EVENTS

Joe Sausen, authority on birds, environmental advocate, and nature photographer: Birds are indicators of the health of our environment. They keep us attuned to changes in habitat and natural resources. Birds and native plants have evolved together and need one another to thrive.  Joe Sausen, will discuss the role of birds in our Midwest environment and their changing needs throughout the season. Joe is a well-known authority on birds within the Audubon community. He is a long-time advocate for environmental issues in Chisago County, a leader in the development of county trails, and a frequent speaker on environmental and habitat issues. Joe?s latest interest, nature photography, has added new perspective to his discussion of natural resources in our area.

Refreshments and socializing begin at 6:30 pm with the main program at 7 pm.

Saturday, February 20, 2016
Anderson Student Center on the St. Paul Campus of the University of St. Thomas??

Design with Nature 2016

Click for a Map

Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, St. Paul
LEARN . PROTECT . UNITE?? People for Pollinators Registration

Public concern over pollinator decline is overwhelming and justifiably so.?Over 425 of our native bee species are struggling, putting ecosystems and food supplies at risk. Minnesota beekeepers lost over 50% of their honey bee colonies last year.?Now is the time to make change.?Pollinator Friendly Alliance and Pollinate Minnesota invite you to join us for an in-depth symposium designed to inspire, connect and unite for a pollinator friendly Minnesota.?Learn about pollinators and their relationship to birds, wildlife and biodiversity, farm and urban habitat, pesticide and advocacy issues in a friendly and motivational environment.??We welcome all who want to help pollinators including educators, farmers, gardeners, city staff, elected officials, conservationists, and community organizers.

Local artist and printmaker Emily Gray Koehler uses plant material and a concern for the environment to create art with a message.

As a 2015 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, White Bear Lake artist Emily Gray Koehler chose to use this opportunity to explore her love of the environment and conservation in conjunction with her passion for the media of printmaking. In her ensuing series of prints entitled The Trespasser's Garden, Koehler investigated the ecology of invasive plants in Minnesota along with humanity's culpability in their introduction. She presented a narrative tour of these works and shared insights into her artistic process and investigative research at our chapter meeting on March 15, 2016.

Join us for socializing at 6:30 pm.
Program begins at 7:00 pm

Local Experts will host simultaneous table discussions in two back-to-back sessions. Bring your questions; attend two of these topics.

Backyard Composting: Reduce Waste and Improve Your Soil?- Paul Richtman, master gardener
Creating Habitat for Native Bees?- Tom Dickhudt, Owner, Sunrise Native Plants
Landscaping for the Birds?- Chase Davies, Saint Paul Audubon Society
Update on Three Major Problems - Emerald Ash Borer, Pine Bark Beetle, and Oak Wilt?- Kathy Widin, Arborist

Session One: 7:15-7:45
Refreshment Break
Session Two: 8:00-8:45

Free and Open to the Public?

Hometown Habitat?is a 90-minute environmental education documentary film showing how and why native plants are critical to the survival and vitality of local ecosystems. Entomologist?Doug Tallamy, whose research, books and lectures on the misuse of non-native plants in landscaping sound the alarm about habitat and species loss, provides the narrative thread throughout the film. The message:?"We can change the notion that humans are here and nature is some place else. It doesn't have to, and shouldn't be that way."?Each individual has the power to conserve resources, restore habitat for wildlife and bring beauty to their patch of earth.

Filmmaker?Catherine Zimmerman?is an award-winning director of photography. She is celebrating her 40th year as a documentary filmmaker, working primarily on education and environmental issues. Catherine is also a certified horticulturalist and landscape designer based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. She is accredited in organic land care.

Host and discussion leader?Heather Holm?is a local author, landscape designer, and consultant specializing in pollinator landscapes and native landscape restorations. She is a passionate advocate of the use of native plants to attract and support pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife in residential and commercial landscapes, organic farms, and restored landscapes.

See?more about the film?and?The Meadow Project here.

Saturday, May 14, 2016, 10:00 am to Noon
Meet before 10 am at kiosk in the parking lot at Browns Creek Park
Guides: Karen Kill, Brown's Creek Watershed District Administrator, Angela Anderson, formerly MN DNR Trails & Waterways.

Meet before 10 am at kiosk in the parking lot at Browns Creek Park
Guides: Karen Kill, Brown's Creek Watershed District Administrator, Angela Anderson, formerly MN DNR Trails & Waterways.

Learn more about Stillwater's newest trail for walking and biking. This paved trail runs along Brown's Creek, which is a trout stream and a community treasure. Walk along the trail with Karen and Angela and see the changes that have been made to preserve Brown's Creek's water quality and restore its aesthetics. The trail is perfect for most ages and abilities. Listen and look for birds, and enjoy the many native spring flowers. The walk will take us to the Stone Arch bridge, a historic landmark.

