1 Nature photography

Silverwood Park, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Three Rivers Park District offers once-a-month workshops on nature photography. Open to seasoned shooters and amateurs alike, these events are designed for swapping ideas and honing technique. All levels are welcome. $30. Lunch provided. Reservation required; 763-559-6700 or www.threeriversparks.org.

2 Bdote: Where rivers and people meet

Fort Snelling State Park, Nov. 24, 1-2 p.m.

Take an easygoing stroll through Fort Snelling State Park to see the various sites and learn about the park's historic characters. This particular program retraces the steps of the men and women who, for hundreds of years, followed the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers to the area now known as Fort Snelling. 612-725-2724 or www.mndnr.gov.

3 Turkey tracks

Eastman Nature Center, Nov. 24, from 1-2 p.m.

Everything you ever wanted to know about wild turkeys — their behavior, their increasingly urban habitats, even their turkey calls. Perfect for families, this educational program invites kids to examine turkey mounts before following their tracks through Elm Creek Park Reserve. More information: www.threeriversparks.org.

4 Fall cave tours

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, Nov. 23, 1 and 3 p.m.

Take a rare, late-fall tour through the park's natural cave formations. These easygoing, one-hour tours follow concrete trails for an up-close look at underground pools and lakes, plus all the long, skinny corridors of the caves. $10. Reservations required; 1-866-857-2757 or www.mndnr.gov/ reservations.

5 Post-holiday nature hike

Fort Snelling State Park, Nov. 29, 1-3 p.m.

Take this opportunity to walk off your Thanksgiving dinner while searching the park (with a naturalist at your side) for animal tracks and other signs of late-fall wildlife cycles. 612-725-2724 or www.mndnr.gov.