EVENTS

FamilyMeans building
1875 Northwestern Ave, Stillwater
7:00 — 8:45 pm
NOTE Dr. Kimmerer will not be present at this book discussion in Stillwater. We will talk about the book on Tuesday 2/12 in anticipation of seeing her presentation on Saturday, 2/16 at the Design With Nature Conference in St Paul.
 
RSVP and join us to discuss  Robin Kimmerer’s book:
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
 

Kathy Widin from our chapter will host. Author Robin Kimmerer will speak at our Design With Nature Conference in St Paul on Saturday, February 16. A number of us know Dr Kimmerer through this book and we’re gathering the week before the conference to discuss it. To join us please RSVP to Kathy.

Here’s a review of the book from the StarTribune.

Wild Ones 2019 DESIGN WITH NATURE Conference

Saturday, February 16, 2019                                      PROGRAM DETAILS                  

9:00 AM – 4:30 PM CST                                                      REGISTRATION

University of St. Thomas
James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall, Anderson Student Center

2115 Summit Ave (at Cretin), St. Paul, Minnesota 55105

Healing and Restoring our Relationship with Nature

To truly live in relationship with nature we must first realize we are “a part of” nature, not “apart from” nature. Only when we acknowledge and celebrate our relationship with the rest of the living world, will we be able to fully understand the generous gifts we receive from the Earth can only be sustained by giving our own gifts in return.

LARRY WEANER, ASLA  
     Living in the Liberated Landscape:
     How our gardens and landscapes can be a source of environmental change

Larry Weaner is founder of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates in Philadelphia, PA in 1982, combining expertise in horticulture, environmental science, and the traditions of garden design. His design and restoration work spans more than ten states and has been profiled in national publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Garden Design, American Gardener, Wildflower Magazine, and ASLA’s “The Dirt” blog.

In 1990, Larry developed New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), a conference and workshop series dedicated to advancing the art and science of natural landscape design. This influential series has a loyal following in the landscape field and in 2016 received the New England Wildflower Society’s first annual Regional Impact Award.

Larry is the co-author of Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change with Tom Christopher (Timber Press, 2016). Their book received a 2017 Book Award from the American Horticultural Society.
________________________

MICHAEL LYNCH
     Botanical Wanderings:
     Building a personal relationship with nature

Michael Lynch is a botanist and restoration ecologist, who studied Applied Plant Science at the University of Minnesota. He has worked for the City of Minnetonka as a Natural Resource Technician and is now an independent Botanist and Restoration Ecologist, offering his services and expertise to municipalities and individuals.

Michael is the founder of popular Facebook group Botanical Wanderings, encouraging people to become more enthusiastic about getting out into nature, to discuss and share images of plants and biomes visited.
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ROBIN WALL KIMMERER, Ph.D. 
     The Language of Plants:
     How traditional indigenous teachings can help heal our relationship with Nature

Robin Kimmerer is Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) and Director of The Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at SUNY Syracuse. She is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and combines her heritage with her scientific and environmental passions.

Robin is the author of numerous scientific articles and the books Gathering Moss, which was awarded the John Burroughs Medal for nature writing in 2005, and Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, released in 2013. In 2015 she addressed the general assembly of the United Nations on the topic of “Healing Our Relationship with Nature.”

As a writer and a scientist, her interests in restoration include not only restoration of ecological communities, but restoration of our relationships to land. She lives on an old farm in upstate New York, tending gardens both cultivated and wild.

Want to VOLUNTEER at the conference?    Click here to SIGN UP!

Do you have an item to donate to the Silent Auction? 
If so, please contact the Silent Auction Chair, with a 10 word or less description, a value, and a minimum bid (optional). Items are to be brought to the conference ASAP after registration tables open so that they can be paired with their bid sheet and put on display. Thank you!

Legislative Update on Conservation and Environmental Issues – Don Arnosti, Izaak Walton League
Tuesday, March 19, 2019  7:00 — 8:45 pm
FamilyMeans building, 1875 Northwestern Ave, Stillwater
 

Don Arnosti, Executive Director of the Minnesota Division of Izaak Walton League, and long-time environmental lobbyist, will discuss citizen involvement and current conservation and environmental issues being debated at our MN Legislature

Free and everyone is welcome.

