors.  You'll have time to do both!