Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Westwood Hills Nature Center, located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, protects 150 acres of native prairie, oak savanna, oak woodland, and wetland habitat only minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Established in 1971, the preserve serves as an important urban refuge for local wildlife and native plants, maintaining one of the last remaining tracts of natural habitat in the metro area. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, steep ravines, and expanses of restored prairie grasses and wildflowers. The center is dedicated to environmental education and community engagement through its interpretive trails, wildlife observation opportunities, and school programs. Visitors can explore nearly 3 miles of well-marked trails that provide access to diverse ecosystems, including wetlands populated by frogs and turtles, hardwood forests sheltering white-tailed deer, and tallgrass prairies buzzing with pollinators. Seasonal events focus on birdwatching, native plant gardening, and insect identification, enhancing visitor appreciation of local ecology. Westwood Hills also features a nature center building with exhibits, classrooms, and resource materials to support both casual visitors and educators. This protected green space offers a quiet escape within the urban setting, inviting families, hikers, naturalists, and photographers to experience the changing seasons and encounter native wildlife in an area dedicated to conservation and restoration.
