Events

Arlene has a BA in Art and once taught art in the public schools. She will be hosting a workshop on how to make a sew-less apron, with a large pocket across the bottom. This apron is ideal for working at the garage/plant sale fundraiser or in your garden. Please notify Arlene if you plan on attending the session, so the materials are cut prior to the program. Call 507-645-8903.

All members are welcome to attend Northfield Prairie Partners Chapter Board Meetings.

All members are welcome to join the Northfield Prairie Partners Chapter Board to start the planning process for hosting the National Board Meeting in June 2014.

Carol is a Minnesota Master Naturalist. She is very active with activities at Sibley Elementary School, and living in the neighborhood, frequently walks through the Sibley marsh. Carol has started a group that will help with the invasive species problem in that nature area. Her program will detail the history of this authentic marsh, how the land was saved, and why it is a special place.

Catherine is an elementary teacher with a strong conservation ethic. Her environmental ties began as a child, when her family assisted with bird counting and banding through the Audubon Society starting in the 1950s. Most recently she has focused her attention on Bluebirds. This program will detail how to install, monitor, and maintain bluebird houses. She will also discuss bird nesting habits.

Karen has a background in horticulture and gardening. She is a Rice County Master Gardener and presently works at the Northfield Retirement Center as a landscaping technician. Come enjoy the serenity of the meditation garden. Karen will explain the philosophy of this space, and how one can reflect on nature?s beauty when visiting the garden.

Our monthly chapter meetings are free and open to the public.

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!

Our monthly chapter meetings are free and open to the public.

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, crafts, dishes, toys, strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, and heirloom tomatoes.

Open from 12:00 Noon - 7:00 PM on Friday, May 9th, and 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Saturday, May 10th.

Nancy has a BS from the University of Minnesota in Soil Science, and is the owner of the Vagary, a native plant nursery in rural Randolph, MN. She is the Wild Ones Monarch Coordinator for the Northfield Prairie Partners Chapter. Nancy will discuss the latest information regarding the Monarch population decline, contributing factors to this decline, and their lifecycle. Join us and learn what you can do to save this iconic butterfly!

The Greenvale Lone Oak Nature Area is a bit west of Greenvale Park Elementary School.

Our monthly chapter meetings are free and open to the public.

The Wild Ones National Board has chosen the Northfield Prairie Partners Chapter to host their annual meeting! All members are welcome to attend the meeting, followed by lunch, and a tour of a local natural area (this area will be chosen at a closer date). Join us and learn more about our national presence, while meeting the 2014 national board members.

This event is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by Carolyn Sanford and Chuck Carlin.? Carolyn and Chuck are retired from Carleton College. She has worked with the Nature Conservancy in southeastern Minnesota, and Chuck has been active with Carleton?s McKnight Prairie. Their front lawn consists of prairie and wildflowers, with meandering stone paths. In the backyard they have a 15 year old prairie, and a herb and vegetable garden. All trees and bushes on their property are native to the area. A favorite plant is Hibiscus laevis (Rose Mallow), and should be in bloom in July.

Dan has a degree in environmental studies and works at the St. Olaf Bookstore. He was also a member of the Northfield Park Board. Dan has taken a leading role for many years in the buckthorn removal at Hauberg Woods Park. He has a love of trees and their importance in our environment. If you have wondered about the magnificent trees growing in the understory in Hauberg, Dan will answer many of your questions about them! The understory provides unique habitat for many native species.

Fred is a naturalist and former grass specialist for Northrup King, with extensive knowledge on prairie grasses. Join Fred at Lashbrook Prairie Park, as he illustrates the complex and diverse roles native grasses play in a prairie ecosystem. He will note the insects, birds, and mammals that use native grasses for their food and nesting material, as well as native prairie plants and their life cycle.

** The program location may be subject to change.

Northfield Prairie Partners Chapter of Wild Ones will celebrate the end of the season with a Fall Festival.? All members, their families and friends are invited to attend.

The night will begin with a Pot Luck dinner at 6 pm, followed by a board meeting with the selection of 2015 officers at 6:30 pm.? The program by Joel Dunnette, "In Appreciation of Seeds", will begin at 7 pm.? Free native seeds, provided by Chapter members, will be available for all attendees.

A silent auction will take place throughout the evening and conclude shortly after the end of the program.? Members are encouraged to donate items for the silent auction.? All proceeds will go to the Chapter as a fundraiser.

In Appreciation of Seeds - Joel Dunnette

Joel is a Minnesota Master Naturalist and former president of the Minnesota Native Plant Society. Living in Byron, MN, he is the most distant member of our Chapter. He has led many groups into the Iron Horse Prairie in Hayfield, MN and presented programs at White Water State Park. Joel has led numerous efforts to collect native seeds for prairie management. He will discuss the importance of seeds to the ecosystem, how they disperse, and when one can collect them.

Sarah has a MS degree in Environmental Management, and currently works as a Scientist for an environmental consulting firm. She has a diverse environmental background that includes wildland firefighting, exotic species trapping, and native plant restoration. Join her as she presents methods to tackle common homeowner landscaping problems with environmentally-friendly, low-cost solutions. Her discussion will include unwanted pests, privacy, pollinators, incorporating natives, and more!

Lunch together at St. Olaf is a great way to conclude our 2014 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.