Chapter Events

The Northwoods are experiencing dramatic change and many northern tree species are dying. Without any intervention, researchers predict that the landscape in northeastern Minnesota will become mostly open grasslands within the next 50 years. If this happens, our regional economy, wildlife, culture, and everything that depends on the forest will be permanently changed.
We will explore how the Forest Assisted Migration Project (FAMP) is working to help re-establish a resilient northern forest and bolster the regional economy by:

Come learn, share, discuss how this project fits with your interest and your organization’s mission and actions.

CANCELLED due to pending snowstorm & will be scheduled for a later date.

Gene Schmidt grew up in NW Iowa, earning a degree from Buena Vista College & City University, London. Moved to the Duluth area in 1985 and has worked for Prairie Restorations Inc. the last 15 years as Tree/Shrub Production Manager.

Ryan Sullivan grew up in SW Minnesota and earned a degree from North Dakota State University. Worked with the MN DNR and The Nature Conservancy doing plant surveys, and has worked for Prairie Restorations Inc. the last three years in seed and tree/shrub production.

(Program postponed from February)

6:30 pm socialize, 7 pm program

Gene Schmidt grew up in NW Iowa, earning a degree from Buena Vista College & City University, London. Moved to the Duluth area in 1985 and has worked for Prairie Restorations Inc. the last 15 years as Tree/Shrub Production Manager.

Ryan Sullivan grew up in SW Minnesota and earned a degree from North Dakota State University. Worked with the MN DNR and The Nature Conservancy doing plant surveys, and has worked for Prairie Restorations Inc. the last three years in seed and tree/shrub production.
 

Pam’s Observation Hill lot had a bit of neglect during the last year when her family was displaced due to a January 2022 fire. A large tree was removed, which could be replaced by sun loving plants. Pam just retired from a busy career; is ready to learn how to develop a native landscape. Caution: very steep terrain! 

Second half of the evening we can walk to 7th Ave West to view a prairie planting that had a prescribed burn (with permits and guidance from city of Duluth) last Spring.

Help clean up our Leif Erickson native demonstration garden from 10 - 11:30 am.  Bring a pruner, weeder, gloves, water bottle, and a kneeling pad if you wish.  Dress for the weather & bugs!

Due to rain, rescheduled to Thurs. June 29.

"As is typical of most homes on the upper side of the street, I have a sloped front yard down to the street with pine trees providing some shade throughout the day. My backyard is of equal size with apple and chestnut trees providing much shade and lovely smells. Six years ago, a pollinator garden was installed in the front yard by Shoreview Natives. This area is about 50 x 30 ft. The garden has blossomed and grown and is looking quite good. The next summer, Shoreview installed a smaller garden in the backyard near the garage foundation in an already established bed (20 x 5 ft). This garden has done quite well with the sun radiating heat off of the warm concrete of the foundation. There is a strip of sedge grass near my side door. I had a fence installed last summer, as well. This summer, I decided to get a hive of bees and they live in the backyard garden. I would like advice with some problem spots that I am having, which include two smaller beds and what to put there, a walkway ground cover, possibly moving the sedge grass to a different spot, bare spots in the pollinator garden, and providing some separation between the neighbors."

"Thank- you for your interest in our little hamlet. We moved into our home about 22 years ago. At that time there were only 4 apple trees and a few shrubs planted. The larger pond by the driveway was put in by the previous owners. 
Over the years we started adding gardens, trees, fruiting shrubs, a second pond…sort of a permaculture design. We used to have chickens and after they were gone, we planted a native garden there and it has really taken off (even during the drought)! No surprise there. 
We became a Monarch certified garden about 6 years ago. We have lots of milkweed and caterpillars this year! I also have tea gardens and I forage for various plants/ weeds to make medicinal salves, oils, soaps etc for my small business -Morning Star Arts and Botanicals .
 I love to eat weeds too! I make batches of wild pesto every summer. We have 5 acres and slowly but surely are getting rid of the lawn and planting more native plants. "

Carpooling recommended:  park in Lakeview Covenant Church lot at Glenwood & Jean Duluth Rd.

Margaret and Lee’s gardens fill over 60% of our lot; and expand every year.
It all started with a Lawns to Legumes grant from MN DNR in 2020. Several methods were used to delete sod: cardboard & mulch, black plastic cover, and renting a sod cutter. The rolled-up sod was used to create a berm for privacy .
This year, we added bee lawn, which has been a lush ,vibrant area during drought months.

Park on odd side of street.

Service project: planting natives in Hartley Nature Center parking island, 6 pm.  Bring a trowel, shovel, kneeling pad, gallon jug of water. Plants will be provided for the dry sunny area, bring more if you wish, spread mulch afterward.

6:30 pm socialize, 7 pm - Film: Urban & Suburban Meadows. 
Michael Nadeau, Larry Weaner and Neil Diboll, highly regarded experts in meadow/prairie establishment discuss site preparation, design, planting and maintenance. Doug Tallamy talks about the native plant, native insect connection.

(-60 min.)  Popcorn provided.  Film rescheduled from 2022.
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Drawing for 1 year WO membership (guests only)!

Join Wild Ones Honorary Director Heather Holm as she explores the nesting habitats, life cycles, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of some of the most common native bees in eastern North America, while highlighting the pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees.

When creating and managing thriving habitats for native bees, many factors such as seasonal phenology, nesting strategies, and flower preferences must be considered—and with approximately 3,600 species in North America (north of Mexico), there are many unique aspects to keep in mind when managing successful landscapes for bees. 

Heather will present in person at Wood Lake Nature Center (Richfield, MN) with a hybrid Zoom set up.  Members are welcome to attend in person.
Our Arrowhead chapter is a co-host.  Zoom link will be emailed in October.

Chapter native seed exchange & winter sowing demonstration.

Bring your dry seeds in containers labeled with name, color, soil type, sunlight needs, etc.

Nomination of 2024 chapter officers & 2 at-large board members.

Drawing for 1 year WO membership (guests only)!

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring authors, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox, as they present their latest book, "The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants." This comprehensive compendium is a treasure trove of knowledge for gardeners looking to incorporate native prairie plants into their landscapes. Neil and Hilary will delve into the making and application of this essential guide, sharing rich historical and ecological insights about prairie ecosystems, all while showcasing stunning images of prairie flora. 

Presented by Jeff Jackson, UM Extension.

  
Chapter election for 2024 board members & officers.

The Natural Resources Research Institute, Duluth, MN, uses traditional breeding techniques to develop fast-growing poplar varieties. One of their top performers, InnovaTree™, is patent-pending and licensed for sale. It was rigorously tested in research plantations throughout the upper Midwest. Its fast growth and disease resistance provide value for many applications. We will discuss good and bad landscape applications for it, and what is still unknown about it.

Jeff Jackson is an Extension Educator focused on forest ecosystem health and the Natural Resource Research Institute’s hybrid poplar program. He is part of an Extension Education team that specializes in collaborative learning and social-ecological innovation. Jeff’s chief area of interest is developing networks of people who work together to support the innovative use of natural resources.

Winter planning meeting.