Why the Maple Syrup Fun Run? Hundreds of years ago, American Indians started making maple syrup or sugar which has become a long-standing tradition in Minnesota. In late winter/early spring when the temperatures get above 32 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and below 32 at night for a week or longer, sap starts to move in maple trees. When crows and bald eagles started to return, Ojibwe Indians knew it was time to move to the sugar bush. They would make tools out of birch bark, willow, and clay in order to collect sap and boil it. Many times they would boil sap until only maple sugar was left. This made it easier to transport and trade. To read more about the history and science of maple syruping, visit this article from the MN DNR website.

Today, River Bend Nature Center continues this tradition with the large sugar bush along racoon trail all the way to the Straight River. By May, the sap is cooked, bottled, and ready to be sold!

Your registration fee supports environmental education, outdoor recreation, and natural resource conservation. River Bend is a 501(c)(3) non-profit nature center that relies on donations, memberships, and fundraising events. Thank you!

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