Our fish and wildlife are among our most valuable resources, along with clean air, water, healthy forests and agricultural lands that support all of us. Quality of life, outdoor heritage and prosperity are tied to the health and sustainability of these treasures. There are countless benefits of connecting with nature, including:
  • Increasing quality time with family and carrying on traditions.
  • Enjoying activities such as fishing, hunting, bird watching, camping, biking, boating, taking walks and various other forms of outdoor recreation.
  • Physical and mental health increases when we spend time in nature.
  • Ensuring there is a next generation of conservationists.

Minnesota Endangered or Threatened Species


SE Minnesota Seasonal Changes

September
  • Migrating sandhill cranes pass through
  • White-tailed deer become more active during breeding season
  • Squirrels and chipmunks are busy gathering food for winter
  • Tamarack trees begin to turn yellow
  • Fall wildflowers such as asters, goldenrod, and sunflowers bloom
October
  • Migrating waterfowl pass through
  • Coyotes become more vocal
  • Wild grapes and hazelnuts ripen
  • Oaks begin to turn red and orange
  • Witch-hazel blooms
November
  • Trumpeter swans begin to gather in large flocks
  • Raccoons and opossums become more active
  • Tundra swans can be seen on area waterways
  • Northern shrikes arrive for the winter
  • Bald eagles are more active near open water
December
  • Great horned owls begin to nest
  • Gray squirrels and red squirrels are active
  • Snowshoe hares change color to blend in with snow
  • American robins can be seen if there is a warm spell
  • Trees are bare, and the landscape takes on a winter look
January
  • White-tailed deer and wild turkeys can be seen foraging in fields
  • Gray and red squirrels are active and can be seen foraging for food
  • Bald eagles are more active near open water
  • Snowy owls can be seen in the area
  • Winterberry and red-osier dogwood provide winter interest with their bright red berries
February
  • Great horned owls are actively nesting
  • River otters become more active on frozen waterways
  • Red foxes mate and can be seen more often during the day
  • American crows begin to gather in large groups
  • Pussy willows begin to emerge and provide a sign of the coming spring
March
  • Red-winged blackbirds return
  • Trumpeter swans return to the area
  • Bald eagles can be seen near waterways
  • Eastern cottontail rabbits become more active
  • Pussy willows begin to emerge
  • Snow trilliums begin to bloom
April
  • Wood ducks return to area waterways
  • Wild turkeys begin to display and mate
  • Tree swallows begin to arrive
  • American white pelicans begin to migrate through
  • Bloodroot and trout lilies begin to bloom
May
  • Migrating warblers pass through
  • Orioles and grosbeaks arrive
  • Red fox kits are born
  • Painted turtles begin to lay eggs
  • Wild geraniums and trilliums bloom
  • Trees leaf out, including maple, oak, and birch
June
  • Fireflies emerge
  • Beavers become more active
  • Canada geese begin to molt
  • Songbirds are actively nesting
  • Common milkweed blooms
  • Prairie smoke blooms
July
  • Monarch butterflies can be seen
  • Eastern bluebirds begin to nest
  • Whitetail deer fawns are born
  • Hummingbirds are active
  • Blazing stars and purple coneflowers bloom
  • Common loons begin to migrate through
August
  • Ruby-throated hummingbirds begin to migrate through
  • Ripe raspberries and blackberries can be found
  • Bats become more active
  • Bullfrogs can be heard calling
  • Goldenrod and New England asters bloom