Round-trip, this walk is about 1.5 miles, but you can walk to your ability and return to the park and wait for others yo rejoin you. Bring brown bag lunch and join us at the park after the walk. Cold drinks provided. Bring brown bag lunch and join us at the park after the walk. Cold drinks provided.

Check out the photo gallery from our guided walking tour of Brown's Creek Trail here.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Program 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm | Join us for socializing and refreshments at 6:30 | Free and Open to the Public
FamilyMeans Building, 1875 Northwestern Ave., Stillwater

Tom Dickhudt, Owner, Sunrise Native Plants 

Local native nursery owner Tom Dickhudt invites everyone, including those of you new to growing native plants, to discover how planting 10' x 10' "pocket gardens" is a great way to add native plants to any yard, Enjoy the parade of pollinators you will attract into your landscape and the knowledge that, with each new garden planted, these valuable insects have more of the habitat that's essential to their survival.

Tom will discuss which plant varieties are particularly valuable for Minnesota pollinators. And he'll have tips for choosing a selection of plants that will bloom at different times throughout the season, providing reliable food sources for pollinators, and a dynamic garden that you can enjoy as it changes with the season.For more experienced native plant gardeners, Tom will demonstrate how such a dedicated garden area can add native habitat, allow you to closely observe how native plants develop throughout the season, and practice techniques for cultivating and propagating your plants, allowing you to expand your garden season after season.

24-hour event from May 20 to 21 will attempt to find and identify numerous species.
Local Wild Ones member Dave Crawford writes:

I'll be looking for and reporting on pollinators and native plants at the?Bioblitz May 20-21?at MN Interstate Park and WI?Interstate Park. I'm formally leading a group to survey pollinators beginning at 10 a.m. on the 21st, meeting at the MN?Interstate Park office a mile southwest of Taylors Falls.?All are welcome (and anyone who's good with pollinator ID is?ESPECIALLY welcome,?since I'm a beginner). You can survey as part of a group or on your own. Details are at the link?below. For a detailed schedule and map, look for a link about halfway down the bioblitz page.

https://www.nps.gov/sacn/learn/nature/bioblitz.htm

Bee a part of something great...

Come help us plant a pollinatir habitat.

http://www.pollinatorfriendly.org

This Saturday, May 21st,?join the?Pollinator Friendly Alliance?to break ground and plant gardens at the new pollinator park. Create habitat and forage for our beautiful bees and butterflies. ?At the corner of Owens and Laurel Streets in Stillwater, Minnesota. 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Email: ?[email protected]?for more detail.

Free and open to the public.

The Landscape Revival ? Native Plant Expo and Market offers gardeners one convenient location to shop for Minnesota native plants from 12 local native growers and to learn about the benefits and uses of native plants fm local conservation organizations. The goal of Landscape Revival is to promote the use of native plants by educating about their benefits for wildlife habitat, pollinators and water quality. The event is sponsored by Saint Paul Audubon, Capital Region Watershed District, Wild Ones, Blue Thumb and Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District.

Detailed information and a full list of participating growers and organizations can be found here.

Sunday, July?10, 2016, arrive 10:15?am for 10:30 am to 12:30 pm tour ??300 E. Cove Road, Hudson, WI ? ?Click?for a Map
Come up the?long driveway and park at the?little building and?port-a-potties.

Jyneen Thatcher?will be our field guide.?Jen Vieth, Executive Director of?Carpenter Nature Center, will be our host.?The savanna loop we'll follow is about 2 miles long, with a gradual downhill and a slightly?steeper uphill. Mowed trails, but not graveled. Expect some excursions off-trail to investigate blooming plants, but we'll?stay within a short distance if you?prefer?to remain?on the trail.? There is a bench at the top of the climb.?

It's easy to take 2 hours to walk the distance.?If you want?to skip the major part of the hike, you?can?still walk out to the edge of the bowl, where you?can watch the group make the tour, and enjoy?viewing the savanna in the distance. The silhouetted oaks are impressive. We're?not sure if there is a bench at that point, but we will have?several?collapsible chairs available and?we'll scout it out before you arrive.? It's a great spot to watch for birds. Loaner walking sticks will be available. Bring good footwear for the trail, insect repellent, and water.

PLAN TO JOIN US FOR LUNCH ON THE WAY HOME

Join us for lunch at?Azul Tequila?Mexican restaurant,?2421 Hanley Rd in Hudson.?Click for a Map.?On the way back to highway 94 on?Carmichael Road, turn left at Hanley. The restaurant is then on?your right through the parking lot.

INFORMATION: ?Roger Miller?email,?phone 651 275-0526.

