Events

Arlene has a BA in Art and once taught art in the public schools. She will have on hand various kinds of papers, glue, and tools that participants can use to make make greeting cards, gift tags, gift paper or another project of their choice. A wood project can be made in the basement. The projects will be sold at our Back to Nature Garage Sale in May and at our programs. All funds made will go into the Prairie Partners treasury.

Please notify Arlene if you plan on attending the session.? Call 507-645-8903.

Carroll is the Minnesota State Coordinator of Bluebird Recovery of Minnesota. Bluebirds have made an amazing recovery across the state due to the efforts of many volunteers and passionate individuals like Carroll. Join us for an evening devoted to nesting, how to set a bluebird house correctly, and how to count fledglings. Carroll will provide consultation and advice, including how to complete the annual bluebird report form to document your observations.

Using The Sand County Almanac as a starting point, Fred and Sarah will lead discussions on land ethics pioneered by Aldo Leopold.?? Highlights include how Leopold developed his land ethics, how this philosophy revolutionized the way we view our environment, and readings from the iconic book The Sand County Almanac.

Kevin is a Master Naturalist and the Coordinator of the Minnesota Ornithologists? Union Youth Mentor Program. He works to teach and lead young people on bird outings. He is a passionate birder that believes birds are the future of our natural ecosystems. Join us to explore different bird habitats, and how to draw them into your landscape.

The Northfield Prairie Partners will do their main fundraiser on the driveway and garage of Arlene Kjar?s home. All are encouraged to participate in some way. Collect items we can sell, no electrical items, and price ahead of time. Deliver to Arlene?s home Monday - Thursday. There will be a separate place for native, non-native, and house plants. Popular items include: birdhouses and feeders, clothing, fruiting plants, and heirloom tomatoes.

Friday, May 8th: 11:00 am ? 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 9th: 8:00 am ? 6:00 pm

Nancy is the Director of the Cowling Arboretum at Carleton College. She graduated from Carleton in 1981, and since that time has been involved in many native restorations. Nancy will showcase native woodland flowers blooming in the arboretum. Catch your first glimpse of Trilliums, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Blue Cohosh, Wild Ginger, and many others!

Bonnie?s love for plants began at a very young age. She fostered this passion at the University of WI, and pursued a career in restoration ecology and ecological design. She is best known for her work with MNDot establishing federal and state roadside wildflower programs and combating noxious weeds. Come learn more about the controversial history of invasive plants and why they still persist.

Home Visit to a Wildlife Habitat in an Urban Setting/Home Rain Gardens

Arlene has been gardening at her home for over 40 years. She has developed many unique native plant communities that attract native pollinators and birds year round. Ashley is a District Technician for the Rice County Soil & Water District. She will demonstrate the benefits of home rain gardens, and use Arlene?s native landscape as an example.

Phyllis is the author of more than forty books for children, including Big Belching Bog. She is the winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Award, and her writing has garnered national acclaim. Phyllis? book Plant a Pocket Prairie educates readers on the interconnectedness of an ecosystem, informs us how endangered prairie ecosystems are, and encourages children and adults alike to have a pocket of prairie, whether in a pot or in the ground.

Catherine is an elementary school teacher with a strong conservation ethic and passion for wildflowers. She has won many MN State Fair awards for her flower arrangements and is known locally for her enthusiasm in the garden. Join Catherine and learn how to assemble your favorite wildflowers into an interesting and unique floral arrangement.

4th Quarter & Annual Meeting

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Preserving Minnesota?s Natural Treasures: Scientific & Natural Areas by Joel Dunnette & Larissa Mottl

Northfield Prairie Partners Chapter of Wild Ones will celebrate the end of the year with a Pot Luck dinner and silent auction. All members are requested to attend. The night will begin with a Pot Luck dinner, followed by the 4th Quarter and Annual Meeting, and our monthly program. The silent auction will take place throughout the night, ending shortly after the program. Members are asked to donate an item for the silent auction. All money will go to the Chapter as a fundraiser. Joel is a Minnesota Master Naturalist and former president of the Minnesota Native Plant Society. He has led many groups into the Iron Horse Prairie in Hayfield, MN and presented programs at White Water State Park. Larissa is the Central Region Coordinator of Scientific Natural Areas in Minnesota. Together they will discuss the preservation of our state?s natural treasures.

Dan is a retired biology professor from Northern State University in Aberdeen South Dakota. An avid bird bander and photographer, he will introduce us to the world of wildlife photography. He will demonstrate ideal lighting and composition with his own work, and will discuss what kind of equipment one might need in the field.

Lunch together at St. Olaf is a great way to conclude our 2015 year. Share a meal with fellow Chapter members, and reflect on a great year of programming and plants! Meet at the entrance of the Buntrock Building beside the bookstore and we will go up together. Food is buffet style, and will cost approximately $9.00 each. We have reserved tables in the loft area. This area can be accessed by elevator or steps.