Monitoring Rare Plants in Minnesota’s Prairies, plus a Discussion of Rare Plants Found in the St Croix Valley 
Derek Anderson, Minnesota Biological Survey, DNR

An important part of conserving rare species is tracking them over time through repeated monitoring. Monitoring allows for a better understanding of life history, trends in population numbers, and responses to management activities.  In Minnesota, we monitor several state and federally listed plant species.  This includes the federally endangered Minnesota dwarf trout lily (Erythronium propullans) , the federally threatened western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) , the federally threatened prairie bush clover (Lespedeza leptostachya), and the state species of special concern, small white lady’s slipper (Cypripedium candidum).

We will look at some of the things learned over the course of monitoring these species (some of which have been monitored for over 30 years).  This work has largely been accomplished through the help of citizen scientist volunteers.  We will end the program by looking at some of the rare plant species found in the St. Croix River watershed.

Derek Anderson is a botanist with the Minnesota Biological Survey, MN DNR.  His primary focus is monitoring and surveying rare plant species in the prairie region of the state (western and southern Minnesota).  Additionally, he is the state’s lead on rare plants listed as federally endangered or threatened in the state.  Derek grew up in the St. Croix River Valley and enjoys spending time canoeing, kayaking, fishing and camping on the St. Croix River.  He has participated in a number of volunteer plant surveys along the river in northwestern Wisconsin.

Urban Oasis: Landscape Gardening with Native Plants 
Jeremy Mayberg, retired architect and accomplished photographer, will present his approach to creating an urban oasis through gardening with native plants.

In 2003, Marty Rice, one of the founders of Wild Ones Twin Cities Chapter hired Erik Olson of Out Back Nursery to design and assist her in the conversion of her backyard into a native garden. In December 2007, Marty and her husband Jeff sold their home to Jeremy and Amy-Ann Mayberg. Concerned the new owners might plow the garden under and replant a lawn, Marty and Jeff called upon the new owners the day they moved in. Over coffee and muffins they told of Wild Ones and the native plant gardens they had created out back. Marty urged them to experience one growing season before doing anything in the garden.

Marty’s passion for native plants was infectious. Jeremy caught the bug and has been the steward of this magnificent urban oasis for the last eleven years. He now sits on the Board of Wild Ones Twin Cities and is the Program Chair of this year’s Design with Nature Conference.  The garden has been featured in Lynn Steiner’s Prairie Style Gardens, Evelyn Hadden’s Beautiful No Mow Lawns and was featured as one of the 2017 Twin Cities Best Gardens by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Chapter Meeting
FamilyMeans building, 1875 Northwestern Ave, Stillwater,
7:00 — 8:45 pm
Urban Oasis: Landscape Gardening with Native Plants
Jeremy Mayberg, retired architect and accomplished photographer, will present his approach to creating an urban oasis through gardening with native plants.

In 2003, Marty Rice, one of the founders of Wild Ones Twin Cities Chapter hired Erik Olson of Out Back Nursery to design and assist her in the conversion of her backyard into a native garden. In December 2007, Marty and her husband Jeff sold their home to Jeremy and Amy-Ann Mayberg. Concerned the new owners might plow the garden under and replant a lawn, Marty and Jeff called upon the new owners the day they moved in. Over coffee and muffins they told of Wild Ones and the native plant gardens they had created out back. Marty urged them to experience one growing season before doing anything in the garden.

Marty’s passion for native plants was infectious. Jeremy caught the bug and has been the steward of this magnificent urban oasis for the last eleven years. He now sits on the Board of Wild Ones Twin Cities and is the Program Chair of this year’s Design with Nature Conference.  The garden has been featured in Lynn Steiner’s Prairie Style Gardens, Evelyn Hadden’s Beautiful No Mow Lawns and was featured as one of the 2017 Twin Cities Best Gardens by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

The Landscape Revival: Oakdale
Oakdale Native Plant Expo and Market offers gardeners one convenient location to shop for Minnesota native plants from 6 local native growers, and learn about gardening for pollinators and sustainable landscaping from 10 exhibiters.. 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.

