ISD 625-Saint Paul Public Schools

At Belwin Conservancy, we spark passion for wild places. Through immersive community programs and environmental education, we inspire and engage people in the care of natural areas. Through land protection and habitat restoration, we revive threatened ecosystems so wildlife can thrive for generations to come. From protecting 200 acres of land in the 1960s to over 1500 acres today, Belwin has grown over the years to address the challenges of diminishing wild spaces, water pollution, and the lack of outdoor education for children. Beginning in 1970, Belwin partnered with Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) to provide outdoor science field trips to every third and fifth grader in the district. Today, Belwin continues to partner with SPPS, as well as other organizations, including Anishinabe Academy, Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, Minnesota Astronomical Society, and more to provide guests access to wild spaces. To learn more about Belwin, including public hiking locations, visit belwin.org.

Jim worked as a Special Education teacher at Belwin for over 18 years. He serves as a Naturalist for the Belwin Conservancy and helps conduct the annual bird survey. For the past six years he has been monitoring and protecting the local Blanding's turtle population.