Hey Mari, 

Ever wondered what makes Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center such a gem in the heart of Minnesota's lake country? 🌲Picture this: over 30 years ago, a visionary crew started something incredible out of a shared vision to educate the community about the environment and foster a love for the outdoors.

Think of Gary Westby, Wayne Thompson, William Thompson, Ben Thoma, Roger Strand, Paul Vollan, Bill Johnson, Ron Erpelding, Laura Molenaar, Earl Olson, Mary Catherwood, the Danielson family, the Linder Foundation, the Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners... well, the list is longer than a Minnesota winter, and naming everyone would take us into next ice fishing season! *  

Fast forward to today, and Prairie Woods isn’t just a learning center—it’s part of the heartbeat of our community. In the last ten years alone, we've served an astounding 158,718 active participants. This impressive number highlights our impact and how we've transformed our backyard into a sanctuary of learning and conservation. From watching the trails take shape to seeing our programs blossom, our long-standing members have been at the core of this incredible evolution.  

And here’s the cool part: you can be a part of this too! By joining as a member, you’re not just signing up for benefits like half-price on equipment rentals or exclusive access to our events and trails. You’re stepping into a tradition of caring, a family of changemakers who believe in nurturing the natural world and our connection to it. 

Renewing Members: Now is the perfect time to renew and continue your support, or pick up where you left off. Let’s reconnect and continue this vital mission together. 

Are you ready to explore new paths and contribute to our growing community? Let’s make it official. Sign up today, and let's prove that fun and nature go together like loons on Golden Pond. 

Sign Up Here and Start Your Adventure 

With all our best, 

The Prairie Woods Membership Team 

P.S. Mari, every bit of your support helps us continue our work! As a 501(c)3 non-profit, your contributions are tax-deductible. Our tax ID number is 41-1366265. Let's keep this wonderful legacy thriving together! 💚

P.P.S. We're halfway through our May membership drive - thank you to all those who have joined and renewed! 👏👏👏 Your support is crucial in helping us nurture our community and environment.

*And seriously, to all those unmentioned —the loons, deer, monarch butterflies, prairie grasses, and every creature of Prairie Woods—we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone involved. It has been a wildly inspiring journey. 

 🦌🦋🌾