Lake Maria State Park will host a “Leave-no-trace” camping program at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 2, in the park’s interpretive center. Presenting the program will be Mary Ewert-Knodell, an outdoor education instructor at North Hennepin Community College for the past 11 years. She is well-acquainted with Lake Maria since she frequently brings camping and hiking students to the park. She also has led camping groups to Colorado, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Superior Hiking Trail on the North Shore. Knodell emphasizes to her students the need to practice leave-no-trace principles so our children and grandchildren can enjoy beautiful wilderness areas the same as we do now. “This will be an especially educational and beneficial program for scouting, religious and other youth groups, as well as adults,” said Mark Crawford, park manager at Lake Maria. The program is free, but a $7 daily vehicle fee will be charged. There is no vehicle charge if you have an annual park permit. For more information and for directions to the park, call the park office at (763) 878-2325.