Saturday, July?23, 2016
9:30 to 11:30 am ?Please?arrive by 9:30 to begin the tour.
10010 Tapestry Road, Lake Elmo?(Tapestry Development)

Click?for a Map

Tour?the landscape and restored prairie with?host and?homeowner?Pam Hartley?in the Tapestry Development,?10010 Tapestry Road, Lake Elmo. Pam has been a U of M Master Gardener for 20 years and is especially?interested in sustainable gardening. She has a degree in Landscape Design and Construction, and had a landscape business for several years. Pam?designed the landscape around the?home she and her husband?built in 2009. She chose a?mix of native plants and cultivars that?blend?well with the native plants surrounding the?property. ?

Prairie restoration of grasses and forbs (wildflowers) was begun?in 2010 and is now?maturing and attracting many pollinators. ?A beekeeper was invited to install hives on the property in 2015. ?

Plants which serve as anchors for the landscape are: 'Arctic Fire' dogwood, swamp milkweed, 'Phantom' Joe Pye weed, black-eyed Susan, 'Tara' prairie dropseed, little bluestem (both native and the cultivar 'Blue Heaven'), sneezeweed, blue vervain, and 'Autumn Joy' sedum. ?Pam will give us an introduction to the property and then you are welcome to wander and look at the beautiful landscape and prairie.?

INFORMATION:?Kathy Widin?email, phone?(651) 338-3651.

Sunday, August 7, 2016, 1:00 to about 6:00 pm
MN State Parks sticker or day pass required
Wild River State Park, Center City, MN

RSVP?to reserve one of eight available park canoes. FIrst come,?first served.

RSVP?requested if?you plan to join us with your own canoe or kayak.?This will let us anticipate the size of the whole group and we'll be able?alert you to?any last-minute changes in our trip plan.

Meet at the main Wild River boat landing between 1:00 and 1:30pm. Some of us plan to arrive at 12:30pm ?and have lunch ?together.

We'll shuttle together in?groups to our?put-in at Sunrise Landing upstream. We?paddle?downstream back to?the main Wild River landing.?The trip is about 4 hours long.? Bring bug spray, sun screen snacks, and non-alcholhalic drinks.?Check back for details as this is subject to change depending on conditions. See the Park map for details on put-in and take-out locations. To?RSVP?contact Tom Dickhudt?email, phone?(651) 257-4414.

Click?for a Wild River State Park Map

Mike Dunker, Park Naturalist, will be our guide. We'll paddle with the current, stopping along the route at different spots for Mike's narrative.?Bring your kayak or canoe, or contact Tom?to?reserve one of?a limited number of State Park canoes.?

RSVP & INFORMATION:?Tom Dickhudt?email.?phone?(651) 257-4414.
Stormy-weather?backup date Sunday, August 21.

This year?s Monarch Festival will occur on Saturday, September 10th?from?10am to 4pm.? The Festival celebrates the monarch butterfly amazing 2300 mile migration from Minnesota to Mexico with music, food, dance, hands-on art, native plant sales, and plenty of opportunities to get up close with monarch butterflies, learn about their habitats, and what you can do to make a difference.

The Festival will be held just east of the Lake Nokomis Community Center in the area bounded by E. Minnehaha Parkway, Woodlawn Boulevard, and E. Nokomis Parkway.

Mark you calendars for the best party on the planet!
Tickets available soon at?www.pollinatorfriendly.org

Minnesota?s most excellent party with a purpose.
On September 11th, POLL*NATION presents?live performance, hot indie bands, cutting edge food vendors, local craft beer, and local honey?to celebrate the TINY giants of our eco-system - OUR POLLINATORS. With a bigger venue this year?at Kissing Birch Farm, expect more bee science and gargantuan art interactives, local luminaries?with pollinator city awards, and special guest appearances. Pollinator Friendly Alliance?s annual?festival is abuzz with pollinator awareness.
POLLI*NATION: a tiny sound, a GIANT difference.

Interested in volunteering or being a sponsor:
email:?[email protected]

While most trees are wind-pollinated, the ones that are insect-pollinated provide important forage for pollinators, especially in early spring. Learn which canopy trees, small trees, and shrubs are insect-pollinated, and the types of pollinators each plant attracts. Factors influencing pollinator visitation, including flower structure, flower resources, flowering phenology, and the plant community where the woody plant occurs, will be discussed.

 
 
Heather Holm is a local author, landscape designer, and consultant specializing in pollinator landscapes and native landscape restorations. She is a passionate advocate for the use of native plants to attract and support pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife in residential and commercial landscapes, organic farms, and restored landscapes.
 

