During the week of Sept. 7, several bug-related adventures are available for families to participate in, and there’s also a chance to take a walk in the park and to check out some recycled art.

In the north metro

+ “Dragonfly Collecting” is offered from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 at Eastman Nature Center in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Join a naturalist to search out and collect dragonflies for the Minnesota Dragonfly Survey Project. This free activity is appropriate for ages 5 and up.

+ “Free family Fundays: A Bee or Not a Bee” is ongoing from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 at Kroening Interpretive Center in North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis. What makes a bee a bee and a wasp a wasp? See examples of these interesting and helpful insects. Visit the prairie to see what they are doing this time of year. All ages welcome.

+ “Buzzin' Busy Bees” takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at Eastman Nature Center. Spy on bees in an active hive. Participants are close enough to see and hear the bees, but protected behind a screen. Learn how these busy sisters find nectar, run a hive and make honey. Operate an extractor and taste honey. Cost is $5 per person (20 percent discount for families or groups) and all ages are welcome.

+ “Art of the River” is from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at Kroening Interpretive Center. Join muralist Michael Sweere for the unveiling of his found-object mosaic, “The Mississippi: A River of Life.” This colorful depiction of the plants and animals of the river is made of recycled material. Find out how it is done and make your own mural or sculpture of recycled and natural objects. Refreshments provided. The cost is $5 and all ages are welcome.

In the west metro

+ “A Walk in the Park: Woodland Wonders” is offered from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 at Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve, Victoria. A forest is full of life! Join a naturalist for a guided hike into the woods in search of life above and below the leaves. Learn what's happening in nature as animals begin to prepare for the arrival of cold Minnesota weather. The activity is free and for all ages.

+ “September Garden Tour with Arla” takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Noerenberg Gardens on Crystal Bay of Lake Minnetonka, Orono. Enjoy the changing beauty of the gardens with Three Rivers Park District's Horticulture Supervisor Arla Carmichiel. During these tours, Arla will share her knowledge of plants and garden design. She will answer questions and share thoughts on the garden as the summer progresses. The cost is $5 and the activity is appropriate for all ages.

In the south metro

+ “Marvelous Monarchs” runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 at Richardson Nature Center in Hyland Park Reserve, Bloomington. Monarch butterflies start their migration to Mexico in late August. Use a net and try to catch one of these marvels. Learn about a national research project and discover how monarchs are tagged. The cost is $5 and ages 3 and older are welcome.