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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20260329T231453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260404T131311Z
UID:1537-1775156400-1775161800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:The Evolution of Wetland Seed Mixes\, Revegetation and Management
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Video page. \nPresenter: Dan Shaw – Sr. Ecologist & Vegetation Specialist\, MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) \nProgram: The Evolution of Wetland Seed Mixes\, Revegetation and Management \nDescription: Minnesota’s wetland plant communities are changing due to climate change\, development\, increased nutrients\, and invasive species. These impacts are contributing to declining pollinator\, bird\, and other wildlife populations\, and decreasing wetland functions. Fortunately\, the conservation community in Minnesota has been actively addressing challenges and pursuing new strategies for restoring and managing wetlands and other aquatic systems. This presentation will cover emerging methods for seed mix design\, site preparation\, seeding\, and wetland management; and we’ll discuss future challenges for wetlands and needs for further study and innovation. \nBiography: Dan Shaw is the Senior Ecologist and Vegetation Specialist with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). Over the last 30 years his work has focused on plant community restoration\, climate mitigation and adaptation\, rare species protection\, invasive species control and building conservation partnerships. He has also taught ecological design and restoration classes at the University of Minnesota for the past 25 years and authored or co-authored several books on native plants and restoration.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/the-evolution-of-wetland-seed-mixes-revegetation-and-management/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260312T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260312T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20260303T220038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260314T163932Z
UID:1528-1773342000-1773347400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Peat Keepers: Healing Minnesota’s Carbon-Rich Landscapes
DESCRIPTION:The recorded video is available on the Videos page. \nPresenter: Meredith Cornett – MNDNR Peatland Resilience Project Planner \nProgram: Peat Keepers: Healing Minnesota’s Carbon-Rich Landscapes \nDescription: With more peatlands than any other state in the US outside Alaska\, Minnesota has a role to play in sustaining and restoring peatlands as part of a multifaceted climate mitigation strategy. The state’s Climate Action Framework recognizes the power of peatlands\, naming the restoration of partially drained peatlands as an important strategy for climate mitigation. The 2023 Minnesota Legislature created the MNDNR’s Peatland Protection and Restoration Demonstration Project as a first step toward implementing the Climate Action Framework’s peatland strategy. We will dive into peatland restoration work being planned for the DNR’s Winter Road Lake Peatland Scientific and Natural Area in Lake of the Woods County\, including our approach to monitoring pre-restoration conditions for vegetation\, hydrology and greenhouse gases. For more information about the project: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wetlands/peatland-resilience-initiative.html \nBiography: Meredith Cornett is the Peatland Resilience Project Planner at Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR)\, a role she has held since January 2024. She has come full circle in returning to the DNR\, where she began her professional career in conservation as a Community Forest Ecologist in the Twin Cities Metro Area. For nearly two decades\, Meredith served as Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota\, North Dakota\, and South Dakota. Over the years\, she has also enjoyed working with students and faculty at the University of Minnesota through an adjunct appointment in the Conservation Sciences Graduate Program. She lives with her family in Fredenberg Township\, where they harvest sunlight\, tend beehives\, protect pine seedlings from deer browsing\, and coexist with human and other neighbors.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/peat-keepers-healing-minnesotas-carbon-rich-landscapes/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20260208T162106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260214T213628Z
UID:1518-1770922800-1770928200@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Active augmentation and recovery of rare species and native orchids – what we’re learning so far
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Video page. \nPresenter: Dr. David Remucal – Curator of Endangered Plants\, Adjunct Professor University of Minnesota \nBiography: The Plant Conservation Program works to promote the conservation of rare and native plant species of Minnesota\, reaching region and nation-wide. Our focus is on individual species preservation\, with a focus on applied research and ex situ conservation. We manage a long-term seed bank for rare plants and native orchids. As part of this work\, we research the propagation of all of these species\, with special attention to the complex propagation and ecology of terrestrial orchids. Our goal is to create a rigorously scientifically-supported set of guidelines and protocols for preserving and restoring some of the most complex species which are not currently restoration material as well as develop the infrastructure to support restoration efforts with these plants with field protocols and scaled-up production of the plants. As climate change and human manipulation of the environment progresses\, this work becomes increasingly vital and must extend beyond pure basic research to application.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/active-augmentation-and-recovery-of-rare-species-and-native-orchids-what-were-learning-so-far/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251218T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251218T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20251214T220221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251220T194214Z
UID:1507-1766084400-1766089800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:An Evening of Q&A with Ron Bowen\, founder of Prairie Restorations\, Inc.
