We have added an additional ID training session for our friends in Northern Minnesota on May 2nd 2026 at the Sax Zim Welcome Center

 Saturday April 11th

From 10am - 3pm

Richardson Nature Center

8737 E Bush Lake Rd Bloomingtom, MN

MDS Summer Gathering 2025 details

Join us at Itasca State Park August 8-10, 2025 for our long-awaited summer gathering!

Gathering details

Two participation options- full weekend or field trip only.

Full weekend

• Arrive Friday, August 8
• Day-long field trip Saturday, August 9
• Two options: light (mobility-sensitive) & moderate (off-trail & uneven ground)
• Depart Sunday, August 10
• Lodging: shared cabins at the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories in Itasca State Park
• due to limited space and to keep costs down, we cannot guarantee private rooms
• each participant will have their own bed & can request cabinmates (names &/or gender)
• See the station's website for general information on dining and lodging and life at the station, including what to bring.
• Dining: Itasca Biological Station dining hall. Includes:
• Friday dinner
• Saturday packed lunch
• Saturday dinner
• Sunday brunch
• Transportation:
• Participants encouraged to carpool
• Caravan to the field trip sites

Field trip only

• Arrive Saturday, August 9
• Day-long field trip (8:45am-4:30pm)
• Two options: light (mobility-sensitive) & moderate (off-trail & uneven ground)
• Bring your own lunch & snacks
• Station facilities & amenities only available to those lodging at Itasca Biological Station

Schedule:

• Friday 
• 2-4pm pre-gathering NatSci public event
• 3-6pm Arrive and settle into cabins
• 6pm Dinner in dining hall

• 7pm Campfire & Station/MDS Welcome with Emily Schilling & Kurt Mead

• Saturday
• Breakfast on your own
• 8:00am Dining hall to make your lunch 
• 8:45am gather outside of cabin 70  [day registrants join here]
• 9am depart for field trip
• 4:30pm arrive back at the station [day registrants depart here]
• 5pm Dinner in dining hall
• 6:30pm gather to share what we found in a classroom, setup with scopes

• 8pm Campfire

• Sunday
• 9am Station store open
• 10am Brunch in dining hall

• 11am Depart [cabins must be vacated by 11am]

Registration & cost

• Register using this form.
• Full weekend: $100+* donation (covers dining, lodging, & space use at the Itasca station)
• Field trip only: $30+ donation
• A MN State Park permit is required for Itasca State Park and is not included in the above costs.

*Thanks to the generosity of MDS members and other donors, we are able to offer this subsidized rate rather than charging our full dining & lodging costs. Additional donations are welcome.

We hope you can join us! If you have questions, please email info@mndragonfly.org.

MDS Summer Gathering 2025: Itasca State Park

 Save the date!  Registration link and more information coming soon.

Please email any questions to info@mndragonfly.org.

Dragonfly Identification Training Workshop 2025

 

We are happy spring has officially sprung!  No news of migrating odes in Minnesota yet, but we're anxiously awaiting those first common green darner and other dragonfly friends.

To help get ready for a busy summer of chasing dragonflies, MDS is hosting a dragonfly ID training event.  We hope you can join us!

Date: Saturday, April 12

Location: Tettegouche State Park

Time: 10 am – 3 pm

Cost: $20 per person/$10 for active MDS members

Space is limited to 25 participants; pre-registration required.

Register Here!

Training led by MDS Board Members:

•  Kurt Mead - MDS Founder, Naturalist, and Author of Dragonflies of the Northwoods

•  Jeff Fischer - Photographer, Webmaster, and Past President of the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society

For more information or if you have questions, please email info@mndragonfly.org.

  Tettegouche State Park

Click here to Register

For more information contact us at Info@mndragonfly.org

Annual Meeting & Gathering 2025

 

Join us Sunday, January 19th, for the 2025
MN Dragonfly Society Annual Meeting
and Gathering!

There are two options to join: in-person or on Zoom.
Please follow the steps below to register and join. 

1) Register using this form.  

• We will use this information for both in-person (to help us assess refreshment & setup needs) and Zoom (to send the meeting link & password).
• Please register by noon on Saturday, January 18th, to ensure we have enough snacks &/or you receive the Zoom link.
• In-person walk-ins will be welcome if space is available.
• You may want to double-check your email as you enter it into the form to ensure you receive the Zoom link (if applicable).

2) If you're joining in-person: 

• Meet at Eastman Nature Center (13351 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN) and park in the lot.
• Enjoy socializing, presentations, snacks, & the chance to support MDS through our silent auction and merchandise/membership purchases.

