What to Expect

No experience or special clothing is necessary, and you may participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable.

Logistics

To increase the accessibility of Mindful Mondays, a recording is made available to all registrants for one week after the session concludes. If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Bakken Center’s community relations office at [email protected]. 

Logistics

• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Natalie Metzger at [email protected].

What to Expect

Did you know the University of Minnesota has its own Conservatory in the Botanical Collection on the St. Paul Campus? It is a year-round vibrant oasis of green, growth, and peace, and it's open for all to enjoy. Come revive yourself among tropical palms, aromatic plants, and beautiful flowers from around the world. 

Logistics

• Space is limited. Please plan to arrive early to get settled.
• Location: CBS Conservatory & Botanical Collection, 1534 Gortner Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55108
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Bakken Center’s community relations office at [email protected]. 

What to Expect

All bodies, abilities, and experience levels are welcome. We do walk — but slowly, covering less than a mile over the full ninety minutes. There is no destination and nothing to achieve. Please share any accommodation needs when you register. This event happens rain or shine (unless conditions are unsafe, and you'll be notified of any changes).

A trained guide offers a series of simple invitations to notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel, followed by time to share if you wish and a closing moment of gratitude.

Logistics

• Cost: $15 for students, $30 for everyone else. Space is limited. Please plan to arrive early to get settled.
• Location: Hidden Falls Regional Park, North Entrance, 1313 Hidden Falls Dr, St. Paul, MN 55116 (meet at first parking lot at bottom of entry drive, near shelters).
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact Motz Studios at [email protected]. 

What to Expect

The public display is free and open between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays for walk-in visits and self-guided tours. Plan your visit and learn more. 

Logistics

• Location: CBS Conservatory & Botanical Collection, 1534 Gortner Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55108

What to Expect

This session is designed for all levels. All are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing so you can move freely. If you have a yoga mat, plan to use it. Have a chair ready as well.

Logistics

• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Natalie Metzger at [email protected].

What to Expect

Bring a pen or pencil for a few exercises to help you consider your own wellbeing.

Logistics

• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Natalie Metzger at [email protected].

What to Expect

As the air cools and leaves begin to turn, trees in autumn teach us a vital lesson in letting go while staying rooted, demonstrating that release is a natural and necessary part of life's cycle. Whether you're seeking rest, renewal, or inspiration, this session will offer a space of rejuvenation to attune to your inner energy and the natural world.

No experience is necessary, and you may participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Please bring something to write with and write on to the webinar.

Logistics

A recording will be made available to registrants, for those who would like to revisit the webinar or who are unable to attend the live webinar.

What to Expect

Stories for young people—and picture books, in particular—are uniquely suited to offer readers nuanced representations of emotion, collective action, and care. Participants will 1) experience two different frameworks for exploring climate emotions in literature to young people, 2) discuss criteria for selecting and evaluating quality picturebooks, and 3) share ideas for other ways to care for themselves and the other beings with whom we share our Earth.

Logistics

• This event is free and open to the general public.
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact Nick Kleese at [email protected]. 

What to Expect

Here’s your chance to rub shoulders with the glitterati of the beaver world, in special evening hours at the Bell! BeaverCON is an annual, international conference for wetlands and wildlife, held this fall at the University of Minnesota. Hear about why we’ve gathered together for the sake of beavers, and what beavers can teach us about making community. Try your hand at fun beaver-themed challenges, see beaver specimens from the Bell’s scientific collections, and learn about the giant beaver and why it’s the perfect state fossil for Minnesota.  

Logistics

• This is an in-person event open to the general public at the Bell Museum and is included in the cost of regular admission. 
• Location: Bell Museum, UMN St. Paul Campus
  2088 Larpenteur Avenue West, St Paul, MN 55113
  • Parking & Directions.
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Bell Museum at [email protected].

What to Expect

Experience the beauty of a special place in the Twin Cities! The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden is the oldest public native plant garden in the United States. Located in the heart of Minneapolis, it brings together a diverse collection of plants in woodland, wetland, and meadow habitats in just 18 acres. This unique garden started by Eloise (and others) has been carefully cultivated over 120 years by many hands into the wondrous place it is today. 

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden Florilegium captures the intimate details of the beautiful wild plants of this garden. A florilegium is a compendium of illustrations of the plants in a particular place, as a visual and historical record. Created by artists of the Minnesota School of Botanical Art, the project reclaims a centuries old form to highlight a special, public place that’s important today. It carries on a tradition of botanical illustration that brings together art and science to create accurate, yet expressive, depictions of living plants.

Logistics

• This exhibition is on view September 26, 2026 - January 3, 2027 at the Bell Museum and is included in the cost of regular admission. 
• Location: Bell Museum, UMN St. Paul Campus
  2088 Larpenteur Avenue West, St Paul, MN 55113
  • Parking & Directions.
• If you have any questions about this exhibition, please contact the Bell Museum at [email protected].
  

What to Expect

This gentle session invites participants to pause, breathe, and reflect. No experience is necessary, and you may participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Chairs and a limited number of yoga mats and cushions will be available to use or feel free to bring your own. Please bring something to write with and write on to the workshop.

Logistics

• This event is free and open to the general public. Space is limited. Please plan to arrive early to get settled.
• Location: Lindahl Founders Room, Northrop, UMN East Bank Campus
  84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
  • Parking & Directions.
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Bakken Center’s community relations office at [email protected]. 