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Videos page. \nPresenter: Ron Bowen – founder of Prairie Restorations\, Inc. \nProgram: Spend an evening participating in a Q&A with special guest Ron Bowen\, founder of Prairie Restorations\, Inc. \nPresenter Biography: Ron began dreaming of and creating what would become Prairie Restorations\, Inc. (PRI) in the early 1970s after finishing a forestry degree at the University of Minnesota. His first restorations were created while working as a gardener for Bruce Dayton of the famed Dayton family.  PRI was incorporated in 1977 as Ron and his brother John moved the business up to the Anoka Sandplain and ramped up seed and plant production. Over time\, PRI has grown to be a leader in the ecological restoration movement\, continuing to do meaningful projects and inspiring others to do the important work of restoring native plant communities. \nWe will be exploring the early days\, with stories of challenges and successes\, hear about some of Ron’s favorite plants\, and what is in store for the future of Ron and PRI. \n 
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/an-evening-of-qa-with-ron-bowen-founder-of-prairie-restorations-inc/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251112T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251112T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20251105T191942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251115T183741Z
UID:1500-1762974000-1762979400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Fire behavior and tree mortality\, by Dr. Lee Frelich
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Video page. \nPresenter: Dr. Lee Frelich – Director of the Center for Forest Ecology\, University of Minnesota \nPresenter Biography: Lee Frelich is Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology. He has authored 200 publications with 275 coauthors from 25 countries. He is listed among the top 1% of all scientists in the world (Ecology and Environment category) by the Web of Science. His research has been featured in the news media 500 times\, including The New York Times\, Newsweek and Washington Post. Current research interests include large-scale fire and wind\, earthworm invasion\, and climate change in temperate and boreal forests.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/fire-behavior-and-tree-mortality/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251009T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251009T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20251001T144222Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T130822Z
UID:1490-1760036400-1760041800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Red Lake Wildlife Management Area History and Habitat Management
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Videos page. \nPresenters: Charlie Tucker– Manager at Red Lake Wildlife Management Area \nProgram: Charlie will discuss the settlement history of the Red Lake WMA area\, and how it relates to current land ownership. He will also talk about using Native Plant Community information to manage for a variety of forest habitats. Ongoing WMA habitat management projects will be discussed. \nBio: Charlie Tucker grew up in Saint Paul before pursuing an undergraduate degree in wildlife ecology from UW-Madison. He worked for various conservation entities before attaining a Master of Science in biology from Missouri State University. His project focused on the breeding ecology of ornate box turtles where he was fortunate to conduct research on large remnant sand prairies in the driftless area of Illinois. After working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service for a couple years\, he returned to Minnesota as the assistant wildlife manager at Red Lake WMA. For the last two years he has been the manager at Red Lake WMA\, the largest Wildlife Management Area in Minnesota.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/red-lake-wildlife-management-area-history-and-habitat-management/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250512T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250512T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20250428T131156Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250501T115208Z
UID:1477-1747076400-1747081800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Lessons Learned in Protecting and Restoring Biodiversity
DESCRIPTION:Note: This meeting is rescheduled from Thursday\, May 1 to Monday\, May 12 and will be a hybrid meeting both in-person at Dakota Lodge and on-line through Zoom. MNNPS members\, check your email for instructions. \nPresenters: Bonnie Harper-Lore & Gary Lore \nProgram: LESSONS LEARNED IN PROTECTING AND RESTORING BIODIVERSITY\, a new book by 85 scientists\, educators\, practitioners\, policymakers and citizen scientists\, published 9.13.24 by Cambridge Scholars Press. \nGary Lore and Bonnie Harper-Lore collected a network of conservation stories\, written in the authors’ own voices to share with the next generation\, when time and money will continue to be short to solve conservation problems\, impacted by  climate change\, development\, invasives and public policy. \nReaders\, including students\, professionals and advocates can build on these lessons learned at the local\, state\, federal\, and international levels.  Some 52 disciplines are represented because it takes a multidisciplinary approach to do conservation work.  