Events
Upcoming events.
We host monthly local meetups with the intention of making outdoor recreation more approachable and accessible. These free events include entry-level outdoor recreation activities like hiking, climbing, and paddling. In addition to these meetups, we occasionally offer a guided retreat to somewhere local in the driftless region or further away, like the Superior Hiking Trail. We aim to deliver an experience that deepens your connection to the outdoors.
Wilderness Weekends with Emily Gorman
Wilderness Weekends is a program led by environmental educator Emily Gorman, designed to explore and educate participants about the diverse ecosystems and environmental treasures surrounding Winona County, Minnesota. This program offers an exciting opportunity for nature enthusiasts, students, families, and anyone passionate about environmental education to engage with the natural world through immersive activities that invite us to dive deeper into our understanding of nature.
April Meetup: Pedals and Pints
Join us for a community "no-drop" bike ride to Flyway Trail, starting at Two Fathoms Brewing, where we will help you tune up your bike for a safe and comfortable journey.
Wilderness Weekends with Emily
Wilderness Weekends, led by Emily Gorman, is an environmental education program offering an immersive experience to explore the ecosystems and ecological treasures of Winona County. Join us to discover, appreciate, and protect the region's natural wonders.
Wilderness Weekends with Emily
Join our next Wilderness Weekend program for a beginner look at wildlife ecology as we observe landscapes within the driftless region and hypothesize about what animal survival has looked like over time. This family friendly event will take place at Farmers Park in Stockton, MN where we will observe the environment around us, discuss different animals found in the area, and determine what factors impact animal populations and the important role each species plays in an ecosystem.
The goal of this program is to engage children, families, and active adults by discussing wildlife populations throughout time, observing the surrounding landscapes, and determining the four basic needs for animal survival. During this program, attendees will gain knowledge regarding animals' access to resources in the driftless region and will be given the opportunity to hypothesize how animal survival has changed over time and what factors may influence those changes.
Meeting Location: The park's address is Farmers Community Park, 23011 County Road 120, Winona, MN 55987. You can find us at the first shelter on the left-hand side as you enter the park.
Free to Attend!
Inclusions
Equipment
Exclusions
Personal Items
Accessibility Information
Free/No Cost
Parking
Bathroom Access (best case - visitor center; worst case - portapotties!)
Please reach out to us via email for additional accommodations.
*Registration is capped at 20 participants.
Event Leader | Contact Information
Emily Gorman (she/her)
Credentials: Certified Interpretive Guide, CPR/First Aid Certified
emily@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
February Meetup
Join us for an exciting day of outdoor exploration and play at our upcoming event! We will be providing multiple stations that offer different activities to engage in and encourage outdoor play.
Take a hike or snowshoe (depending on the weather) on one of our three trails that increase in intensity depending on your interests and abilities.
Participate in a nature-based scavenger hunt that is self-guided and full of fun surprises.
Take part in our mindfulness walk and inner child play, where you can engage with a series of prompts along the trail that encourage interactive and gentle play with nature.
And, if you're feeling crafty, we have environmentally-focused crafts and activities that provide interactive play with nature-based elements.
We will have an indoor space available to warm up and dry off and refreshments for folks as they spend time with us at the event. This is an open-house-style event, so come and go as you please! We can't wait to see you there and spend a day full of fun and adventure together.
This program is possible thanks to funding from the Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation.
Parking: Parking is available at Holzinger Lodge. For additional parking, head to the south overflow lot or park alongside the road.
Bathroom Access: Yes
Cost: Free
Inclusions: Refreshments, indoor bathrooms, all materials to engage with activities, including snowshoe rentals (all sizes, including youth).
Registration is REQUIRED for this event. Please complete a waiver/photo release - the link is provided below.
Please send us an email for additional accommodations at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Event Leader | Contact Info
Chelsi Low (she/her)
chelsi@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Event Organizer | Contact Info
Alexa Shapiro (she/her)
alexa@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Winter Warm-Up: Snowshoeing in the Backwaters
Get ready to embrace the winter wonderland right here in Winona! The Winona Outdoor Collaborative welcomes you to a breathtaking snowshoe hike through the picturesque backwaters of the Mississippi River.
Our group will embark on a 2 - 3 mile trek deep into the stunning backwaters, where tranquility meets an untouched winter landscape. Our goal is to explore and immerse ourselves in the serene beauty of this hidden gem. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a novice explorer, this hike suits all abilities and ages. Bring your friends, family, and curiosity for a memorable winter expedition!
We are grateful to Merchants Bank for sponsoring this program through our corporate partners program.
Parking Instructions: Parking is available at Mertes Slough. Turn into the Mertes Slough boat landing and find parking at any available stall. If the lot is full, additional parking can be found alongside the road leading in and out of Winona east of the Winona Bridge.
Bathroom Access: None
Cost: Free to Attend
Inclusions: Snowshoes, trekking poles, microspikes
Exclusions: Personal items for warmth and comfort
Registration is REQUIRED for this event and will be open on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
Send us an email for additional accommodations at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Registration will close on Friday, January 19, 2024.
