Nature Connected Professionals: Spring Gathering 2026

Welcome, everyone, to the next Gathering of the Nature-Connected Professionals.

(We did not do a Winter Gathering this year. There was a lot going on in this city that needed our attention ...)

The NCP gatherings are generative opportunities to connect with like-minded community members who share a passion for partnering with nature in their work. We encourage all professions to participate. We have many therapists, health care providers, wellness/coaching folks, educators, naturalists, artists, and more who attend. We'll gather to nurture our growing professional community and the natural world along the river for a stewardship river clean up and networking while we work.

When: Friday, April 24, 2:00–4:30. Optional social gathering follows nearby until 6:30. See agenda below. Attend any part—join for the River Clean Up, Happy Hour, or both!
Where: Boom Island Park (entrance/parking furthest north, near picnic pavilions and Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours - 724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Our intention is to:

• Engage in collective action to develop our Nature-Connected Professionals community with the river as a guide.
• Develop waste-awareness because it’s not just about picking up the trash and shuffling it off to another place.
• Build self-efficacy with small actions that make a difference.

We’ve partnered with Fresh Water and their Adopt a River toolkit. Supplies provided include gloves, bags, buckets, grabbers, and safety vests.

Arrive prepared: Wear long pants, rubber boots/appropriate footwear and bring gloves if you have them. Also consider sun protection, snacks, and water.

Accessibility: Limited parking nearby, accessible by bus. Trails and restrooms located within walking distance.

• Recyclables collected with white bags.
• Artist Emma Crutcher of Cool Trash accepts clean #2 plastics.
• Ridwell members handle Multi-Layer Plastic or Film.
• Sharps disposal container will be available.
• Other trash in yellow bags via Minneapolis waste system.

Additional resource: Water is Love documentary – watch 5-minute animation at 25:00.

We gather as professionals who see nature as integral to our work. All fields welcome. We meet seasonally to grow our connection with nature and each other.

Questions? Contact Megan Hadley: [email protected]
In case of inclement weather, our alternative date is May 8, 2026.

Registration is free and open to all. Please register by April 17 if possible to help us with planning.

Info: Creative and fun introductions! Facilitator guidance about the WHY of being there and working together. A song or two!

Info: Working together to clean up trash along the river.

Info: Gathering our supplies and reflecting on our work together, followed by an open invitation to share a call to action or professional event information with the group.

Info: Join us afterward for a social hour across the river at Pyres Brewing, about a 30-minute walk (1.2 miles) or a short drive. Pyres has a great outdoor patio, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, good pizza, and other fun happy hour food. We will gather there to continue getting to know each other and celebrate a spring Friday! Feel free to invite other friends or colleagues, even if they did not make it to the river clean up!

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Host or Publisher Minneapolis Nature-Based Therapy