Long Lake Conservation Center (LLCC) is a year-round residential environmental learning center, the first of it’s kind in the State of Minnesota. About 8,000 youth and adults visit LLCC each year. LLCC’s mission is to promote wise use of natural resources and foster proper conservation citizenship by making students aware of the interdependence of humans and the environment. Several loops of hiking trails get visitors close to the birds and animals found at the Center. During the winter, in addition to the walking trails, LLCC has several groomed ski trails, which are accessible through the Minnesota Ski Pass System.

The Center is located on 760 acres of natural beauty, comprised of Long Lake, forests, bogs, and marsh in an ideal location for teaching youth about the environment and conservation of natural resources. A large variety of plants, animals, and birds are seen on the campus grounds. White-tailed Deer, Red Fox, River Otter, American Beaver, and a variety of common small animals often show themselves as one sits quietly. Larger animals and birds seen during seasonal migration, including Gray Wolf, Black Bear, Bobcat, displaying American Woodcock, Ruffed Grouse, Common Loons, Tundra Swan, ducks and geese.

The LLCC campus is primarily an environmental education facility providing a variety of environmental and life science learning programs for youth from schools all over the State of Minnesota. Schools come to LLCC for typically a 3-day, 2-night visit. Some of these youth return for LLCC’s Summer Camp Programs. Many other groups utilize the facility for meetings, workshops, conferences, and retreats. Accommodations and dining are available for groups from 15 to 200+ people.

Directions: LLCC is located in the heart of Aitkin County just five miles south of Palisade. To get to LLCC, follow State Highway 210 east from Aitkin (or west from McGregor) to County Road 5 (marked with a green highway sign indicating Long Lake Conservation Center). Turn north on County Road 5 and travel for about three miles to County Road 88 (gravel). Turn right (east) and go about one more mile to where you will see the front gate to LLCC. Turn left just before the gate to come around to the main parking lot.

Contact Information: Director, Long Lake Conservation Center, 28952 438th Lane, Palisade, Minnesota 56469, Phone: 218-768-4653 or 800-450-5522, E-mail: llcc@llcc.org. Visit www.llcc.org for more information and a trails map.