Visiting the Belwin Conservancy
The Belwin Conservancy's 1,300 acres of protected land found along the bluffs above the Saint Croix River and in the watershed of Valley Creek comprise one of the largest remaining intact natural areas in the Twin Cities. The Belwin Conservancy is neither a park nor a nature center, but there are many unique and memorable opportunities to immerse yourself in nature at our preserve.
Rules and Guidelines
Visiting the Belwin Conservancy is a special treat. The land under our care contains an amazing cross-section of habitats and biodiversity found very few other places, especially so close to the Twin Cities. Please enjoy your time here, but keep in mind that you are a visitor. The Belwin Conservancy is managed for the wild things and not for human activity. There are numerous threatened plant and animal species on our land and it is our duty to care for them. Please tread lightly and subscribe to the principals of Leave no Trace.
For the enjoyment of everyone, the following are never allowed anywhere on Belwin property: Fires, Littering, Camping, Hunting, Horses, Motorized Vehicles, Picnicking, Weapons, Removal Vegetation or Picking Flowers. Belwin Conservancy property is only open during daylight hours.
Places to Visit
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Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields
The Belwin Conservancy owns and operates this youth athletics complex located on Hudson Road in West Lakeland. Although the fields themselves are not open to public use—they are only used by the regional youth athletic leagues—adjacent to them are hiking trails open to anyone, anytime the complex is open (most daylight hours during the summer).
These hiking trails wind their way through tallgrass prairie and into the adjacent woodlands. They provide are some of our least strenuous and most accessible walks. The facilities in the adjacent the ball fields include restrooms, concession areas and ample parking.
No dogs are allowed anywhere at the athletic complex.
Bison
During the summer months, the Belwin Conservancy hosts bison on some of our prairies. The bison are first and foremost a prairie restoration tool, their presence on the prairie adds to its diversity and richness. They also are magical creatures in their own right and visiting them throughout the summer is fun.
In 2009, the Belwin Conservancy opened a 20-foot tall observation platform from which visitor can view the bison wherever they may be on the prairie. The observation platform also affords a great panoramic view of the whole prairie. It is a great spot for birdwatching and admiring the seasonal wildflowers below. Bring binoculars!
The observation platform is only open during the summer months when the bison are present (roughly June through October) and then, only from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sauers Pond
The Sauers Pond Site is the portion of the Belwin Conservancy's preserve whose trails are open to hiking any time during daylight hours, all year long. This property contains several miles of trails through some of our very best prairies. This is a great area for birding, or just to enjoy nature. During the winter, Sauers Pond is a prime spot to go cross-country skiing, although the trails are not groomed.
There is a parking area for hikers located off of 11th Street, just east of Stagecoach Trail South. There are maps at this location as well as an entrance just to the left of the gate.
When hiking in this area, keep in mind that there are no facilities anywhere on the property. In addition, cell phones get spotty reception, so please use appropriate caution when utilizing the Sauers Pond Site.
Dogs are allowed on Belwin's Sauers Pond site, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. The Sauers Pond Site is principally managed for grassland bird habitat. These are threatened animals and off-leash dogs are disruptive to them. In addition, all dog waste must be cleaned up and removed from the site (not simply discarded off of the trail).
- Map of the Sauers Pond Site (pdf) There are also maps available in the parking area
- Map of 11th Street
Education Center
The Education Center and the trails near it, are probably the Belwin Conservancy’s most iconic location. This area is what most people know of when they think of the Belwin Conservancy. It is also where the Saint Paul Public School System’s Valley Branch Environmental Learning Center is located. This facility hosts 10,000 students (grades three and up) throughout the year.
Due to the many activities that occur at the education center, this section of the Belwin Conservancy's preserve is not open to the public. The Belwin Conservancy holds special events at the education center during the year so that people can come and enjoy this unique spot and walk the miles of trails found here.
The majority of these events are offered exclusively to the Belwin Conservancy’s members.
No dogs are allowed at this location.
Belwin Conservancy Members
Touched upon above, the Belwin Conservancy's members are invited to come out several times a year for events that are just for them. This gives our members to enjoy the preserve that they support with their contributions. Generally these events are held in the education center. We will sometimes arrange for a speaker and other times just open the area to hiking or skiing. For our members who join at the Supporting, Sustaining or Benefactor level, we have several programs that go into greater depth and explore other areas of the Belwin Conservancy's preserve.
Research
At any given time, there are a number of research projects happening at the Belwin Conservancy. In cooperation with the Belwin Conservancy, researchers may use our property for a variety of different projects. For more information on research opportunities please consult the research page.