These are the actions we took to get it done. \nGary K. Lore holds a BA in environmental ethics\, economics\, and communications from Metro State University\, Minnesota.  The majority of his career was in integrated vegetation management for the Colorado Department of Highways\, followed by consulting in the midwest.  Gary spent 12 years as a federal public affairs officer.  Over time he edited and wrote features and columns for Colorado Streamside Quarterly\, Trout magazine\, “Outdoor Lore”\, Minnesota Vietnam Veterans Quarterly\, The Metropolitan (Editor) and more. Gary grew up on the prairie of the Nebraska sand hills. \nBonnie L. Harper-Lore holds a MS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she focused on preservation\, restoration and management of native plant communities.  As a restoration ecologist she spent 20 years with State and federal roadside programs\, providing technical transfer\, research oversight and policy support to 50 State Departments of Transportation.  During that time\, she served as editor of a quarterly newsletter\, Greener Roadsides.  She also co-authored Roadside Use of Native Plants\, Roadside Weed Management and Vegetation Management\, an Ecoregional Approach. Bonnie grew up in the driftless area of Wisconsin with a goat prairie behind the barn.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/lessons-learned-in-protecting-and-restoring-biodiversity/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bonnie-Harper-Lore-Book.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250403T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250403T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20250328T161956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250405T130101Z
UID:1468-1743706800-1743712200@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:A Dozen of My Favorite Minnesota Plant Stories
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Videos page. \n7:00 PM Meeting starts \nMN PlantWatch Update by Angela Miner\, Conservation Botanist with the MN Landscape Arboretum. \nProgram: A Dozen of My Favorite Minnesota Plant Stories \nPresenter: Dr. Stephen Saupe\, Emeritus Professor (Plant Taxonomy\, Secondary Metabolism of Plants and Fungi) – St. John’s University
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/a-dozen-of-my-favorite-minnesota-plant-stories/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250306T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250306T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20250125T132554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250311T231547Z
UID:1457-1741287600-1741293000@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:From Data to Diversity: Modernizing Minnesota's Native Plant Community System
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is on the Videos page. \nPresenter: Alaina Berger\, NPC Classification Coordinator\,  Division of Ecological and Water Resources\, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources \nProgram: From Data to Diversity: Modernizing Minnesota’s Native Plant Community System \nMinnesota DNR’s Native Plant Community Classification is a dynamic tool for conservation\, vegetation management\, and land-use planning\, evolving with new data and user experiences. This talk will highlight ongoing efforts to integrate two decades of vegetation data and address knowledge gaps in various plant communities across Minnesota. \nSpeaker Bio: Alaina Berger is an experienced Forest Ecologist with a passion for understanding and preserving forest ecosystems. With a BS degree in Environmental Science and a Master of Science in Forest Ecology at the University of Minnesota\, she has dedicated over 30 years to studying plant communities and how they respond to changes in their environment. Alaina has worked on various projects\, from mapping natural habitats to developing guidelines for forest management. Her past research has focused on understory flora response to forest stand structure and disturbance from management activities. Alaina has extensive experience with the Native Plant Community Classification\, including 12 years in various roles at the MNDNR\, where she was part of the initial launch of the Native Plant Classification. Currently\, she serves as the Native Plant Classification Revision Coordinator with the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) at the DNR. She coordinates a 3-year project to modernize the DNR Native Plant Community Classification system. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to maintaining the health and diversity of Minnesota’s natural landscapes.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/from-data-to-diversity-modernizing-minnesotas-native-plant-community-system/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250206T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250206T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20250125T132236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250208T185737Z
UID:1455-1738868400-1738873800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Rare Plant Conservation in Wisconsin
