Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 17, 2017

6:45 pm-7:00 pm | Social
7:00 pm-8:45 pm | Program
Wood Lake Nature Center
6710 Lake Shore Dr S, Richfield, MN 55423
All meetings are free and open to the public.

MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS

Katy Chayka & Peter Dziuk
minnesotawildflowers.info

For anyone who is interested in learning about Minnesota’s native or invasive plant species, Katy Chayka and Peter Dziuk have developed one of the best online field guides of any state. Find out how this online guide was started and how to search for plants, learn photography tips and view beautiful photos of rare/endangered and other Minnesota native plant species.

Symphyotrichum novae-anglia • New England Aster

Reminder:
Bring native plant seeds to share at our November Meeting, where we will have our annual SEED EXCHANGE as part of our potluck dinner and program. Not sure how to collect or store seeds? Check out our handy guide to success! Click here for a printable pdf.

ATTENTION WILD ONES TWIN CITIES MEMBERS:

Do you also work with or volunteer at other nonprofit organizations or educational programs related to native plants, natural landscaping and environmental stewardship? Are you... 

• a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, or Master Water Steward? 
• a member of the Audubon Society, the Xerces Society or the Minnesota Native Plant Society? 
• a volunteer with Blue Thumb or Great River Greening?
• involved with another group or community project related to native plant gardening?

Come share your experience and perspective as a Wild One by participating in our November Potluck Panel:

Wild Ones in The Field on Tuesday, November 21st.

Our goal is to encourage a casual yet lively exchange of information about many of the opportunities available for Wild Ones Members to put our knowledge of and passion for native plants to work in our local communities and beyond! If you would like to participate, please email program co-chair Holley Wlodarczyk. Thank you!

And for a printable calendar of our Fall 2017-Spring 2018 programs, click here.

And as the growing season winds down, and we start settling into the long months of planning next year's gardens and reminiscing on this past year's natural beauty and bounty, consider sharing your best photos of MN native plants and wildlife visitors in our Wild Ones Photo Contest! 

More details coming soon...

Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 19, 2017

6:45 pm-7:00 pm | Social
7:00 pm-8:45 pm | Program
Wood Lake Nature Center
6710 Lake Shore Dr S, Richfield, MN 55423
All meetings are free and open to the public.

CONSERVATION STRATEGIES FOR NATIVE 'BIG WOODS' FOREST PLANT COMMUNITIES

Dr. Lee E. Frelich

Director, The University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology  

Understory plant communities in Big Woods (maple, basswood and oak) forests were historically lush with high species richness. In recent decades, these plant communities have become highly degraded by high deer populations, invasive earthworms and invasive plants. Slow growth rates of native plants due to low light levels in even-aged forests and lack of seed sources are further complications. Although some species probably cannot tolerate the presence of European earthworms and may require special conservation strategies, restoration of lush native plant communities is possible and strategies for doing so will be discussed.

Empty understory in Partch Woods Scientific and Natural Area.

_________________

Join us for a tour with Douglas Owens-Pike at Otter Creek Ridge!

Since 2010, Douglas and Suzanne Owens-Pike have been creating a unique sustainable home at their 80-acre retreat in Wisconsin, 90 minutes due east of Minneapolis. Their innovative, net-zero house is designed to produce all the energy they need, to require the least possible maintenance, and to reflect their intention to live in harmony with other animals who share the land.

Starting with this initial pilot session, Days with Douglas will be a series of visits to Otter Creek Ridge, to learn about his vision and values, the specialized passive solar design of their homestead (including his “Greenawnings” ™), the plantings, raingardens, paths, labyrinth, and the spiritual and philosophical aspects of their adventure and commitment at Otter Creek. Future Days with Douglas will explore these themes in greater detail and provide opportunities for visitors to help Douglas and Suzanne achieve their vision during workdays, focus groups, strolls and conversations.

Join us on this introductory Day with Douglas, as he guides visitors on a personalized tour and explains the decisions he is making to honor, shape and manage the land in ways that are consistent with living collaboratively with Nature. Anyone interested in sustainable living and native landscapes is welcome!

Bring your lunch and stay for as long as you like! Enjoy the woods, the house and gardens, and more. Bathe in the forest and walk the labyrinth as you learn about renewable energy and sustainable living.

Please RSVP at the Facebook event.

For more information and for directions to the Otter Creek homestead, post on the Facebook event or send an email to Douglas@EnergyScapes.com

MINNEAPOLIS MONARCH FESTIVAL 

Saturday, September 9, 2017

10 am to 4 pm

at Lake Nokomis

49th St and Woodlawn Blvd

Minneapolis MN

VOLUNTEER at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d4fa4a82caafb6-volunteer 

For more information, visit http://monarchfestival.org 

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT SUMMER TOUR!

Twin Cities Wild Ones

Native Plant Garden Tours 

SATURDAY AUGUST 19, 2017 

Native Plant Rain Gardens

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Lutheran Church of Christ Redeemer
5440 Penn South Minneapolis, Mn. 55410 
click here for map

Guide: Laurie Bruno, Master Naturalist

This garden was planted in the fall of 2014. The garden is the capstone project for Master Water Stewards Joan Freese and Laurie Bruno. Costs for this rain garden were around $500.00 plus in kind labor by congregation members. The cash costs were reimbursed by a cost share grant from the Minnehaha  Creek Watershed District with in kind labor balancing the out of pocket costs. 

The original plan listed 16 different native plants. Several additional natives have been added in subsequent years.
At the end of the first year a storm water credit was applied for. This was eventually approved and is currently saving this congregation about $600 per year.

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Linden Hills
2914 W 44th St Minneapolis, MN 55410 
click here for map

Guide: Dottie Dolezal

3 separate areas on the parish grounds-

1.Two rain gardens and a bioswale were installed in 2014 with assistance from Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council (and many, many church bake sales!). It is planted predominately with native plants and maintained by the church’s garden club. These rain gardens manage storm water on the parish’s property, prevent erosion, capture runoff allowing it to seep slowly into the ground and protect Minnehaha Creek and Lake Harriet by filtering pollutants from the storm water. These gardens qualify for storm water abatement credits from Minneapolis and within the next two years, this monthly credit will have paid off the cost of the garden. Design work by Nature’s Edge Designs.

2.This summer, a nonnative hedge by the parking lot was removed and the church garden club planted an oak savanna with predominately native plants. Oak savanna was the original habitat in south Minneapolis. It is certified as a Monarch Waystation. 3 baby oak trees were planted by Wetland Habitat, Minneapolis’s partner in greening the city.

3.Formerly a thick thistle patch in the lower parking lot corner, became a small prairie garden, planted approximately 8 years ago. As the linden tree grows, the garden will gradually become a shade garden.

Thanks to everyone who attended our June and July tours, and hope to see you all in August!