The Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center, founded in 1967, is a nonprofit organization in Minnesota. The center's properties are West St. Paul, Mendota Heights and Cottage Grove and contain nature preserves, community gardens, a working model farm, a nature education-based preschool, a raptor center and a bee aviary. Its revenue streams and program offerings have grown over the years. The center's 40 educational programs serve over 50,000 visitors annually with the help of 1,400 volunteers and approximately 20 paid staff.[1]