Paddling, birding, searching for wildflowers: It's a full parks weekend

Interstate State Park

6:30-7:30 p.m. Friday

A naturalist will lead a walk filled with newly arrived birds, blooms and more. The one-mile walk will take an hour. Meet at the park office. (651-465-5711, mndnr.gov).

Gateway State Trail

7-8 a.m. Saturday

View migrant and resident birds at the Lansing Avenue Crossing, one of the best bird-watching spots along the trail. We will sit or stand from 7 to 8 a.m. (no walking) and identify as many species as we can by sight and sound. This Little Sit is an abbreviated version of the 24-hour Big Sit birding events. Contact Robert Bystrom (robertbystrom1@gmail.com).

Jay Cooke State Park

Join the park naturalist on a walk to learn about spring wildflowers. Find out some identification tips and tricks and where to find the prettiest flowers in the park. Meet at the River Inn Interpretive Center. (1-218-673-7011, mndnr.gov).

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday

See a slide show about wildflowers in the area before hitting the trail to see what's in bloom. Meet at the interpretive center. (1-320-532-3269, mndnr.gov)

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Learn the basics of shooting safely and accurately. Shoot at stationary targets and from an elevated platform. Equipment provided. Cost is $10. Make reservations by Friday. Call Call 763-559-6700. The program is for ages 14 and older. (threeriversparks.org)

Silverwood Park

Noon-1:30 p.m. Sunday

Learn about Silver Lake's animals, and conduct a water quality test. Equipment provided. Cost is $10. Reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700. This program is for ages 6 and older. (threeriversparks.org)

Fish Lake Regional Park

A program will dig into some of the recreational opportunities in Three Rivers Park District for people with disabilities. Try adapted mountain bikes, kayaks, archery equipment and geocaching. Cost is $7. Reservations are required Friday. Call 763-559-6700. This program is open to all ages. (threeriversparks.org)

Bird banding

Whitewater State Park

12:30-2 p.m. Sunday