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Videos page. \nPresenter: Kevin Doyle – Botanist with the Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources \nProgram: Rare Plant Conservation in Wisconsin \nThis talk will provide an overview of different types of rare plant conservation projects the Wisconsin DNR is working with\, including status assessments\, hand pollination\, outplantings\, assisted migration\, and citizen science. \nSpeaker Bio: Kevin Doyle is a botanist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He received a bachelor’s degree in conservation biology from UW-Madison and a master’s in plant biology from the University of Texas at Austin. In his role as DNR botanist for the last 12 years he has conducted botanical and ecological surveys across Wisconsin\, working in almost every county in the state. He focuses on rare plants in particular and started the Rare Plant Monitoring Program in 2013 to train volunteers to search for and collect data on rare plant populations to inform conservation efforts.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/rare-plant-conservation-in-wisconsin/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241205T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241205T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20241125T183002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241208T193945Z
UID:1449-1733425200-1733430600@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Oak Origins: From Acorns to Species and the Tree of Life
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Videos page. \nPresenter: Andrew Hipp – Author of Oak Origins \nProgram: Andrew will discuss his new book: Oak Origins\, From Acorns to Species and the Tree of Life. From ancient acorns to future forests\, the story of how oaks evolved and the many ways they shape our world. \nThe following is a link to The University of Chicago Press to view Andrew’s book. \nhttps://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/O/bo236998258.html
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/oak-origins-from-acorns-to-species-and-the-tree-of-life/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241107T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241107T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20240921T000032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241109T151337Z
UID:1434-1731006000-1731011400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:A Seed’s Journey: Can the Seed Rain and Seed Bank Supply Missing Diversity to Restored Prairies?
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Videos page. \nPresenter: Dr. Katherine Wynne\, Plant Ecologist Midwest Natural Resources Saint Paul\, Minnesota. \nSpeaker Bio: Dr. Katherine Wynne graduated with a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Ecology\, Evolution\, and Behavior from Michigan State University in 2024 and a B.A. in Biology from Kalamazoo College in 2017. Since 2016\, she has developed\, led\, and collaborated on plant-focused research projects at the population and community level. These projects include working with rare Lake Michigan dune plants and restored and remnant tallgrass prairie plant communities in Texas\, Oklahoma\, and Missouri.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/a-seeds-journey-can-the-seed-rain-and-seed-bank-supply-missing-diversity-to-restored-prairies/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241003T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241003T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20240920T213520Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241008T214624Z
UID:1432-1727982000-1727987400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Euphorbia: how to make sense of the large genus of 2000+ species\, and the common members in Minnesota
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Videos page. \nPresenter: Dr. Ya Yang – Associate Professor\, Curator – University of Minnesota Herbarium \nSpeaker Bio: Dr. Ya Yang grew up in Beijing\, China\, where she did her undergraduate degree at the Peking University\, Beijing\, China. She then moved on to do her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan\, Ann Arbor\, focusing on the systematics of Euphorbia subgenus Chamaesyce. During that time she also co-authored treatments for the genus Euphorbia in Flora of North America. Currently\, Dr. Yang is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota\, Twin Cities\, and a curator at the University of Minnesota Herbarium. Her research focuses on the evolution of plant lineages using morphology\, biochemistry\, and gene sequences\, using plants in the order Caryophyllales and Euphorbia. She teaches General Botany at the University of Minnesota.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/euphorbia-how-to-make-sense-of-the-large-genus-of-2000-species-and-the-common-members-in-minnesota/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240502T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240502T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20240424T151203Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240424T151203Z
UID:1415-1714676400-1714681800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Collaborating to Conserving Native Characeae in Minnesota Lakes
