Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary
Visitor’s Guide for Educators
Must we always teach our children with books?
Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above.
Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth.
They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.
- David Polis
Lower Phalen Creek Project
Meg Cavalier
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Introduction: The Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary is a unique 27-acre city park
and natural area in the Mississippi River corridor, just east of Downtown Saint
Paul. A former contaminated rail yard that opened as a city park in 2005, the
sanctuary is home to towering bluffs, spring-fed wetlands, remnants of
Minnesota’s industrial history and Wakan Tipi/Carver’s Cave, a site sacred to the
Dakota. The park provides unique opportunities for students to experience the
many resources nature has to offer!
There is much in the name: “Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary.” It is named in honor
of Bruce Vento, a native of the east side of Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was a local
public school teacher who was also our United States Representative for this
district from 1977 until his death in 2000. Bruce Vento loved the natural world
and worked hard for its protection. This place is a memorial to him as a person,
to what he valued and to what he worked so hard to protect.
It is called a “nature” sanctuary because of its location on the outside of a large
ancient bend in the Mississippi River and because it is increasingly becoming a
more natural place. Thanks to human efforts to restore the site to reflect more
native habitat conditions, and to protect the site from being degraded once again,
it is a place where the visitor can increasingly see a wide variety of birds, wildlife,
plants and natural habitat conditions.
We call it a “sanctuary” because within it is located the Dakota site called Wakan
Tipi (Spirit House), an historic cave that is considered sacred ground by the
Dakota people It is also a sanctuary in the sense that it is a place of refuge where
people can come to visit, reflect and show respect for our cultural and natural
heritage.
This guide serves as a resource for teachers to assist in the process of planning
and implementing a successful field trip. Curriculum for the Sanctuary has been
designed and should be implemented in three sessions: an introduction lesson,
fieldwork and a follow up lesson. Fieldwork is an important component of each
topic. Teachers and students will have the opportunity to see and experience
learning! On behalf of the Lower Phalen Creek Project and the Friends and
Family of the late Bruce Vento, we hope you enjoy and find value in the many
natural resources the sanctuary provides!
Lower Phalen Creek Project
Meg Cavalier
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Volunteers and Safety: As in all educational settings, safety is a top priority
when bringing students into the community. Adult supervision is critical to
ensuring that all students are safe and participate. Be sure that all adults
understand the expectations and learning activities. Recommended adult to
student ratios are as follows: Elementary 1 to 10, Middle level 1 to 12 and
Secondary 1 to 15.
General or basic expectations for students could include: stay with the group,
listen to adults and be aware of your surroundings.
There are three ponds and a freshwater stream at the Bruce Vento Nature
Sanctuary. Maintain constant supervision of students while near water, especially
those under 12.
First Aid: Most districts have policies surrounding how the field trip coordinator
should be prepared for emergencies, as well as meeting students’ less serious
health needs. Be sure to bring contact information for student families, the school
or district as well as local paramedics. A cell phone and first aid kit enable the
teacher to be prepared for the unexpected. The school nurse can provide
information about allergies or medications that you may need to be aware of for a
specific student.
Groups and learning tasks: The outdoors can be an engaging, exciting and
meaningful classroom. Preparing students for the learning tasks can make the
difference! Assigning small learning groups and giving students designated roles
will also increase time on task. Roles could include recorder, monitor (are
students on task?), time-keeper, supply manager and leaver no ‘tracer’.
Clearly explaining to students and adults what the learning task is up front will
create opportunities for students to complete the observation, experiment or
project. Showing students maps and doing work ahead of time will encourage
effective use of the resources at the park.
Clothing and fieldwork: Students should wear closed toed shoes and long
pants. There are groomed paths throughout the park, but they want to explore in
high grass. Layers enable students to be comfortable throughout the day whether
it is windy, sunny, or raining. Groups will likely split their time with walking and
group activities.
Season: The Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary is open 365 days a year. Each
season offers picturesque views and unique plant and wildlife activity. The
freshwater stream that runs through the sanctuary is consistently 56 degrees.
The year round open water source ensures that you will see wildlife in the park
on the coldest of days!
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Meg Cavalier
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Bathrooms: In the warmer months, one portable bathroom is located at the
sanctuary near the parking lot. Students should however not expect to use the
facility, as their group will be walking throughout the park.
Leave No Trace, Food and Water: There is not a water source or picnic facility
at the sanctuary. Groups are welcome to bring their lunches. Please take the
opportunity to teach students about Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace: Center for
Outdoor Ethics has many relevant resources. National Park Service has a short
informative video that you may find helpful.
Resources: Current available resources include the following:
 A video tour of the sanctuary including five-minute tour “stations” that
provide educational information on the sanctuary’s sacred cave, geology,
rail history, brewing history, ecological restoration and Dakota life along
the Mississippi River here. (Available for viewing or downloading online or
as a DVD)
 Science lessons that meet key state standards for seventh and eightgrade students prepared by licensed science teacher Meg Cavalier.
 Lessons providing American Indian perspectives on science learning
prepared by Dakota Educator and licensed science teacher Jim Rock.
 Waders and water testing equipment for loan.
 Laminated images to bring on site.
 Printed sanctuary guides and maps of the local trail system.
 Examples of art inspired by the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary
Links to all of these resources are available at www.lowerphalencreek.org
Experts potentially available to provide on-site education include Dakota
educator Jim Rock (rocksalt@ties2.net) and educators from the National Park
Service or Saint Paul Parks and Recreation.
Getting there: Reimbursement for transportation is available! Please contact
Sarah Clark of the Lower Phalen Creek Project for more information.
Click here for a map. Directions:
The Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary is located near the intersection of East Fourth
Street and Commercial Street, just east of Saint Paul's Lowertown neighborhood
at the foot of Dayton's Bluff. The Kellogg Bridge runs along the northwest
boundary of the sanctuary, which lies below it.
If you are coming from the west, take the Mounds Boulevard exit off of Interstate
94, turn right, crossing Kellogg/East Third Street. Stay right, and take a sharp
right turn on Commercial Street then go down the hill to the first intersection
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(Fourth Street).
From the east, take the Mounds Boulevard exit off I-94 and turn left before
making a quick right turn on Commercial Street and following the directions
above.
An off-road bicycle/pedestrian trail along Commercial Street provides great
bicycle access from the trail network along Mounds Bluff.
From Lowertown, begin at the corner of East Fifth Street and Broadway (across
the street from the northeast edge of the Saint Paul Farmers' Market.) Head east
on Fifth Street then turn right on John Street and left on East Fourth Street to the
sanctuary. You can drive this route - or bike or walk along the Bruce Vento
Regional Trail extension, an off road trail along Fourth Street. Note: This
connection has been partially or fully closed at times due to Central Corridor and
Lafayette Bridge construction.
The sanctuary also is within easy biking or walking distance from Swede Hollow
Park - when you emerge from the park at the trailhead at Payne Avenue and
East Seventh Street, just veer left toward the I-94 bridge. You will travel under
the I-94 bridge, loop over an abandoned rail bridge and down to the sanctuary.
Contact Information:
Meg Cavalier, Consultant meghancavalier@gmail.com
Sarah Clark, Lower Phalen Creek Project Director sclarkmmc@comcast.net
Lower Phalen Creek Project
Meg Cavalier
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