Events & Programs
We are happy to host you for a sustainability tour/visit. School groups, church groups, garden clubs, individuals, etc. are all welcome. Host your staff meeting here and include a pizza lunch or snack of homemade bread & jam. OR just come to hang out, walk the trails and BE. Please call/email to set a time. The labyrinth & trails are self-guided, just call / email to let us know you're coming.
TO SIGN UP: Some classes/activities are limited. PLEASE sign up by contacting us via email, phone (need: your name, phone, email & class/activity), or thru the website (be SURE to indicate class you're signing up for). Schedule subject to change, confirm before coming. Any fees may be paid via cash or check when you come to the class. (we're keeping it simple with no corporate fees on payments and such).
ABOUT FEES: BMP is open to all regardless of one's ability to pay. The last three years we practiced an economy of “reciprocity”, giving in accordance to what you receive (i.e., labor, money, goods needed, etc.), for a balance. While this has been great to offer, the reality is costs are not being covered. As a result, classes/activities will mostly be on a "SLIDING FEE SCALE" of $0 - $50. YOU still determine the rate with some basic guidelines - most are offered at suggested $15-20 range. (some classes do have a "supplies" fee which are noted in addition to class fee.)
BMP's biggest expenses relate to insurance and property tax. Currently no staff are paid, and instructors receive a stipend, which many gift back to BMP, for which we are grateful.
StoryWalk Along Forrest Ridge Trail
Self-Guided & Open most days
The StoryWalk is along the Forrest Ridge Trail for adventurers to join reading Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Place by Jim Arnosky. There is also Crinkleroot's Bingo to play as you walk through the woods. NEXT UP in Spring 2025: One Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova (Minnesota author)
Labyrinth & Trails
The Labyrinth in the woods and trails around the grounds are available for walking / meditating. Trails are no longer than one mile. We are also near trails into the Foothills State Forest. Be sure to dress properly, trails may be wet and/or have fallen brush/trees across paths in the Foothills.
* Forrest Ridge Trail (StoryWalk trail)
* Meadow Creek Trail * Twin Creek Trail
* Balsam Pond Trail * Labyrinth
Daycare groups, home-school groups, families, school groups, library groups and all ages are welcome to participate. Want a special activity experience? Let us know and we can set that up as a teacher-guided experience.
Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
Feel free to come snowshoe the trails in the winter months.
PIZZA NIGHTS & TOUR PRIOR
Fridays: June 13, July 11, Aug 8
TOUR at 4pm
Pizza 5-7pm - PLEASE sign up via email or phone
Join is these fun, relaxing evenings of pizza cooked in the outdoor oven. Balsam Moon provides the sourdough or gluten free crust, sauce, cheese blend. YOU bring your own unique toppings (which you are welcome to share with others though not expected).
Come anytime between 5-7pm. Walk the trails while you wait for your pizza, sit and visit by the pond, enjoy each other's company, meet old friends and new.
Time to slow down, be in nature, be with friends you've yet to meet, eat, laugh, celebrate life!
FEE: Reciprocity - you determine the value to you based on your resources. Pay via cash/check when you come.
Mullein on left, yarrow on right, digging burdock root below.
FORAGING WILD MEDICINALS
Tuesday: June 24, 4-6pm
OR Aug 16, Sat. 9-11am
Instructor: Jolene Ludeman, certified herbalist
Walk with Jolene through the beautiful Balsam Moon Preserve and see what plants are blooming in the field, forest, creek edge, and gardens. Learn about in-season MN herbs, their identification, stories, and healing or culinary offerings. You will become familiar with how to incorporate these healing plant allies into your life, while learning to love their places and faces in our ecosystem.
Jolene started her training in Herbalism 16 years ago with the birth of her first child. Many moons later and she is now currently working her way through advanced Clinical Herbalism. Jolene's favorite part of being an herbalist is helping others along in their journey to the healing plants around us. She currently resides in Pine River with her family.