3) If you're joining on Zoom:

• If you register by noon on January 18th, we will send an email with a Zoom link and password, sent that evening or the morning of the event.
• You may want to add info@mndragonfly.org to your safe sender list to ensure this email isn't caught by spam filters.

Meeting agenda*:

• 12:00  Social time: refreshments, silent auction, & merchandise/membership sales
• 12:30  Business meeting: MDS 2024 overview & Board/bylaw voting
• 12:50  Speaker: Ron Lawrenz- "Minnesota’s Roadside Odes" Travelogue
• 1:45  Break/silent auction
• 2:00  Speaker: Cathy 'Perk' Perkins- "Thanksgiving Dinner with Lance Grande" (damselfly fossils from the Eocene)
• 2:40  Final comments: invitation to 2025 field events & official meeting close
• 3:00  Social time & silent auction
• 3:30  Silent auction close
• 4:00  End of gathering

*This is a mostly informal gathering; agenda times are approximate & subject to change.

As always, this gathering is free, but donations are always appreciated.  If you would like to donate items to our silent auction, please email info@mndragonfly.org before the end of the day on Wednesday, January 15th. 

Whether you join us in-person or on Zoom, we look forward to seeing you!   And if you can't join us this time, we hope to see you at a future event or out in the field.  Happy 2025! 

Spring Dragonfly Identification & Volunteer Trainings

Join us for the first MDS-led Dragonfly ID & Volunteer Trainings in five years! 

Get ready for a busy summer of chasing dragonflies by joining Minnesota Dragonfly Society Board members for dragonfly identification &/or volunteer trainings this spring!

When: Sunday, April 21, 2024 (see specific session times below)

Where: William O'Brien State Park*

Register here

Dragonfly Identification Training

Whether you're unsure of the difference between dragonflies and damselflies, you just want an ID refresher, or anywhere in between, explore preserved specimens and photographs to learn the process and fundamentals of dragonfly identification in a guided, small-group setting.  As there will likely be no dragonflies on the wing at this time, this will be an indoor event.

Choose one of two sessions: 9-11am or 1-3pm. 

Cost: $20 donation per person/$10 for active MDS members (scholarships available).  Limit 15 participants.  Pre-registration strongly recommended; space may not be available for walk-ins.

Led by MDS Board Members:

• MDS Founder, Naturalist, and Author of Dragonflies of the Northwoods- Kurt Mead

• Photographer, Webmaster, and President of the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society- Jeff Fischer

Volunteer Training

Thinking about becoming a volunteer for MDS?  Want to help us share more excitement and knowledge about dragonflies?  Currently volunteering through MDS but want a refresher, updates, or information on how to become a lead volunteer?  Join us for a volunteer training!

Choose one or both sessions: 

• General volunteer training: 11am-noon
  Learn how easy it is to help out at MDS events, programs, surveys, and bioblitzes, and all the tools and equipment that may be available.  All that's required is an interest in dragonflies/damselflies and a willingness to share your interest with others. 

• Lead volunteer training: 3-4pm
  We can't say 'yes' to event requests without our lead volunteers, and we could really use more help.  Learn all the components of being a lead volunteer and how you can help get the word out about both MDS and dragonflies/damselflies.

Cost: free!  Limit 15 participants.  Pre-registration strongly recommended; space may not be available for walk-ins.

Led by Naturalist and President/Volunteer Coordinator of the Minnesota Dragonfly Society, Leah Darst.

*Note- a Minnesota State Park annual permit or day pass is required to enter and park at William O'Brien.  If you'd like to purchase one in advance, you can buy one here.

Registration bonus

If you register on or before April 19, you can purchase one piece of MDS merchandise (shirt or hat) at a $10 discount.  Any additional shirts or hats can be purchased at a $5 discount.  You can either add your purchase to your registration payment (with a note) or wait to pay for your MDS gear the day of the event.  Limited shirt colors and styles available.  

Questions?  Feel free to email us at info@mndragonfly.org.

MDS Annual Meeting & Gathering 2024

Join us Saturday, January 27th, for the 2024 MN Dragonfly Society Annual Meeting and Gathering!

There are two options to join: in-person or on Zoom.
Please follow the steps below to register and join. 

1) Register using this form.  

• We will use this information for both in-person (to help us assess food & setup needs) and Zoom (to send the meeting link & password).
• Please register by noon on Friday, January 26th, to ensure we have enough food &/or you receive the Zoom link.
• In-person walk-ins will be welcome if space is available.
• You may want to double-check your email as you enter it into the form to ensure you receive the Zoom link (if applicable).

