The moderate winter weather might make for an early maple syrup season in Minnesota.

"I hope the maple trees produce as much sap as in years past, but the season may occur a few weeks early if this winter's weather continues on its current course. Early-flowing sap generally has less sugar, so it will take more of it to make syrup this year," said Mimi Barzen, a forester with the state's Department of Natural Resources, in a news release.

Late February to mid-April generally marks the start of sap collection. Sap flows best when nights are below freezing and days get above 35 degrees.

The DNR has two free, how-to programs on syrup-making the first weekend of March. One is at Whitewater State Park on March 5 (10:30 a.m.-noon or 1-2:30 p.m.); the second is at Wild River State Park on March 5-6. The program is from 1 to 2 p.m. both days. More information on the syrup programs at the state parks is online at bit.ly/mplsyrp.