We briefly profile an ?Organization of the Month? at the start of each of our chapter meetings this year. Our goal is to raise awareness of the many good groups doing great environmental work in our area. Tonight we?ve invited Pam Frink from the White Bear Lake Seed Library They?re located at the WBL Library http://www.rclreads.org/about/locations/rcl-white-bear-lake. Stillwater area residents are invited to use this service. September is a great time to contribute seed.Come to the meeting to learn more.

On Saturday morning, October 8, 2016, the City of Woodbury, Master Gardeners from Washington County, and the Woodbury-Cottage Grove Area League of Women Voters will be sponsoring a fall garden program: Using Native Perennials for Attracting Pollinators and Improving Water Quality. The program will be held at the Eagle Valley Golf Course Conference Room, 2600 Double Eagle Lane, Woodbury, MN 55129.

There is no charge for this event, no pre-registration is required, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Topics include pollinators in the garden and why their numbers are decreasing; the role native perennials play in water quality, and University of Minnesota research on pollinators and lawns.

The schedule is as follows:

9:00 to 9:15 am - Welcome and introductions

9:15 to 10:00 am - Erin Rupp from Pollinate MN: Pollinators in the garden ? why are their numbers decreasing?

10:00 to 10:15 am - break time to visit environmental information tables and mingle

10:15 to 11:00 am ? Andy Schilling from the South Washington Watershed District: Using native perennials to protect and improve water quality

11:00 to 11:15 am - break time to visit environmental information tables and mingle

11:15 to 12 noon ? James Wolfin, a University of Minnesota graduate researcher: Bee lawn pollinator research in Woodbury and the Arboretum

Jackson Meadows, Marine on St. Croix, MN (Holley Wlodarczyk, 2015)

Landscaping choices are turning from manicured monoculture lawns accented with imported shrubs, to diverse native plant communities that provide natural beauty with the added benefits of wildlife habitat, pollinator support, and improved water quality.

Holley Wlodarczyk, Wild Ones member and student of suburban culture, will discuss her research on local changes in the aesthetics of landscaping. With examples from Washington County and the metro area, Holley will highlight native plant communities being installed in residential, commercial, and civic settings.

Join us for an inspiring look at the many ways our communities are ?bringing nature home? -- from adding pocket gardens in individual yards to extensive prairie, savanna, woodland and wetland restoration of entire neighborhoods, corporate campuses, and public parks.

Reynolds Park, Bloomington, MN (Holley Wlodarczyk, 2015)

Our presenter,?Holley Wlodarczyk, studies the visual culture of suburbia, with a special focus on changing environmental concerns, practices and media representation. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in Comparative Studies in Discourse and Society. Holley served as the historical consultant on the recent ?Suburbia" exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. She has published essays on suburban architecture, aesthetics, and popular culture.

Gary Noren, "Photos and Reflections of the St. Croix River Valley"

Thursday, November 15th, 2016, 6:30-8:30 pm
FamilyMeans Building, 1875 Northwestern Ave.,  Stillwater Click for a Map

Please RSVP by email to Miriam Simmons, or call (651) 212-0775 to sign up to bring your potluck item.

Enjoy environmentalist and nature photographerGary Noren?s photos and commentary, and celebrate our Croix Wild Ones community with good food  and company. Elect our 2016 officers. Sit down over dinner with our chapter board members and discuss chapter events and the coming year.

Gary Noren lives near Chisago City, on land that his great grandparents farmed beginning in 1870. He and his wife Marty live on Green Lake in the Sunrise River sub-watershed of the St. Croix River watershed. 

Gary serves on the Board of Directors (Past Chair) of the St. Croix River Association, and he is a Friend of Wild River State Park, the Sunrise River, and Interstate Park. He is an active member of the St. Croix Valley Camera Club and a passionate nature photographer. Gary has twice canoed the entire St. Croix River, he?s cross country skied throughout the St. Croix watershed (he co-authored Ski Minnesota, A Cross Country Skier?s Guide to MN and Western WI). Gary has taught mathematics, established community recycling and waste reduction programs, and is a lifelong environmental educator, having served 9 years on the MN Environmental Education Advisory Board. We're pleased to have him as our guest speaker.

NEW YEAR?S EVE DAY NATURE CHILL-OUT
(For all ages)??
AT MAPLEWOOD NATURE CENTER,?2659 E. 7th?Street, Maplewood, MN 55119
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1:00PM-3:00PM
Chill with nature; something for grownups, or for the whole family! Indoor options include gorgeous nature coloring pages, sipping hot-cocoa, and a funny scavenger hunt in our indoor exhibits.??
?
Outdoor options include a self-guiding trail hike set up especially for the day to search for our local yeti, and other wildlife.? You can also try our snowshoes if there is snow!
Fee: Prepay $5/person by Friday, December 30.
To register, go to?maplewoodnaturecenter.com?and click on the?Register Online Go?button. Call 651-249-2170 if you need help registering.