Please complete a waiver/photo release - the link is provided below.
Trip Leader | Contact Information
Paul Schollmeier (he/him)
paul@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Event Coordinator | Contact Information
Alexa Shapiro (she/her)
alexa@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
tracings: a guided creative nature walk
Join Winona based dance/interdisciplinary artist Sharon Mansur and WOC Executive Director Alexa Shapiro for “tracings: a guided creative nature walk.” This is a guided group stroll that honors the natural environment, and walking as both an everyday shared experience, and the artistic expression of tracing an embodied line through a landscape to honor that place.
You are invited to engage in the physical act of walking through breath and body sensing. Explore and respond to your surroundings through observations, visual and written reflections and group sharings. Experience the act of slowing down, tuning into self, and being in community. Appreciate subtle details and moments that might be overlooked in daily life.
Session One: 1:00p to 2:30p
Session Two: 4:00p to 5:30p
Please wear suitable clothing and shoes, and bring water. Other supplies will be provided. This will be a small group experience so advance registration will be required. Each session will be 90 minutes, including an introduction and brief discussion at the end. We will make frequent stops along the way to engage with nature and explore our senses.
Accessibility: This will be an easy level walk at a leisurely pace, no elevation, suitable for general walkers of all levels. The Aghaming Park segment is a dirt and sand path, and the Flyway Trail is paved. Send us an email for additional accommodations at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Parking Instructions: Park at Latsch Beach and then walk over the Wagon Bridge towards the Flyway Trail. We’ll meet at the trailhead for Aghamming Park.
Bathroom Access: Portapotty available at Latsch Beach
Cost: Free to Attend
Inclusions: Guided instruction, no equipment needed
Exclusions: Personal items like water bottles, layers for weather, sunscreen
Support: This activity is made possible through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council in cooperation with a private foundation. The development of tracings has also been generously supported by residencies at Lanesboro Arts and The YES! House.
Upcoming: Join Sharon again on Saturday, October 7th @ 2pm for “tracings: dance film screening + community sharing” at the Winona Arts Center. Free admission, no reservations needed. Presented in partnership with the Frozen River Film Festival. www.mansurdance.com/tracings
Registration is REQUIRED for this event and will close on September 8. Please complete a waiver/photo release - the link is provided below.
Event Leader | Contact Information
Sharon Mansur (she/her)
Sharon is an Arab/SWANA (Southwest Asian/North African) American experimental dance and interdisciplinary artist, curator, educator, and community mover and shaker based in Winona, MN, Dakota land. She loves creating artistic opportunities for people to connect and engage. Mansur’s performances, visual installations and screendance projects have been presented throughout the U.S, and internationally. Sharon curates The Cedar Tree Project, amplifying art and artists from the Arab /SWANA diaspora, and SHIFT~ experimental performance salons. She has taught and facilitated creative group experiences for over thirty years in a variety of settings for youth and adults, ranging from universities, community centers, yoga studios, outdoors in nature and the built environment.
Event Coordinator | Contact Information
Alexa Shapiro (she/her)
760-274-7493
alexa@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Open Paddle Meetup!
Join us for an evening of paddling on the beautiful Mississippi River through Blackbird Slough! We excited to host another paddle event at the Prairie Island Boat Launch in Winona, MN.
Whether you’re an experienced paddler or just starting out, this event is for you! We’ll provide everything you need, including canoes, life jackets, and paddles. All you need to bring is a sense of adventure and a willingness to have fun!
Parking Instructions: Please park in the Prairie Island Boat Launch parking lot
Bathroom Access: Yes
Cost: Free to Attend
Inclusions: Canoe, life jacket, paddle
Exclusions: Sunscreen, bug spray, water, snacks
Send us an email for additional accomodations at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Please complete a waiver/photo release - the link is provided below.
We realize folks might have questions about how we intend to keep you safe on the water. Checkout our local experiences page and scroll down to the “paddle policies” section to learn more.
Trip Leader | Contact Information
Claire Severson (she/her)
Credentials: Wilderness First Responder, B.S. Recreation and Tourism
claire@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Open Climb!
Join us for another open climb event at Sugarloaf Bluff! This event is open house style, so you can come and go as you please. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, this event is for YOU! Pack your water bottles and sunscreen and meet up with us for a climb.
Parking Instructions: Please park alongside the road, staying out of the Edina Reality parking lot
Bathroom Access: None
Cost: Free to Attend
Inclusions: Climbing harnesses, ropes, belayers, helmets, instruction
Exclusions: Climbing shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, water
Send us an email for additional accomodations at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Please complete a waiver/photo release - the link is provided below.
Trip Leader | Contact Information
Sydney Bockelman (she/her)
Credentials: Wilderness First Responder, Single Pitch Climbing Instructor
sydney@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Trip Leader | Contact Information
Alexa Shapiro (she/her)
Credentials: Wilderness First Responder, Masters in Recreation Management, 200 Hour Yoga Instructor
Open Paddle!