DESCRIPTION:This will be an on-line Zoom meeting only. MNNPS members\, check your email for instructions. \n7:00 PM Meeting starts \nProgram: Collaborating to Conserving Native Characeae in Minnesota Lakes \nTalk Abstract  \nThe Characeae\, a family comprised of large\, morphologically complex\, freshwater green algae are among the closest living relatives of the first land plants. Commonly known as “stoneworts”\, they are essential components of lakes throughout Minnesota\, yet their preservation is hindered by a lack of expertise in identification. The 2015 discovery of “starry stonewort”\, the only known invasive member of this family\, in a Minnesota lake underscores the importance of studying the distribution\, diversity\, and ecological roles of native Characeae. Through collaboration among the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources\, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe\, and the New York Botanical Garden\, our project aims to enhance knowledge and proficiency in Characeae identification and ecology. Employing field surveys\, microscopic analyses\, and phylogenetic studies\, our team has identified numerous native Characeae species and monitored the spread of the invasive. Our collaborative initiative seeks to integrate Characeae sampling into routine lake surveys\, train surveyors in Characeae identification\, and establish baseline data on Characeae communities statewide. Conducting surveys across 650 waterbodies statewide and intensive searches in lakes within the Leech Lake Reservation\, our project will inform lake management strategies\, aid in prioritizing lakes for conservation efforts\, and facilitate monitoring of changes in lake habitats\, thereby bolstering the conservation of Minnesota’s lake ecosystems. In this presentation\, we provide a preliminary update of our project. \nPresenters  \nDonna J. Perleberg\, Research Scientist II\, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources\, Brainerd\, MN \nKate A. Hagsten\, Plant Program Director\, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Division of Resource Management\, Cass Lake\, MN \nMelinda Neville\, Earth Systems Science Program Director\, Leech Lake Tribal College\, Cass Lake\, MN \nLeanna Goose\, Research Student\, Leech Lake Tribal College\, Cass Lake\, MN \nKenneth G. Karol\, Ph.D.\, Associate Curator\, The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Program for Molecular Systematics\, New York Botanical Garden\, The Bronx\, NY
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/collaborating-to-conserving-native-characeae-in-minnesota-lakes/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240404T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240404T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20240402T125517Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240406T155635Z
UID:1406-1712257200-1712262600@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Smokey the Beaver: how beaver dams keep riparian corridors green during droughts and wildfires
DESCRIPTION:The recorded presentation is available on the Video page. \n7:00 PM Meeting starts\, doors will open at 6:30 PM \nTalk Summary: Beaver dams and beaver mimicry (e.g. Beaver Dam Analogs) are gaining popularity as a low‐cost\, nature-based strategy to build climate resiliency at the landscape scale. Beavers slow and store water in their ponds\, canals\, and the surrounding soil during wet periods which can then be accessed by riparian vegetation during droughts. As a result\, the well-watered vegetation in beaver-dammed riparian corridors is less flammable. My research has shown that these beaver-influenced patches of the landscape stay green and can serve as fire refugia\, preserving intact\, mature riparian habitat – even during fires here in the Great Lakes Region. Perhaps instead of relying solely on human engineering and management to create and maintain drought and fire‐resistant waterways and riparian zones\, we could benefit from partnering with beaver’s ecosystem engineering to achieve the same goals at a lower cost. \nPresenter Bio:  Emily Fairfax is an Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota and an affiliate faculty member at the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory. Dr. Fairfax double majored in Chemistry and Physics as an undergraduate at Carleton College\, then went on to earn a PhD in Geological Sciences with an emphasis in Hydrologic Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder. She uses a combination of remote sensing\, modeling\, and field work to understand how beaver ecosystem engineering can create drought and fire-resistant patches in the landscape under a changing climate.  Her research has been featured internationally in National Geographic\, the New York Times\, the LA Times\, BBC\, Vox\, and others. When Dr. Fairfax says she can talk about beavers all day\, she’s not kidding.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/smokey-the-beaver-how-beaver-dams-keep-riparian-corridors-green-during-droughts-and-wildfires/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240307T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240307T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20240219T225355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T173026Z
UID:1385-1709838000-1709843400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Comparing the impacts of patch-burn grazing on vegetation in two northern tallgrass prairies