Purchase pollinator-safe native plants at Landscape Revival. Native growers participating in the sale do not use systemic pesticides.

https://www.saintpaulaudubon.org/events/landscape-revival-native-plant-expo-market-oakdale/

Summer Prairie Walk in Valley View Park, Oak Park Heights
Explore this late summer blooming prairie and see how the abundance and diversity of native plants impacts the local web of  bird-life.
 

Leaders:  

Chase Davies,  Saint Paul Audubon Society & Wild Ones St. Croix Oak Savanna, email.
Kathy Widin, Wild Ones St. Croix Oak Savanna, email.

During this evening prairie walk we'll observe, discuss, and enjoy a diversity of native prairie plants and the birds that visit them. Come enjoy a delightful blooming prairie and its visiting winged creatures. No registration required.

SUGGESTED GEAR: Bring your 10-power magnifier if you have one, or borrow one from a tour leader; consider a hat, camera, water, and bug repellent. Wear closed-toe shoes with socks above the ankle.

WHY A PRAIRIE? Birds need insects. Insects need food. Prairies provide food for insects and birds. People, as well as needing food, thrive on the calm and beauty of natural places.

WHY THIS PRAIRIE? When seeking places for birding or botanizing, Washington County has many great choices. The restored prairie at Valley View Park is an excellent example of a quality, high-diversity, hillside prairie. The highest quality, probably remnant, portion of the prairie overlooks the valley. Chase Davies who has a keen interest in both native plants and bird ecology, had the idea for this walk and we did it last summer for some members of St. Paul Audubon. The co-leader is Kathy Widin, in a former Oak Park Heights Arborist and Past-President of Wild Ones St. Croix Oak Savanna (Stillwater).

DIFFICULTY: Moderate. The walk starts downhill on blacktop surface through woodlands, then on turf, and finally up and down through woods on a compressed dirt trail to the prairie. Distance is about 1 mile round-trip. Consider bringing a walking stick.

DIRECTION: Go south from Hwy 36 on Osgood Avenue, continue beyond Upper 55th St. to the large sign on the left for Valley View Park. Meet in the parking lot at 6:20pm.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019 Field Trip
Valley View Park, 5575 Ozark Ave N, Oak Park Heights
6:30 - 8:00 pm

Summer Prairie Walk in Valley View Park, Oak Park Heights
Explore this late summer blooming prairie and see how the abundance and diversity of native plants impacts the local web of  bird-life.
Leaders:  

Chase Davies,  Saint Paul Audubon Society & Wild Ones St. Croix Oak Savanna, email.
Kathy Widin, Wild Ones St. Croix Oak Savanna, email.

During this evening prairie walk we'll observe, discuss, and enjoy a diversity of native prairie plants and the birds that visit them. Come enjoy a delightful blooming prairie and its visiting winged creatures. No registration required.

SUGGESTED GEAR: Bring your 10-power magnifier if you have one, or borrow one from a tour leader; consider a hat, camera, water, and bug repellent. Wear closed-toe shoes with socks above the ankle.

WHY A PRAIRIE? Birds need insects. Insects need food. Prairies provide food for insects and birds. People, as well as needing food, thrive on the calm and beauty of natural places.

WHY THIS PRAIRIE? When seeking places for birding or botanizing, Washington County has many great choices. The restored prairie at Valley View Park is an excellent example of a quality, high-diversity, hillside prairie. The highest quality, probably remnant, portion of the prairie overlooks the valley. Chase Davies who has a keen interest in both native plants and bird ecology, had the idea for this walk and we did it last summer for some members of St. Paul Audubon. The co-leader is Kathy Widin, in a former Oak Park Heights Arborist and Past-President for the St. Croix Oak Savanna (Stillwater) chapter of Wild Ones (native plants, natural landscapes).