FEE: Sliding Fee Scale $0-20 based on your resources.
FORAGING MUSHROOMS w/ Tanya
Saturday, June 28, 1-4pm
Instructor: Tanya Villano
Join Tanya yet again for a time of learning and being in nature searching out what can be the elusive mushrooms in season. You may find chanterelles, oyster mushrooms, lobster mushrooms, black trumpet, indigo milkcaps or others. She'll give you tips, and guidelines for foraging our native woods and provide processing and usage tips as well.
Dress for hiking including bug protection, tick protection, sun protection. Bring a gathering basket or bag, and a water bottle.
Tanya has been foraging mushrooms for many years and has been teaching classes at BMP for three years. Her relaxed presence and passion for mushrooms aids in newbies diving in to learn and forage. She has basic training / certification and never claims to be an expert.
FEE: Sliding Fee Scale $0-20 based on your resources.
TRANSFORMATION GAME
July 15 & 16, Tues & Wed
10am-4pm each day (lunch included)
Facilitated by Barb Mann
Maximum of 4 participants/players - TWO SPOTS REMAINING!
Also Offered: by special arrangements.
Examples of personal game focus:
* What steps can I take in my relationship(s) sot that I feel greater satisfaction and happiness?
* I desire to release those personality blocks that keep me from being joyful, creative and harmonious.
* I intend to gain a greater understanding and awareness, and move through my pattern of wanting to "fix" others.
* I intend to know and clear the obstacles that keep me from full and creative service to the planet.
The Transformation Game is a joyful way of understanding and transforming the way you play your life. It's about looking at your life and the kinds of experiences you create, seeing how you react to them, and how you can use these insights for your own growth. Through the Game you can become more aware of your personal strengths and learn important lessons that can deepen your understanding of how you operate on the Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual levels. By providing new perspectives on current life issues, the Game helps you clarify old beliefs and attitudes and transform reaction patterns. It triggers your creativity and lets you realize your full power and potential.
You play with a particular focus or intention (see examples at left) and this guides your entire experience.
This is not a competitive game. It is not therapy or counseling (those of you with those skills, be mindful in playing). The other players can be helpful in bringing different perspectives to light as you decipher information you receive in playing the game per your focus/intention, as you also serve in that capacity for the other players. It IS meant to be FUN! In the midst of that fun, there may be tears and resistance along with the laughter. It's not about judgment, or right/wrong, good/bad. It is an opportunity to reflect and learn about yourself as you live your life/dream.
FEE: Reciprocity - YOU determine the value to you based on your resources to "give back"
July 11, Fri, Pizza Night 5-7pm
July 15 & 16, Tu & W, 10am-4pm each day Transformation Game reciprocity
July 19, Sat. 1-5pm, Foraging Wild Edibles & Meal w/ Stacey Quade of Duluth, FEE: $20
July 23, Wed., 4-6pm Wild Mushroom Delights - prepping & using wild mushrooms, w/ Tanya Villano FEE: $20
Aug 8, Fri, 5-7pm Pizza Night (final one of season)
Aug 16, Sat, 9-11am Foraging Wild Medicinals w/ Jolene Ludeman FEE: $15
Aug. 23, Sat, 1-5pm Mushroom Foraging w/ Mushroom Pizza w/ Tanya Villano. FEE: $20
Sept. 6, Sat. 2-7pm, Harvest Celebration & Meal
Sept 21, Sun 10-11am International Day of Peace on the Labyrinth
Sept 27, Sat 10-noon Seed Saving Part 1 - how to basics w/ Barbara Kaufman
1-3pm Seed Saving Part 2 - hands-on
(if here for both parts, bring a sack lunch)
Oct. 4, Sat, 10am-2pm - National Solar Tour
Nov 7, Fri, 5:30pm - Potluck & Ponderings ANNUAL REVIEW
Dec. 21, Sun, 6pm - Winter Solstice
MORE TO COME FOR 2025