DESCRIPTION:Presenter: Fred Harris\, plant ecologist\, MN DNR (retired) \nThe recorded Zoom presentation is available on the Video page.\n \nPlant of the Month: The genus Phemeranthus “Everything you ever wanted to know about Phemeranthus\, but…” \nTalk Summary: MN Biological Survey has long term projects to monitor the effects of management on the prairie in two of the earliest and largest patch-burn grazing projects in Minnesota: at Chippewa Prairie and at Hole in the Mountain WMA. This presentation will review patch-burn grazing management\, differences in results related to different cattle densities\, and overall conclusions regarding the importance of monitoring\, adaptive management and research in prairie management. \nPresenter Bio: Fred Harris is a plant ecologist who worked for the Minnesota Biological Survey from 1992 to 2024 (just recently retired). He conducted surveys to document what remains of significant natural areas and rare plant populations in 27 counties in Minnesota – mostly in the prairie region but also the Big Woods and a portion of the Blufflands. Since 2010\, he has also coordinated several projects to monitor the effects of cattle grazing management in Minnesota prairies. Prior to working for the DNR\, he spent a year with The Nature Conservancy and completed a PhD thesis on the physiological ecology of several species of Phemeranthus.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/comparing-the-impacts-of-patch-burn-grazing-on-vegetation-in-two-northern-tallgrass-prairies/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240201T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240201T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20240125T133519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240204T003452Z
UID:1377-1706814000-1706819400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:MN PlantWatch
DESCRIPTION:Presented by: Angela Miner and Deanna Leigh. \nThe recorded Zoom presentation is available on the Video page. \nMN PlantWatch is a new community science initiative that supports the conservation of Minnesota’s rare native plants. Volunteers search for plants in their natural habitats\, collect important data about species location\, population health and potential threats\, and contribute to conservation seed banking. We will share stories and accomplishments from the 2023 inaugural field season. Learn what it is like to volunteer\, future goals for the program and how you might become involved. \nAngela Miner is the Conservation Botanist for the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum (UMLA). She works with the UMLA’s Plant Conservation Program to conserve\, research\, and bank seed for MN’s rare plant species. She holds a degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota\, has worked with habitat management and restoration with The Nature Conservancy\, and began working with the MN PlantWatch program in the spring of 2023. \nDeanna Leigh is a Community Science Program Coordinator with the DNR’s Minnesota Biological Survey. She holds a BS in Environmental Studies from Trinity Western University and a MS in Environmental Science from Western Washington University. She pursued various natural resources and field research opportunities across North America before returning to her home state of Minnesota in 2017 for a position with DNR Parks and Trails. She joined MN PlantWatch in April 2023 and is thrilled to be working with rare species.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/mn-plantwatch/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20231102T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20231102T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20231011T140954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231104T211942Z
UID:1347-1698951600-1698957000@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Minnesota's Peatlands: Climate Change\, Carbon\, and Cool Plants
DESCRIPTION:Presenter: Laura Reuling\, Research Scientist\, University of Minnesota \nThe recorded program is available on the Video page.\n \nLaura Reuling is a researcher scientist at the University of Minnesota in the silviculture program. Her research explores applied questions about forest ecology\, forest stand dynamics\, and regeneration. Current projects include exploring stand development and forest composition in peatland forests\, forest response to fire in northern Minnesota\, and the impacts of biochar as a soil additive on seedling survival and growth.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/minnesotas-peatlands-climate-change-carbon-and-cool-plants/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20231005T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20231005T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20230927T135850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231009T160749Z
UID:1341-1696532400-1696537800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Discussion on Welby Smith’s newly published book\, Ferns and Lycophytes of Minnesota