DIFFICULTY: Moderate. The walk starts downhill on blacktop surface through woodlands, then on turf, and finally up and down through woods on a compressed dirt trail to the prairie. Distance is about 1 mile round-trip. Consider bringing a walking stick.

DIRECTION: Go south from Hwy 36 on Osgood Avenue, continue beyond Upper 55th St. to the large sign on the left for Valley View Park. Meet in the parking lot at 6:20pm

Sustainability and Beauty in the Urban Core – it can be done! Tour of Hannah Texler’s gardens in St. Paul.
"I have been landscaping with native plants in my urban yard for over 20 years with an ecological focus. The yard has over 100 native plant species in prairie and woodland gardens. All of the plants in my back yard are either native to Ramsey County or edible to humans (blueberries, raspberries, vegetables and herbs). I also have rain gardens and a rain barrel to keep rainwater in my yard. My latest projects involve creating native prairie gardens with fall seeding." -- HT

Hannah Texler has been the DNR Minnesota Biological Survey's (MBS) Plant Survey Supervisor since 2015. She worked as a plant ecologist/botanist for MBS from 1990 to 1995, when she surveyed counties in the southeastern part of the state. Hannah previously served as the regional plant ecologist for southeastern and east-central Minnesota, and worked for the Scientific and Natural Areas program.

Kassie Brown, Renaissance Soil: The Universe Beneath Our Feet: Restoring Soil Ecosystems
Soil is one of the last truly uncharted territories. It's also the key to solving many of the environmental problems we face today. Healthy soils will clean and hold water, remediate pollution, sequester carbon, and grow resilient plants. Healthy soil is built by countless microbes working 24/7 - and they need our help!

This presentation is for anyone interested in learning more about the complex ecosystem beneath our feet and how to recognize inert, lifeless dirt, and transform it into living soil.

Renaissance Soil is a St. Paul based non-profit dedicated to regenerating soil through education, outreach, and action opportunities.

Kassie Brown is the founder and educator of Renaissance Soil . A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Kassie is passionate about reconnecting people, food, and nature. After studying the soil food web with leading soil microbiologist Dr. Elaine Ingham, Kassie decided to make the amazing complexity of life below ground her primary focus.

Lawns to Legumes is a new State-funded initiative to protect pollinators, especially the rusty patched bumblebee.

A cost-sharing and technical outreach program is being set up for homeowners who want to enhance their landscape by adding pollinator-friendly habitat, including native plants. Priority is being given to areas in the State that can support the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. This includes most of Washington County.

Dan Shaw from the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will discuss the State-wide program.

Lauren Haydon and Tara Kelly will discuss how a pollinator prioritization will be used as a tool for the Lawns to Legumes program in Washington County. They both work for the Washington Conservation District assisting landowners with conservation projects including the design and installation of pollinator plantings. Additionally, they will discuss some design consideration for bee lawns, pollinator gardens, and prairie restorations.

You will find the latest details on the Lawns to Legumes program at this BWSR webpage: <bit.ly/LawnToLegumes>.

Information on the rusty patched bumblebee is available le here: <https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/05/31/bombus-affinis-meet-the-rusty-patched-bumblebee-new-state-bee-minnesota>.

Potluck and Annual Meeting, Chris Cowan of Pesticide Action Network will be our Guest Speaker.
Chris Cowen will discuss environmental issues affecting our St Croix Valley, especially pollinators and their habitat.

Celebrate our St. Croix Wild Ones community with good food and good company. Elect our 2020 officers. Join chapter members, volunteers, and board members to review our chapter accomplishments and new initiatives, get the latest details of our 2020 Design With Nature Conference, and discuss program plans for the coming year.

Guest speaker Chris Cowen is a lobbyist for the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) <http://www.panna.org/about-us> and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) <https://www.nrdc.org/work>. His focus is on keeping pollinators safe from pesticides. Chris is an active participant in the Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) Pollinator Cluster, he is a member of the MEP Board and is a hobby beekeeper. He has worn many hats in a long career with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Chris, his wife Sara and son Emmett live in the Como Park neighborhood of Saint Paul.