SEPTEMBER 2021
THE LOWDOWN
11
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Belwin celebrates 50 years BY NOELLE OLSON STAFF WRITER
Within the St. Croix Valley lies 1,500 acres of prairies, savannas and woodlands. The Belwin Conservancy in Afton has encompassed these different topographies and diverse landscapes since 1971, 50 years ago. It will celebrate this anniversary at an open house celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. “All of our sites will be open, and we're going to have festivities such as storytelling, poetry readings, art and ecological activities for kids and families,” Program Director Sarah Haugh said. “Also, we will have live music throughout Belwin — out in the prairies and the forest.” Haugh said there will be guided hikes for all ages and abilities and a celebratory gathering at 2:30 p.m. at Belwin’s Education Center. “It's the original site built by Belwin in 1971, which was the beginning of Belwin.” Haugh also noted that visitors should dress for the weather, bring lawn chairs or blankets, and their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. Also, no dogs and bicycles are allowed on the trails. Parking is free. Belwin Conservancy is located at 1553 Stagecoach Trail South in Afton. For more information and updates, go to belwin.org/event/50th-open-house/.
A brief history of the Belwin Conservancy Charles H. Bell and Lucy Winton Bell purchased the property in Afton in 1958 as a family weekend retreat. Charles was the president and chairman at General Mills, which was founded by his father, James Ford Bell, in 1928. According to the Belwin Conservancy archives, conservation was always important to Lucy and Charlie. Over the years, they acquired several more parcels of land. By the late 1960s, they had accumulated far more property than they felt was needed for their weekend retreat. That’s when Lucy suggested they find a way to put the land to good public use. At that time, there was a growing awareness of diminishing wild spaces, water pollution and the lack of outdoor education for children. The Bells found themselves in a unique position to address these challenges and began to discuss options with local thought leaders for use of their property. In July 1970, Lucy and Charlie were introduced to Rodd Frye, the educator charged with finding land in the St. Croix Valley for an outdoor educational laboratory for the Saint Paul Public School district (SPPS). That October, SPPS and the Bells signed an agreement — the Bells would
BELWIN CONSERVANCY ARCHIVE | SUBMITTED
The early days of the Belwin Conservancy and it’s partnership with St. Paul schools.
donate 225 acres to a new nonprofit they would create, Belwin (a combination of their names, Bell and Winton), where SPPS could run their program free of charge. Belwin also built the necessary facilities for the program. According to the Belwin archives, when the couple met with Frye in the summer of 1970, he was taken with the property, noting that it provided insights into “a love affair with nature.” From that meeting a new partnership was born — Belwin Outdoor Education Laboratory, today referred to as Belwin Outdoor Science (BOS). When the first students arrived in November 1971, the program was an idea ahead of its time. As the outdoor science program became more successful, it grew to include students from other area schools, including Afton-Lakeland Elementary and Bayport Elementary (now Andersen Elementary). Since 1971, 600,000 children have participated in the Belwin Outdoor Science program. The couple’s daughter, Lucy Hartwell, was quoted as saying, “It’s so important for kids to experience the land and the quiet and the beauty of nature. Many of them never have had an opportunity to really reflect on that.” Staff Writer Noelle Olson can be reached at 651-407-1229 or lowdownnews@presspubs.com.
MAY VANG | SUBMITTED
Kids catching butterflies at one of the prairies at Belwin Conservancy.
Forest Lake
Collection Day Saturday, October 2nd, 10a - 5p Sunday, October 3rd, 10a - 4p
Saturday, September 11 & 18 · 8 am – 2 pm Bring unwanted household hazardous materials and electronics to the collection day event. Accepted materials include: automotive, household, yard & garden, and home improvement.
Lowell Park, Stillwater, MN One of the most popular and well-attended Art Festivals in the Midwest!
Location
Forest Lake Transit Center 19987 Fitzgerald Tr. N. dN Forest Lake, MN st R Fore YMCA 55025
140+ Fine Artists
Headwaters Service Center
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Live music throughout each day overlooking the beautiful St. Croix River!
Headwaters Pkwy
All items listed will be accepted from residents of Washington, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, and Ramsey counties only.
Enjoy a beer & wine tent and a variety of food selections!
More info: www.co.washington.mn.us/envirocenter | 651-275-7475
711929
Details at www.rivertownfallartfestival.com
711600
Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, is required.