DESCRIPTION:Presenter: Welby Smith\, State Botanist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources \nThe recorded presentation is available on the Videos page.\n \nPlease join us for the upcoming monthly meeting with our presenter\, Welby Smith\, who will discuss his newly published book\, Ferns and Lycophytes of Minnesota. Welby will share some interesting stories about ferns and discuss the book itself and the key people behind this great new resource! \nTerrace Horticultural Books (Kent Petterson) will have Welby’s new book available for sale at the meeting\, so this will give folks an opportunity to both purchase the book and support a local business. The cost for Welby’s book will be $40 (tax included). Kent from THB will be able to accept payment by credit card\, cash\, and check. \nThe following is a book review of Welby’s book by Kent. \nBook Review: Ferns and Lycophytes Of Minnesota \nA new flora for Minnesota from State Botanist\, Welby Smith\, has been added to his impressive list of work on plants in Minnesota. Ferns and Lycophytes of Minnesota is the first new field guide on ferns\, (more on Lycophytes a bit later) in over 40 years. The book is published by the University of Minnesota (ISBN978-1-5179-1466-0) @ $39.95. Editors have repeated the format of Smith’s 2018 Sedges and Rushes of Minnesota\, for this updated flora that incorporates rapidly advancing DNA understandings of these plants. \nA previous flora\, Ferns of Minnesota by Rolla Tryon was last updated in 1980. An aborted attempt at an update by Warren Wagner of the University of Michigan in partnership with Smith ended in 2000 with the death of Wagner. \nWith this new flora\, Welby Smith has not gone alone with this addition to the Minnesota Biological Survey. Support from the Minnesota DNR\, specimen photography by Richard Haug\, and also help from a long list of contributors produced this fine addition to our flora. A new complete field guide of appropriate size and heft to species identification. Two pages for each species showing a distribution map\, in several cases color illustrations by Smith that are actually photos that look like water color paintings\, and color specimen ID photos by Haug for 80 fern species\, plus 8 orders of 20 Lycophyte species. \nPer Welby Smith\, “At the beginning of each chapter is a page showing a collage\, then the chapter is broken up into genera. At the start of each genus “subchapter” is a page showing 2-dimensional images of a leaf of each species. All the images on the order and genus pages are photographs that I took. Using photo editing software I placed the images side-by-side to show the differences – in typical field-guide style. Every image in the book is a photograph.  For each species in the book\, there is a page of field photos. That is\, photos of the species in their natural habitat. Rick Haug took maybe 90 percent of these field photos (He’s  the best field photographer I have ever seen.) A number of other people including myself took the rest of the photos.” \nYou will learn a lot about these plants and find ID help for sure in this clear and well written book. There is no doubt\, Welby Smith is a giant in his field. His flora work with books on Orchids\, Trees & Shrubs\, Grasses and Sedges\, and now Ferns and Lycophytes\, together represent 40 years of field work and research.  This book is a must have for any plant enthusiast. \nKent Petterson\nTerrace Horticultural Books
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/discussion-on-welby-smiths-newly-published-book-ferns-and-lycophytes-of-minnesota/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/October-Meeting-Photo-Welbys-Book.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230504T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230504T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20230424T210114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230509T161225Z
UID:1329-1683226800-1683232200@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Minnesota’s North Shore
DESCRIPTION:Presenter: Chel Anderson\, retired botanist & plant ecologist. \nA hybrid in-person (Dakota Lodge) and on-line Zoom meeting. The recorded Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page.\n \n7:00 PM Meeting starts\, doors will open sometime after 6:30 PM \nThis will be our first in-person meeting for the plant society in over three years and we hope some of you are able to join us once again! For those who are unable to be there\, the option of viewing the presentation through Zoom will continue to take place. \nTalk Summary: Northeastern Minnesota straddles the extreme edges of two major North American biomes: the Eastern Deciduous Forest and the Boreal Forest. At this crossroads we find the Lake Superior watershed and MN North Shore. A whirlwind tour of this place—from origins and climate to the diversity and relationships of lands\, communities of plants and animals and waters\, including Lake Superior— will give you an introduction to one of Minnesota‘s marvel-filled landscapes just as winter relinquishes its firm grip. \nAbout the Presenter:  Chel has lived and worked in northeastern Minnesota since 1974. She began her career with the USFS on the Superior National Forest\, then transitioned to a consulting botanist\, forest and plant ecologist. Before retiring to the rest of her life in 2019\, she thrived for a couple of decades as a lead plant ecologist and botanist with the Minnesota Biological Survey. She is co-author with Adelheid Fischer of\, North Shore—A Natural History of Minnesota’s Superior Coast. \nOther Plant Society Business\nBoard Member Elections:  We will have an in-person vote at the May meeting. Those who are current members of the society will be able to vote. The board of directors has suggested the following slate: \nJohn Arthur (Incumbent)\nJennifer Kamm (Incumbent)\nDavid Remucal (Incumbent) \n 
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/minnesotas-north-shore/