2) If you're joining in-person: 

• After registering, go to the farm entrance of Dodge Nature Center (1701 Charlton Street in West St. Paul).
• Park in the lot.
• Walk up the paved trail to the white building on the right.
• Enter the building using the door on the right/north side of the building, near the clear garage doors.
• Enjoy socializing, presentations, food, & the chance to support MDS through our silent auction and merchandise/membership purchases.

3) If you're joining us on Zoom:

• If you registered, you should receive an email with a link and password to join the meeting.  This will likely be emailed on the evening of Friday, January 26th.
• You may want to add info@mndragonfly.org to your safe sender list to ensure this email isn't caught by spam filters.

MDS Annual Meeting & Gathering 2023

Join the Minnesota Dragonfly Society on Saturday, January 28th for our first-ever *hybrid* Annual Meeting & Gathering!  You have two options to join:

1. In-person: go to the farm entrance of Dodge Nature Center (1701 Charlton Street in West St. Paul), park in the lot, then walk up the paved trail to the white building on the right, & enter on the right side of the building near the clear garage doors.
2. Virtually on Zoom: register here.  After registering, you will receive an email with a separate link that can be used to join the meeting.  Registration is required to join us on Zoom.

In-person guests can enjoy socializing, presentations, activities, food, & the chance to support MDS through our silent auction & merchandise purchases.  (Last chance to buy the current t-shirt design before it's retired; limited sizes and colors available!)

If all goes as planned (cross your tarsi!), registered Zoom guests can watch the presentations, socializing, & odonata art gallery slideshow, & can send questions for our speakers through Zoom's chat feature. 

Agenda*:

• 12:00-12:30  Food/mingling
• 12:30-1:00  Business meeting
• 1:00-1:40  Virtual Presenter: Steve Valley, “The Art and Science of Dragonfly Photography”
• 1:40-2:00  Break and silent auction
• 2:00-2:30  Live Presenters: Kerrie Schaefer and Lily Erickson, Augsburg students studying odonates
• 2:30- 2:45  Break/ close out auction
• 2:45-3:30  Live Presenter: Ron Lawrenz, dragonfly research year-in-review
• 3:30-4:00  Final comments, mingling, and auction cash-out  

*This is an informal gathering; agenda times are approximate.

As always, this gathering is free, but donations are always appreciated.  If you would like to donate items for our silent auction or contribute artwork to our odonata art gallery, please email info@mndragonfly.org before the end of the day on Wednesday, January 18th. 

Whether you join us in-person or on Zoom, we look forward to seeing you!   And if you can't join us this time, we hope to see you at a future event or out in the field.  Happy new year! 

MDS Annual Meeting & Gathering 2022

Join the Minnesota Dragonfly Society on January 29th at noon (CST) for the 2022 edition of the MDS Annual Meeting and Gathering (virtually, of course)!  Enjoy presentations (see details below), view our odonata art submissions, and test your odonate knowledge with our dragonfly and damselfly-themed trivia. Come laugh, socialize, learn, and be part of our community. Registration is required (see link below). After registering, you will receive an email with a separate link that can be used to join the meeting. 

Zoom Meeting Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../tZEsc...

Agenda:

12:00-12:10  Welcome and Introduction

12:10-12:40  Business meeting (election of board, treasurer’s report, committee updates)

12:40-1:20  Keynote speech Dr. Melissa Sanchez Herrera (with Q&A)

1:20-1:30 Break (art show entries slideshow)

1:30-2:00  Bill Mauffray speech (with Q&A)

2:00-2:10 Break (art show entries slideshow)

2:10-3:00 Trivia

3:00 End Meeting

We look forward to seeing you!

---

Dragonfly Art Show

Our second virtual annual meeting wouldn't be complete without our second dragonfly art submission and contest!  Create your own dragonfly- or damselfly-inspired artwork and submit it to our (virtual) show.  Express yourself in any medium you prefer; whether it be a drawing, painting, poem, or even interpretive dance!  All ages and skill levels are welcome to submit art.  There will also be a contest for ages 3-20, with the chance to win an aerial net or Dragonflies of the Northwoods ID book.  Submissions will be shared during the annual meeting and on the MDS Facebook group.  All dragonfly artwork must be submitted before the end of the day on Wednesday, January 20th.

Submissions can be made at: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfollkg1Y9.../viewform...

