It's maple syrup-making time at some Minnesota state parks

That bottle of maple syrup that most of us take for granted, represents both a ritual and tradition among American Indians. Going to the sugarbush each spring to harvest tree sap and make it into maple sugar and syrup retains its importance in Indian culture. It's also finding a place in the lives of hundreds of visitors who come to maple syrup-making programs scheduled in March and April in Minnesota's state parks.

AN ANCIENT TRADITION

The public interest in maple syrup making programs is growing, according to Dave Crawford, park naturalist at Wild River State Park. "Each spring we host eight or more programs on maple syrup making," he said.

Visitors learn the history and method of tapping trees and making syrup. Participants can choose to sit in on the programs or register in advance with the park to have a hands-on experience. Visitors who participate in the hands-on programs also get to take home a share of the syrup.

PARK PROGRAMS TEACH HOW TO MAKE MAPLE SYRUP

Several state parks have programs that teach visitors about tapping trees and making syrup. At Fort Snelling State Park, naturalist Linda Radimecky has taught many visitors how to tap their own trees.

"The workshop, called 'Maple syruping in your backyard,' has been the park's most popular program over the years," Radimecky said.

"We've taught hundreds and hundreds of people how to do it."

One man who took the workshop at Fort Snelling went on to win a ribbon at the state fair for the maple syrup he made from his own trees.

"The process of tapping the trees, collecting the sap, and making syrup and sugar has not changed in hundreds of years," Radimecky added. "The one thing that has changed is the equipment. Metal or plastic taps are now used instead of the sumac taps the Indians used. At Fort Snelling, we use the syrup from silver maples since that is the predominant type of maple in the park."

The following includes a schedule of maple syrup programs being held at state parks this spring. Programs at Whitewater, Sibley and the hands-on programs at Wild River require participants to call the park in advance to register because workshop size is limited. No advance registration is needed for the programs at Fort Snelling or Lake Maria state parks or if visitors just want to sit in on a session at Wild River State Park to learn the history and method of tapping trees and making syrup.

For details about the programs, visit the DNR events calendar at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

MAPLE SYRUP PROGRAMS IN MINNESOTA STATE PARKS

MARCH 5

Tap, Tap, Tap! It's maple syruping time, Fort Snelling 1 p.m.

MARCH 11

Maple syruping in your backyard, Fort Snelling 1 p.m.

*Maple syrup from tap to table: Tapping a tree, Wild River 1 p.m.

MARCH 12

Maple syruping in your backyard, Fort Snelling 1 p.m.

*Maple syrup from tap to table: Tapping a tree, Wild River 1 p.m.

MARCH 18

Maple syruping in your backyard, Fort Snelling 1 p.m.

*Maple syruping demonstration, Sibley 2-3 p.m.

*It's maple syrup making time for the whole family, Whitewater 1-3 p.m.

*Maple syrup from tap to table: Tapping a tree, Wild River 1 p.m.

MARCH 19

*Maple syrup from tap to table: Tapping a tree, Wild River 1 p.m.

Maple syruping in your backyard, Fort Snelling 1 p.m.

MARCH 25

Maple syruping in your backyard, Fort Snelling 1 p.m.

Maple syruping demonstration, Lake Maria (anytime from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

*Maple syruping demonstration, Sibley 2-3 p.m.

*It's maple syrup making time for the whole family, Whitewater 1-3 p.m.

MARCH 26

Maple syruping in your backyard, Fort Snelling 1 p.m.

Maple syruping demonstration, Lake Maria (anytime from 11a.m.- 2 p.m.)

APRIL 1

*Maple syrup from tap to table: Making syrup, Wild River 9 a.m.-4p.m.

*It's maple syrup making time for the whole family, Whitewater 1-3 p.m.

APRIL 2

*Maple syrup from tap to table: Making syrup, Wild River 9 a.m.-4p.m.

APRIL 8

*Maple syrup from tap to table: Making syrup, Wild River 9 a.m.-4p.m.

APRIL 9

*Maple syrup from tap to table: Making syrup, Wild River 9 a.m.-4p.m.

*Call park to register in advance for these workshops. Advance registration for Wild River programs is needed only for hands-on participation in the workshops. Register by calling Dave Crawford at (651) 583-2925.