Most monthly programs are open to both members and non-members. However, some will have space or venue limitations and will need pre-registration. Indoor programs will typically be held in the Fellowship Hall on the lower level of the Emmaus Baptist Church, 712 Linden Street N, Northfield, Minnesota. Parking is located on the south side of the church.
Chapter Program Schedule
Programs at Emmaus Church unless otherwise noted. Outside tour dates may change due to weather.
Upcoming 2024 Programs
Thursday September 12, 6pm – Dr. Dick Huston’s Restored Prairie Tour
Saturday September 21, 9am – Schumacher-Sipe Property (26050 Emery Avenue, Randolph, MN 55065) – Native Prairie Plant Seed Collection
Calling all nature lovers and prairie enthusiasts! Join us for a fun-filled morning of native prairie plant seed collection. Whether you’re a seasoned native plant expert or just getting started, this is your chance to connect with the land and gather seeds for your own property, or contribute to preserving our precious prairie habitats!
Volunteers can:
- Take home the seeds you collect to help your own native garden flourish
- Or leave them for us to replant in local prairie restoration projects!
What to bring: Long pants and closed-toe shoes/boots are highly recommended for navigating through the tall grasses and uneven terrain! We have a limited supply of garden clippers, paper bags, and containers with handles – so if you’ve got your own tools, please bring them along! Let’s get out there and make a difference, one seed at a time!
October 10, 7pm, Emmaus Church – Breanna Wheeler – Mn terrestrial invasives: Terrestrial plants and Insects MN Dept of Ag Invasive Species Program. Breanna Wheeler Chair, Terrestrial Invasive Species Funding Subcommittee DNR Natural Heritage Advisory Committee and fellow Wild Ones SE MN Prairie Partner member
November 14 6pm, Emmaus Church – annual meeting, voting for 2025 officers; Native seed share, Presentation: DNR Native plants and wildlife, restorations – Shelley Gorham Assistant Area Wildlife Manager | MN DNR – Wildlife, Owatonna Area
December 12 –Annual Luncheon – St Olaf
Past 2024 Programs
January 11th – Shoreline Restoration With Native Species by Taralee Latozke
February 8th – Creating and Maintaining Habitat for Bees by Heather Holm. Here is a link to the same program that was given at a different event: Heather Holm, Creating and Managing Habitat for Native Bees – YouTube
Tuesday February 20th , 7pm Zoom presentation – a joint event with MN Wild Ones Chapters: “Looking Forward to a Livelier Landscape” by Alan Branhagen.
Thursday March 14, 7pm in person, at Emmaus Church– “Native Seeds: Tips for collecting, cleaning and storing” by Nancy Schumacher
Thursday, April 11, 6pm – Annual anniversary dinner – Fireside in Dennison
Monday, May 20, 7pm – Spring ephemeral viewing and Buckthorn removal event at Lashbrook Park in Northfield
Saturday, May 18, 9am – Plant Sale – Emmaus Church parking lot
Thursday June 13th, 7pm at Caron Park – Foraging with Tim Clemens of Ironwood Foraging
Sunday June 23, 2:30pm The SE MN Prairie Partners and the Cannon River Valley Master Naturalists will host a Field day on insect signs and tracking led by Eric Vehe in the Carleton Arboretum.
Thursday July 11, 7pm – Tour Scott and Kathy Regenscheid gardens (and house, very unique, multiple gardens, great views of Circle Lake and wetlands)
Sunday July 21 afternoon – Native Garden Tours
Thursday, August 8, 615pm – Mud Creek WMA
Thursday August 22, 2:30pm – Prairie Moon tour, Winona, MN