Logistics

• Meet at the University of Minnesota Bike Center (401 SE Oak St, Minneapolis, MN 55414).
• Bring water, dress for the weather, please register so we can communicate if weather changes our plan, and all types of bikes and bikers are welcome!
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact Kate Nelson at [email protected]. 

How Sound Baths Help

Stress negatively affects health in nearly 76% of adults, contributing to headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Evidence shows that music-based interventions significantly improve both mental and physical stress outcomes. Sound baths support renewed calm, clarity, and focus.

What to Expect

Sometimes called vibroacoustic therapy, this practice engages the body at a cellular level, helping to release stress and restore balance. This programming is led by trained community wellbeing and creative facilitators and may include guest musicians.

No experience is necessary, and you may participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable. You can move around or simply rest while immersed in resonant waves of sound that are both heard and felt. Chairs and a limited number of yoga mats and cushions will be available to use or feel free to bring your own.

Logistics

• These events are free, and open to University staff, faculty, and students. Registration is required. Space is limited, so please plan to arrive early to get settled.
• Location: The Bakken Center’s Meditation Space (B-393), Third Floor, UMN East Bank Campus, Mayo Building (420 Delaware St. SE)
  • A U-Card is required to enter the Mayo Building.
  • Directions to the Meditation Space. 

What to Expect

You will need a UCard to enter the Health Sciences Education Center. Once in the building, take the elevators to the 7th floor, proceed down the long hallway, and take a left until you find the Wellbeing Studio! The Wellbeing Studio door will be slightly propped open during this drop-in event. 

Logistics

• Location: Health Sciences Education Center (HSEC), Wellbeing Studio, Room 7-162 (526 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455).
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Natalie Platt at [email protected].

What to Expect

PAWS is part of the University’s initiative to support student mental health. Come solo or bring a friend, and stay for five minutes or the entire session. Each PAWS animal has personalized Connection Cards for you to keep and help remind you of how PAWS made you feel. Whether you’re having a rough day, need a study break, or simply cannot resist a cute animal (we get it), PAWS is here for you.

Logistics

• Look for PAWS signs when you arrive to help you find that day’s location.
• Each PAWS session has lint rollers and hand sanitizer, and please do not bring personal food or treats for the animals.
• While the PAWS animals are usually on the floor, there is ample seating and tables to help all participants experience PAWS.
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Tanya K. Bailey at [email protected]. 

How Sound Baths Help

Stress negatively affects health in nearly 76% of adults, contributing to headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Evidence shows that music-based interventions significantly improve both mental and physical stress outcomes. Sound baths support renewed calm, clarity, and focus.

What to Expect

Sometimes called vibroacoustic therapy, this practice engages the body at a cellular level, helping to release stress and restore balance. This programming is led by trained community wellbeing and creative facilitators and may include guest musicians.

No experience is necessary, and you may participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable. You can move around or simply rest while immersed in resonant waves of sound that are both heard and felt. Chairs and a limited number of yoga mats and cushions will be available to use or feel free to bring your own.

Logistics

• These events are free, and open to University staff, faculty, and students. Registration is required. Space is limited, so please plan to arrive early to get settled.
• Location: The Bakken Center’s Meditation Space (B-393), Third Floor, UMN East Bank Campus, Mayo Building (420 Delaware St. SE)
  • A U-Card is required to enter the Mayo Building.
  • Directions to the Meditation Space.

Logistics

• Location: Room 007 in the Lower-Level of 318 Commons (Creativity Studio) 318 1st Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Jenny Casper at [email protected].

Logistics

• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Kristin Larson at  [email protected]. 

Logistics

• Location: Meet outside of the main entrance of Northrop, UMN East Bank Campus (84 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455).
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Kristin Larson at  [email protected]. 

Logistics

• Location: Intercultural Student Center (ISC) in the Student Life Center 150 S. Broadway, Rochester, MN 55904
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Sharonda Pugh at [email protected]. 

What to Expect

BeWELL creates intentional space, programming and activities to support the community and wellbeing of University of Minnesota students across disciplines at our health professional campuses - Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and Twin Cities.

At this event, you’ll have an opportunity to make a homemade craft that you can take home and continue to use for rest and relaxation; candle holders, wicks, wax, essential oils, flowers, stir sticks, and tea will all be provided. 

No experience is necessary, and you may drop in for as little or as long as you’d like. We encourage you to use the time to connect with folks outside of your own academic program!

Logistics

• Location: Health Sciences Education Center (HSEC), room 7-110 (526 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455).
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Natalie Platt at [email protected].

What to Expect

Bring your own craft or medium to work on or use the provided supplies, including paints, beads and bracelet-making materials, Lite Brites, Legos, Play Doh, coloring sheets, and more, to tap into your creative side. For those that would like to participate, Bakken Center Faculty Member Jenzi Silverman will share music and wellbeing practices including building playlists for mood improvement or finding your personal power song. 

Logistics

• Location: Beacon Room, 2nd Floor, RecWell (123 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455)
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Bakken Center’s community relations office at [email protected]. 

What to Expect

The event is held in RecWell’s sunny Beacon room with light calm music, providing a relaxing and open space to connect with others or have some time to yourself. The event allows students to connect, take a break, and show their creative side. Students are welcome to stay as long as they like, or even bring homework and use it as a study space.

Logistics

• Location: Beacon Room, 2nd Floor, RecWell (123 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455)
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact: Olivia Wicker at [email protected].