Valley Osprey Nest Tour Takes Flight

Some auction prizes last a moment. Others create memories that soar.

On July 7, the winners of a special experience from Sustainable Stillwater MN's 2025 Fall Gala silent auction joined Bird City Program Leader Allison McGinnis for a Valley Osprey Nest Tour.

As one of the region's dedicated osprey nest monitors, Allison spends many hours tracking seven local nests throughout the breeding season. From arrival dates and nest building to hatching, fledging, and everything in between, her observations help contribute valuable data to Minnesota's statewide osprey monitoring efforts.

During the tour, guests visited several nesting sites and got a firsthand look at these incredible birds that have learned to thrive alongside people, often building nests on man-made structures throughout the St. Croix Valley.

The experience left a lasting impression.

One participant shared, "This was such a great learning experience... I literally went right back to my studio and made two Osprey sculptures!"

Others described the tour as "an amazing experience," thanked Allison for sharing her expertise, and appreciated learning about osprey parenting, nesting behaviors, and conservation.

Beyond the birds, the tour sparked meaningful conversations and even opened the door to potential future partnerships—proof that connecting people with nature can inspire creativity, curiosity, and community.

Allison McGinnis

A huge thank you to Allison for generously donating this one-of-a-kind experience to our Fall Gala and for the incredible work she does helping protect and monitor one of Minnesota's most iconic birds of prey.

Here's to many more opportunities to look up, learn, and be inspired by the wildlife that calls the St. Croix Valley home.