Join us for an evening of paddling on the beautiful Mississippi River! The Winona Outdoor Collaborative is excited to host an open-house style paddle event at the Prairie Island Boat Launch in Winona, MN.
Whether you’re an experienced paddler or just starting out, this event is for you! We’ll provide everything you need, including canoes, life jackets, and paddles. All you need to bring is a sense of adventure and a willingness to have fun!
Parking Instructions: Please park in the Prairie Island Boat Launch parking lot
Bathroom Access: No
Cost: Free to Attend
Inclusions: Canoe, life jacket, paddle
Exclusions: Sunscreen, bug spray, water, snacks
Send us an email for additional accomodations at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Please complete a waiver/photo release - the link is provided below.
We realize folks might have questions about how we intend to keep you safe on the water. Checkout our local experiences page and scroll down to the “paddle policies” section to learn more.
Trip Leader | Contact Information
Claire Severson (she/her)
Credentials: Wilderness First Responder, B.S. Recreation and Tourism
claire@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
Night Paddling at Perrot State Park
Transition into fall with a night paddle during the full moon! John Carrier is a former Naturalist with Perrot State Park, and is excited to bring back one of his favorite programs: night kayaking throughout the trees on the beautiful Mississippi. We’ll start at the Perrot State Park Nature Center and meet John for a brief tutorial, and then set off in our kayaks at sunset as the darkness sets in. We’ll call for owls and be guided by the moonlight throughout the trees - come experience the driftless in a new and unique way.
Former kayaking experience is preferred. The price covers the cost of kayak, pfd, and paddle rentals through The Friends of Perrot State Park. We’ll meet at the Perrot State Park Nature Center (linked here: Perrot SP Nature Center) at 6:30PM on Saturday, September 10th. We’ll start paddling in single kayaks around sunset at 7:26PM for about 2 hours. We’ll end back at the Nature Center after a night on the water!
Dress in layers and bring a drybag for gear if desired. Please note that a Wisconsin State Parks pass is required - day and yearly passes are available for purchase at the park. Don’t forget to bring a friend! We hope to see you there!
Registration Required, Max of 15 Participants
Frequently Asked Questions
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The outdoors offers a great opportunity to explore the natural world, sometimes that means exploring it in less-than-ideal conditions. With few exceptions, WOC programs operate rain or shine. This gives us the opportunity to challenge ourselves to do hard things and advance our capacity to “survive” in the wilderness regardless of weather. Programs will be canceled if the weather makes it unsafe to recreate outside or if local ordinances limit access to trails or facilities. This can include seasonal considerations for tread impact on trails during the spring or lightning storms.
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WOC programs are intended to be inclusive of all experience levels. Each program has the opportunity to “level up” based on your past experience and existing fitness levels. If you are unsure if you will be able to comfortably participate in a program due to your fitness level, we highly recommend reaching out to program staff at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com to ask questions or to make requests for how the WOC can adapt the program to be inclusive of your needs.
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For paddling events, the weight limit is 625 lbs. For climbing events, the weight limit is dependent upon the rope but is over 1,000 lbs, at a minimum, for the ropes the WOC utilizes.
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There are no age limits for any WOC programs, however some adaptations may be necessary depending on the form of recreation. For example, school aged youth may not fit in small climbing harnesses and instead require a full body harness. For all WOC programs, any adaptations will be listed on the program event page on the website for younger participants.
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Programs are always hosted in outdoor spaces, meaning bathroom availability may be limited. When a program is hosted at a City of Winona property, like Holzinger/Bluffside Trail or Sugarloaf, portable bathrooms are available at the trailhead. For programs hosted at non City of Winona properties, bathrooms may not be available. For these programs, we recommend that participants bring their favorite form of reusable toilet paper OR a ditty bag and toilet paper, and utilize the great outdoors for bathroom use following Leave No Trace practices. For more information about how to go in the woods, click here.
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Cancellation policies vary depending on the program. Contracted Guiding, Retreat Guiding, Local Experience Guiding, and Workshops are all events that require a payment. (Click on the word to see the policy). Meet-ups do not have a cancellation policy, however we appreciate participants letting us know if they can no longer make it to a program that requires registration. The cancel registration for a meet-up, email the WOC at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com
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GREAT! Here at the WOC, we firmly believe that anyone can do something new and challenging in the outdoors, regardless of their experience. We provide the tools to try something new, including instruction, equipment, and support. We encourage everyone to participate in programs, regardless of their experience level. If you have concerns about your ability to participate in a program, we encourage you to reach out to the program coordinator at info@winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com.
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WOC provides equipment for most programs, with few exceptions. For retreats or guided services (contracted or local), participants may be asked to bring specific personal items like headlamps, camp pillows, or camp chairs. These lists are provided to participants upon registration. At times, the WOC may be able to provide some of this equipment to select participants based on needs. When you register for a retreat or guided service, you will be put in contact with our retreat coordinator, who can discuss this with you in full. For all additional programs, including meet-ups and workshops, the WOC will provide all equipment needs unless otherwise noted on our website.