Belwin Conservancy

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 fi nd 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 fi nding 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

The early days of the Belwin Conservancy and it’s partnership with St. Paul schools.

BELWIN CONSERVANCY ARCHIVE | SUBMITTED

donate 225 acres to a new nonprofi t 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 fi rst 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 refl ect on that.” Staff Writer Noelle Olson can be reached at 651-407-1229 or lowdownnews@presspubs.com.

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Kids catching butterfl ies at one of the prairies at Belwin Conservancy.

Saturday, October 2nd, 10a - 5p Sunday, October 3rd, 10a - 4p Lowell Park, Stillwater, MN One of the most popular and well-attended Art Festivals in the Midwest!

140+ Fine Artists Forest Lake Collection Day

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.

Location

Forest Lake Transit Center 19987 Fitzgerald Tr. N. Forest Lake, MN 55025

Forest Rd N

YMCA Headwaters Service Center

Live music throughout each day overlooking the beautiful St. Croix River! Enjoy a beer & wine tent and a variety of food selections!

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Headwaters Pkwy

All items listed will be accepted from residents of Washington, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, and Ramsey counties only. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, is required.