Author Archives: big river big woods

Miles for Monarchs

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Miles for Monarchs is a twice-yearly event held by Wild One’s partner, Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) that corresponds to the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) fall and spring migration. Each fall, North American monarchs travel 3,000 miles from their summer breeding grounds to overwintering locations. Learn more about the migration with MJV’s interactive map.  

 

Miles for Monarchs is more than just a run—it’s a movement aimed at raising awareness and funds for the conservation of these iconic pollinators. The event invites individuals and teams to log miles as a symbolic representation of the long migration journey that monarch butterflies undertake each year. The fall “migration” will be hosted from August 28 – October 1.

 

Register to Join Team Wild Ones.

August 10: In the Field – Ecology-based Landscape Practice

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Date & Time: Thursday, August 10th, 2023, 9 AM – 4:30 PM CT,  Location: 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711,  Fee: $265,  Conducted by NDAL, New Directions in the American Landscape

Our visit will begin at the Darrel Morrison-designed Native Plant Garden. This 4-acre planting provides a masterfully designed miniaturization of the prairie and savanna landscapes we will explore later in the day. These will include the 73-acre Curtis Prairie and the 47-acre Green Prairie, two of the most renowned achievements in the history of ecological restoration. There we will conduct an in-depth examination of how these stunning prairie landscapes were conceived, planted, and managed. We will also visit part of the Grady Savanna near Greene Prairie, where extensive restoration has been in progress over the past decade.

This event is cosponsored by Wild Ones, whose members receive 10% off the registration fee (they can email info@ndal.org for the discount code). CEUs are available for landscape professionals, as well as student pricing.
 

Here is the In the Field Sessions landing page where you can view more details about the program and register.

Highways for Habitat

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Another bill the legislature passed this year sets up Highways for Habitat.

“The commissioner must establish a highways for habitat program to enhance roadsides with pollinator and other wildlife habitat and vegetative buffers.”

State roadside managers will be mandated to use integrated vegetation management practices and plant habitat for birds, pollinators and wildlife, for erosion control and pollution buffers. Our hope is to extend this program in the future to allow county and local roadways to voluntarily apply for funding to install roadside habitat.

April 28: Garlic Mustard Pull in Roseville

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Garlic mustard is a highly invasive plant that crowds out native plants.  Join other volunteers to pull in areas of infestation.  

Friday, April 28th, 9:30AM-11:30AM  East Reservoir Woods, Roseville, MN
Meet/park in the circle (Reservoir Woods Circle) just southeast of Roselawn off McCarron’s Blvd. Near the McCarron entrance to Reservoir Woods where N. McCarron’s Blvd changes to S. McCarron’s Blvd.

May 2, 3: Tree Planting Event at Hand in Hand Montessori

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The children of the Hand in Hand Montessori, 211 N. McCarrons Blvd., Roseville, with adult supervision, have done buckthorn abatement in a section of the campus. At this event they will plant 100 native trees. Volunteers to help with planting are welcome. We do not need the volunteers to check in at the office if they meet me outside by the woods by the big green frog (just oustide the NW corner of the building.) Our HR person may have a little letter for each of the volunteers. I don’t think they have to sign anything and we will waive the ‘check in the office’ part because they are not in the building. We will dress for the weather, but can’t be out in lightning.

Dates and times:
May 2, Tuesday PM 1:00 – 3:00
May 3, Wednesday AM 9:00 – 11:40 (break at 9:40)
May 3, Wednesday PM 12:25 – 3:00 (no break)

Please send us an email if you are interested in volunteering for this event: contact@bigriverbigwoods.org

May 9 will be the back up time slot in case trees arrive late.  1:00 – 3:00 PM.

May 10: Happy Soil, Happy Plants

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Do you know how much the health of your soil determines the health of your plants? This Seed Talk is about what is healthy soil and how do you improve your garden soil. Also, why healthy soil that is full of microorganisms is the best for improving vegetable yields, flowering plants and can even improve the health of our earth.

This is a Zoom meeting and you need to register on the Ramsey County library website at least 3 hours prior to the start of the Seed Talk.

Seed Talks are discussions with community members led by Horticulturist, lifelong gardener and one of the White Bear Lake Seed Library founders:
Pam Larson Frink