Overview of Our Natural Lands
St. Olaf College’s Natural Lands — more than 420 acres of restored native tallgrass prairie, wetlands, and woodlands adjoining the campus — provide an ideal outdoor laboratory for the sciences and environmental preservation.
Since 1992, 17 wetlands and 150 acres of native prairie have been restored. A reforestation project has resulted in more than 40,000 tree seedlings and nursery stock being planted by students.
The diverse native species that grow in the Natural Lands also contain many tons of carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as CO2, making the Natural Lands a successful carbon sequestration site.
Each year the Curator of Natural Lands chooses several students who are familiar with the environment around campus and the Northfield area to be the college Student Naturalists.
Student Naturalists organize and lead field trips related to the local environment, create and maintain an information board detailing seasonal happenings and natural events on campus, organize tree plantings and other restoration activities on campus, and create environmental education opportunities for the community.
More Resources
Current Updates
History of the Natural Lands
Meet the Naturalists
