Prairie Perspectives 2016: Second Annual Workshop and Retreat

This field trip is full.

Co-sponsored by Minnesota School of Botanical Art and Minnesota Native Plant Society.

Leaders:
Marilyn Garber: Director of Minnesota School of Botanical Art
Nancy Sather: Ecological resource person
Malcolm and Rosemary MacFarlane: Botanical resources
TBD: volunteer logistical and leisure activity coordinators

Botanical Artists: Explore the morphology of native plants under various growing conditions in several habitats; sketching in the field. Develop your palette of color samples, learn proper methods of plant collection and photography to assure realistic depictions.

Plant lovers: Explore new locations of fens, prairies, and rock outcrops. Shalom Hill Farm lies in the center of a circle of at least 15 potential destinations to be selected depending on the conditions of the season. These include upland prairies, rock outcrops, “waterfalls,” mesic prairies, and wetland complexes with calcareous fens.  Two prime publicly owned forests are a little over an hour away.

Location and facilities: Shalom Hill Farm is between Jeffers and Windom, approximately 3 ½ hours west of the Twin Cities by way of State Highway 30.  The nearest gas stations and public dining are a half hour drive and have limited hours.We will have access to a library, workroom for art, several small gathering spaces, sauna, dining/assembly room, and kitchen. Bedding is provided.  Common spaces and one floor of the facility are handicap accessible. We will prepare our own shared meals using provisions contributed by participants.Alcoholic beverages are allowed in moderation with meals. SHF is a no-smoking facility.

Cost:  This retreat has a cost based on the cost of lodging, facility use and equalizing the cost of food.There is an additional cost of $1 per person per meal for kitchen use. A volunteer logistical coordinator will collect and submit checks for lodging to SHF in advance of the event to secure our reservation of the facilities. If you have taken a class at MSBA, are a member of the Great River Chapter of ASBA, or a member of the Minnesota Native Plant Society (MNNPS), there is no additional registration cost. If you lack these affiliations, you can join the MNNPS online at: https://mnnps.org/membership/. Membership is $15 for individuals or families, $8 for seniors.

How to register:

Registration is closed – this field trip is full.

Retreat culture:

This is a low key, participatory retreat where everyone chips in to make it happen. We want to create opportunities for everyone. It has plenty of opportunities to either get out (in nature) or hang out (at Shalom) in fun sharing and fellowship. People of all ages are welcome, but most participants are on the “older” side. People with limited mobility or stamina are welcome.  It is not the best for loners. Meals are prepared and shared family style. A list of recommended items to bring will be distributed by e-mail to participants.  Plant collecting is not allowed in most preserves and managed areas.