---

2022 Meeting Presenters

In line with the Odolympics this year that encouraged folks from North, Central, and South America to survey dragonflies and damselflies throughout the Americas, our two main speakers for our 2022 Annual Meeting are focusing on work outside of Minnesota.  

Dr. Melissa Sanchez is the President of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas and will speak about the damselflies of Colombia.

Dr. Bill Mauffray is the Managing Director of the International Odonata Research Institute and will speak about the odonata collection in Gainsville, Florida.

A big thanks to Drs. Sanchez and Mauffray for being willing to speak with us!

 

We are in the process of developing our first formal strategic plan, and we could really use your help!  Please complete the survey linked below to help MDS plan how to best meet the expectations of our audience and fulfill our mission “To ensure the conservation of Minnesota's dragonflies and damselflies through research and education".  Every survey response will be reviewed and will have a direct impact in our future planning.  

https://forms.gle/RqDpGLouMmFC13sf6

 

This survey will be open from now until March 31^st and should take you approximately 15-25 minutes to complete.  You can take this survey via PC or mobile device.  A summary of our results will be posted on our website, www.mndragonfly.org.  Thank you for your participation!

 

MDS Annual Meeting & Gathering goes virtual with presentations, trivia, and an art contest!

MDS *Virtual* Annual Meeting and Gathering

Saturday, January 30th, 2021

    Join us on Zoom on Saturday, January 30th for our 2021 MDS Annual Meeting and Gathering!  All are invited to attend.  Starting at 1:00pm, we will have presentations, trivia, MDS updates, and a chance to win a dragonfly book or sweep net!  (See contest details below.)  This will also be a great opportunity to buy or renew your membership, check out our MDS swag, ask questions, and find out what's going on in the world of odonates and MDS.  The meeting will be held on Zoom, so get comfy, grab a mug of something warm, and tune in!  

   Limited space is available- please register to ensure your spot and get the link to join the meeting.  (Note- registration is required but can be done day-of as long as spaces are still available.)

    Agenda*: 

12:45 Zoom room opens/art submissions slideshow

1:00 MDS membership meeting & 2020 overview

1:15 Dragonfly Nymph Form and Function (presentation/Q&A), by Marla Garrison 

-art submissions slideshow in 5 minute break between speakers-

2:15 Canada Darner Migration (presentation/Q&A), by Emily Schilling 

-art submissions slideshow in any free time between speakers-

3:00 2020 Odonate Research Review (presentation/Q&A), by Ron Lawrenz

3:30 Dragonfly & Damselfly Group Trivia

4:00 Wrap-up (Dragonfly Nymph Award, how to buy MDS swag/memberships, & good bye)

*Please note- start times are approximate and may take place ~10-15 minutes before or after the listed time. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding! This event is free, but donations are always welcome to help us ensure the conservation of Minnesota's dragonflies and damselflies through research and education. Click on the 'donate' link or become a member at the bottom of the home page.

Dragonfly Dazzle Art Submissions & Contest
    Why do you love dragonflies and damselflies, and why do you think they're important?  Answer these questions via your own original artwork in the form of your choice: drawing, painting, writing, video, photograph, sculpture, interpretive dance; however you want to express yourself!  All skill levels are welcome to participate.

    Submit a photo, video, or document of your artistic answer by filling out this form with your name, age, and submission description before the end of the day Wednesday, January 20th.  Time allowing, your submission(s) will be shared during our annual meeting on January 30th and on our MDS Facebook group page.

   

Dragonfly Nymph Award- If you are between the ages of 4-20, you can also choose to have your submission considered to win an aerial sweep net and/or a Dragonflies of the North Woods (3rd edition) dragonfly identification book, by MDS founder, Kurt Mead.  Prizes will be awarded based on creativity, originality, and age group.  Only ages 4-20 will be considered for the prizes, but all submissions are welcome.

   FAQ:

• Can I submit someone else's artwork?  No, you should only submit your own original artwork.
• How many submissions can I enter?  There is no limit to the number of art submissions you enter, but only one prize will be given to each contest winner (ages 4-20) and we may not be able to display all of the submissions during our annual meeting.
• What if I don't want my artwork shared?  If you fill out the submission form, you can choose where you give permission for us to share your artwork.
• What is the deadline for submissions?  All submissions should be entered via the Google form before the end of the day on Wednesday, January 20th.  (This deadline was extended from the 18th.)  This will give the MDS Board time to vote on Dragonfly Nymph Award winners & post submissions into a Powerpoint for the meeting.
• Do I need to attend the meeting to win a prize?  While we would love to have everyone join us for our virtual annual meeting/gathering, no, you do not need to attend the meeting on January 30th to win a prize.
  
