Talks With Matt: Fauna at the Arboretum

Matt Schuth holding fauna from the Arboretum in a classroom

Photo by Johanna DeBuhr

Date

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 11 a.m.-noon

Fee

$15 member/$35 non-member, includes Arboretum admission

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Program location: Farm at the Arb - McVay Learning Lab (in the Bee Center)

Age

Adult 18+

Instructor: Matt Schuth, Naturalist, Author and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum expert for more than 40 years. Discover the awakening natural world around you through Matt's wealth of wisdom, trivia and wit. 

As the temperature drops, join Matt for a cozy talk indoors about the fauna of the Arboretum! Matt will have on display some of the 125 specimens of mammals, birds, nests, eggs and more in the Arboretum collection. 

This show and tell class will include: 

  • An up-close look at a variety of the fauna that lives at the Arboretum, including opossum, sandhill crane, elephant bird, flying squirrel, wood duck, American kestrel, Baltimore oriole and others
  • Interactions between these animals and the ecosystems of our 1,200 acres.
  • Matt’s signature storytelling style that will leave you with a greater appreciation for nature

Supplies: No additional supplies will be needed.

Maximum participants
60
Arboretum entry instructions

We recommend that you enter the Arboretum via the back gate on 82nd St, not the main entrance on Hwy 5. This is the most direct route to access the Farm at the Arb, and avoids potential delays when driving through the Arboretum.

Address: Farm at the Arb Entrance Gate

If you do wish to enter through the main Arboretum gate on Hwy 5, you can take 3-Mile Drive through the Arboretum and turn right on Peter Moe Drive to get to the Myers Education Center (this route may take an additional 15-20 minutes, so please plan accordingly).

Main Entry instructions:
You will receive a bar-code ticket for entry to the Arboretum in your email purchase confirmation. Your ticket is valid for entry on the day of your class. Present your ticket to the gate attendant as you enter the Arboretum. You may stay at the Arboretum after class as long as you want during our operating hours. want during our operating hours.