Welcome to the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom Advocacy Committee site
Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly and purple bee balm. Photo taken by Gary Bank
How did a forgotten, trash strewn, buckthorn infested, random bike trail riddled woodland become an outdoor learning area? A group of local neighbors and St. Paul Park and Recreation worked together to make this amazing transformation happen. The Como Woodland is a place for you to explore and study, listen to birds, see a fox, take a photo of a wildflower in the spring, and learn about this history and story behind Como Park and the Woodland.
Come see for yourself and explore the trails! download a map to find the woodland within larger Como Park.
If you are a teacher, bring your students to listen, write, draw, study, collect data, have a quiet space. For teachers bringing students, the first step is to request a free permit at 651-266-6400. These FREE permits will help to track numbers and activities for grant reporting and maintain an appropriate level of use for the environmental health and sustainability of the outdoor classroom.
Be part of this continuing transformation. Here are ways you can be involved:
- There are both ongoing and periodic volunteer activities to help control the invasive species and assist with planting desired species.
- Join the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom Advocacy Committee. Members of this committee advocate for the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the woodland, they help with volunteer restoration and educational events, and they can help teachers get started in an outdoor classroom experience for their students.
- Do you have interpretive or science skills? Can you ID birds, trees, flowers, or butterflies? Because there is no dedicated paid staff to lead students and teachers that visit the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom, your skills and time could be valuable. Contact the Como Woodland Advocacy Committee Chair for more information.
UPCOMING NEWS AND EVENTS 2026
All events meet at Kilmer Fireplace (1151 Como Ave, St Paul, MN 55108) unless otherwise noted
Winter Tour and Scavenger Hunt
February 21, 2026
1-2:30pm
More details to come
Past Events:
October 2025
Storytime and Crafts in the Woodland
October 11, 2025
9-10am
Description: Join us to enjoy nature themed story books, make a craft project, and partake in a self guided tour of the woods to greet the day. All ages welcome; storybooks read will be geared towards elementary age and younger. Children must attend with an adult.
July 2025
Dragonfly & Damselfly tour of Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom
July 19, 2025
1-2:30pm
Description: Come learn about the life cycles of these fascinating insects, also known as odonates, how to distinguish between them, and how to catch and identify them. Suitable for all ages; children must attend with an adult.
June 2025
Wild Ones tour
June 22, 2025
1pm
May 2025
10-year Anniversay Event
May 28, 2025
4pm
April 2025
Citywide Cleanup
City Nature Challenge (CNC) - informal meeting on April 26, 10am
Winter Tour of Como Woodland for 2025 Wrap Up :
On Saturday February 15, 2025, members of the Como Woodland Advocacy Committe, joined by members of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, hosted a scavenger hunt in the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. Four groups used compasses to follow paths, stopping at stations to learn about nature during winter. A red-tailed hawk made a surprise appearance as well.
Thank you to the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy for providing treats!
We've Changed our name to Como Woodland Advocacy Committee to fit our committee's evolving mission.