• Do I need to live in Minnesota to win a prize?  You do not need to live in Minnesota but do need to be able to arrange pick-up in the south metro area of the twin cities in order to win a prize.  (Sorry; shipping can be quite expensive!)

    

Save the Dates!

June 7th - 9th go Clubbing with the MDS

Join the MDS for the 2019 Minnesota Dragonfly Gathering.

This year we will join the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for a combined event at Interstate Park on the shores of the 
St Croix River

The event begins Friday June 7th at 5pm at the 
St Croix Falls Public Library





A pre-event trip will meet at the parking lot of the
Minnesota side of Interstate Park
on Friday at 10am

Free space is available for tent camping at the group campgrounds.  

Space is limited so email MDG@mndragonfly.org to reserve a spot

Species that we hope to find include:

Midland Clubtail

Rapids Clubtail

Green-faced Clubtail

Dragonhunter

St Croix Snaketail

Rusty Snaketail

Ebony Jewelwing

River Jewelwing

and more

The Minnesota Dragonfly Society would like to thank everyone that donated during the "give to the MAX event.

A special thanks goes to:

Jill Jacoby
Mark Citsay
Duane Mann
Kim Nowicki
Clinton Nienhaus
Gretchen Mehmel
Kurt Mead
David Doyle
Andy Birkey
Shawn Goodchild
Heather Hundt
Jeff Fischer
Vera Wong
Curt Oien
Peg Furshong
Sandy Irish-Oien

Your support will help MDS to continue its mission of

Ensuring the Conservation of Minnesota’s Dragonflies 

and Damselflies through Research and Education

Here are 5 reasons why you should consider making a donation to the
Minnesota Dragonfly Society through "give to the MAX" today.

1) Because the MDS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization your donation today is tax deductible.

2) Your donation today may help to pay for supplies and logistics costs for doing dragonfly surveys around the state.

3) Your donation today may go further because of bonus prizes awarded by "give to the MAX" through out the day. This includes a $10,000 bonus which is randomly chosen.

4) Your donation today can help pay for MDS outreach. MDS participates at events around Minnesota typically free of charge.

5) Your donation today can help pay costs for dragonfly educational programs. Some of these costs include nets and field guides for participants to use, informational had outs and travel costs.

Please consider donating to the Minnesota Dragonfly Society today!

You can find our "give to the MAX" page

Here

MDS Volunteer Training 2018

Happy spring!  The dragonfly flight season is almost upon us and the Minnesota Dragonfly Society invites you to join us at one of our many upcoming events, surveys, and more!

This year, we’re offering a brand new training for MDS members as well as current and future volunteers.  Find out about the many volunteer opportunities MDS has to offer, learn how you can be more involved with MDS, and learn or refresh your adult dragonfly and damselfly ID skills in both an indoor lab and outdoor field session (weather permitting).   Check out the flyer and detailed schedule below, then please RSVP to reserve your space for this training if you're interested in volunteering with MDS!

It will be a busy field season and there are many great ways to get involved with MDS.  This is your opportunity to learn more and brush up on your skills before your first net swing! We hope to see you at the training or at another MDS event in the near future. Happy ode-ing!
-Leah Darst, MDS Volunteer Coordinator.

Approximate schedule for this training:

• 10:00- Meet and mingle; light refreshments served
• 10:30- Welcome!
• Dragonfly/damselfly biology basics
• MDS & volunteering overview
• Event and survey tools overview
• 11:45- Break*
• 12:00- Dragonfly & damselfly ID basics
• Presentation
• Outdoor field survey (weather permitting)
• Indoor ID lab
• 2:00- Wrap-up and optional continuation of field/lab time for those who are interested
• 3:00- Training end.  Thanks for attending and we hope to see you at our events and surveys!

*We encourage participants to bring their own lunch.

If you have any questions about this training, please e-mail the MDS Volunteer Coordinator.

 

The Minnesota Dragonfly Society will be hosting the

2018 Annual Meeting of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas.

 

The event will take place up on the North Shore of Lake Superior

at Wolf Ridge Environmental Leaning Center

from July 11th through the 17th

with a pre-trip in the Twin Cities on July 10th and 11th.

 

Click here for more information or to register.

Minnesota Dragonfly Gathering

Put July 6th through the 9th on your calendar because you will not want to miss the 2017 Minnesota Dragonfly Gathering. More information will follow soon.