Events

Tim Schlagenhaft is a member of Audubon in Red Wing and serves as Audubon conservation coordinator.  He has worked for the MN Department of Natural Resources for over 24 years and has worked extensively with many government and private groups on habitat restoration projects, including water level management and island restoration that have greatly benefitted fish and wildlife, especially birds, along the Mississippi River corridor.

Come celebrate seven year of Prairie Partners by enjoying a good meal and evening of relaxing friendship at the Fireside Restaurant, 37540 Goodhue Ave, Dennison, MN 55018.  Members need to sign up in advance so accurate reservations can be made.  Please contact Barb Bolan or sign up at the March meeting if you are planning to attend.  Preregistration is required by contacting Barb at [email protected] or 507-649-2874.

We will meet at the restaurant at 6 PM.

Nancy Braker is the Director of the Cowling Arboretum at Carleton College.  She oversees all aspects of management of the Cowling Arboretum and McKnight Prairie and works with faculty, students and outside users on research and use of the properties.  She restores and maintains the prairies with native plants and flowers.  She will guide us through the Upper Arboretum to see beautiful spring flowers.  Meet at 6 PM at the upper entrance to the Carleton Arboretum at the corner of 2nd and Oak Streets, Northfield.

Please donate items for sale, price ahead of time on Thursday or early Friday morning.  Popular items include: birdhouses and feeders, native flowers and grasses, and heirloom tomatoes.  Contact Barb Bolan if you can help during the sale or set-up.  This is the main annual fundraiser for the chapter, please plan to participate!  It will be held at the Emmaus Church parking lot.  

Visit a local prairie habitat at the home of Jerry and Audrey Wicklund, who received Dakota County's "Outstanding Conservationist" award in 2012.  Native habitat covers 130 acres of the Wicklund's 165 acre farm, and it is on this farm that Jerry grew up.  The natural land has prairie grasses, wildflowers, woods and ponds.  Chub Creek winds through the farm and there have been beavers active there since 1948.  The Wicklunds have planted 800 oak trees on the farm in the past four years.  See beautiful early summer flowers, birds, and other wildlife while on the tour.  Carpools from Northfield will be arranged.  Preregistration is required by contacting Barb at [email protected] or 507-649-2874.

Karin & Dana Jokela, members of our chapter, raise and market beautiful native plants and organic vegetables at Sogn Valley Farm, 4830 360th St, Cannon Falls, MN.  They will give us a tour of their farm followed by an opportunity to buy plants and vegetables.  Bring your questions about identifying and growing plants.  We will plan to carpool, leaving Northfield at about 4:30 PM.  For more information, contact Barb at [email protected] or 507-649-2874

This beautiful park and garden is home to more than 500 plant species and 130 bird species.  It has woodlands, wetlands and prairies, each with its own natural specialties.  Many plants, such as Showy lady's slippers, native irises, and cardinal flowers should be in bloom at this time. 

Details will be announced closer to the date.  Bus space is limited so pre-registration is required.  Bus will leave from Emmaus Church.  Preregistration is required by contacting Barb at [email protected] or 507-649-2874.

Gary Bullemer is a former DNR Park Manager and he will guide us on a tour of Hauberg Woods and explore the plants, birds, frogs and other wildlife that call it home.  Rich fens such as this one are very uncommon in this area and provide an opportunity to see unique habitats and vegetation.

Tom and Eric Nelson operate Blue Heron Lady Slipper Company in Castle Rock, MN.  They legally rescue plants from construction sites and relocate them. 

Ferns play an important part of many ecosystems.  They help recolonize land after overbrowsing or other damage and pave the way for more species to follow.  Ferns provide food and shelter for many small creatures, can even filter out some environmental toxins, and provide an indicator of the health of the ecosystem.

The Fall Festival will be held at Emmaus Baptist Church at 712 Linden St N, Northfield.  Potluck dinner starts at 6 PM with silent auction from 6-8:30 PM.  Annual Meeting and election of officers for 2019 convenes at 6:30 PM.

At 7 PM, Scott King will present a program on Rusty Patched Bumblebees.  These native bees are very uncommon, but a few have recently been seen in Northfield, including at the home of Arlene Kjar.

Please bring an item to share for the potluck, an item for the silent auction, and be ready to bid on the items.  This is an important fundraiser for the chapter and a great time to relax and have fun.

Dan Tallman, a Northfielder, is an expert birder and Emeritus Professor of Biology, Northern State University, and has banded birds for over 50 years.  He will talk about why we band birds, some trends he has noticed, and share interesting stories of where his banded birds have been discovered. 

Lunch together at St. Olaf is a great way to conclude our 2018 year.  Share a meal with fellow chapter members and friends and reflect on a year of great programs, education and tours.  We'll meet at the entrance of the Buntrock Commons beside the bookstore and then go up to reserved tables in the Stav Cafeteria in the loft.  An elevator and steps are near the end of the buffet serving area.  Cost is about $10.  Come early to find a parking spot and browse the bookstore.  Preregistration is required by contacting Barb at [email protected] or 507-649-2874.