LOCATION:Dakota Lodge\, 1200 Stassen Lane\, West St. Paul\, MN\, 55118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230406T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230406T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20230329T122838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230408T180914Z
UID:1311-1680807600-1680813000@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Restoring Ecosystem Functionality and Biodiversity in Minnesota’s Changing Climate
DESCRIPTION:Presenter: Heather Holm\, biologist\, pollinator conservationist\, and award-winning author \nThe Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page. \nTalk Summary: Four unique biomes converge within Minnesota along a southwest to northeast continuum. Prior to Euro-American settlement\, the four contiguous biomes included prairie grassland in southwest and west\, tallgrass aspen parkland in the northwest\, boreal forest in the northeast\, and a mixture of oak savanna\, oak woodland\, and deciduous forest sandwiched in the middle of these western and eastern biomes. These landscapes have since been radically altered and\, with the climate warming\, what does the future have in store for Minnesota’s landscape and remaining biome fragments? The presentation will look into the past to understand these biomes at the time of Euro-American settlement\, and discuss how Native Americans managed and influenced the composition of the biomes with the regular use of fire. Pivoting to look into the future using projected climate modeling\, Heather will address the ecological conditions today\, focusing on oak ecosystems and grasslands\, then paint a picture of what a functional\, biodiverse\, and resilient landscape may look like in the future\, and what actions are needed to achieve these outcomes. \nAbout the Presenter:  Heather is the author of four books: Pollinators of Native Plants (2014)\, Bees (2017)\, Wasps (2021)\, and Common Native Bees of the Eastern United States (2022). Both Bees and Wasps have won multiple book awards including the American Horticultural Society Book Award (2018 and 2022 respectively). Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native pollinators and native plants\, and the natural history and biology of native bees and predatory wasps. Her work has been featured in the New York Times\, Minneapolis Star Tribune\, and many local publications. Heather is also an accomplished photographer and her pollinator photos are frequently featured in print and electronic publications.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/restoring-ecosystem-functionality-and-biodiversity-in-minnesotas-changing-climate/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230302T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230302T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20230224T150823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230304T215539Z
UID:1301-1677783600-1677789000@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:State Seed Mixes\, Their Evolving Role In Addressing Ecological Challenges
DESCRIPTION:Presenter: Dan Shaw\, Senior Ecologist/Vegetation Specialist\, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources \nThe Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page. \nTalk Summary: State seed mixes have evolved over the last 20 years to meet statewide needs for restoration and conservation programs. With our increasing environmental challenges these mixes are taking on greater significance and new seed mixes are in development to address emerging conservation challenges. This presentation will cover the history\, and current activity with state seed mixes\, along with a summary of how seed mix design has been evolving to further support wildlife species and increase the climate resiliency of plantings. Information will also be provided about opportunities to provide input about state seed mixes and fact sheets that are in development to guide their installation and management. \nPresenter Bio:  Dan Shaw is the Senior Ecologist and Vegetation Specialist with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).  His work focuses on plant community restoration\, climate mitigation and adaptation\, pollinator habitat and invasive species control. He has also taught ecological design and restoration classes at the University of Minnesota for the past 21 years and authored or co-authored and illustrated several publications on ecological restoration and stormwater projects.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/state-seed-mixes-their-evolving-role-in-addressing-ecological-challenges/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20230202T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20230202T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20230119T215943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230205T180241Z
UID:1287-1675364400-1675369800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Peatland Restoration as a Natural Climate Solution in Minnesota
DESCRIPTION:Presenter: Kristen Blann\, Lead Freshwater Ecologist with The Nature Conservancy (MN\, ND\, SD) \nThe Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page.\n \nTalk Summary: Peatlands cover 6 million acres or more in Minnesota\, representing more than 10% of the state by area and an estimated 37% of stored terrestrial carbon. However\, drainage of peat soils has caused and continues to drive significant carbon losses to the atmosphere due to oxidation and decomposition.  Given the critical role that protecting and restoring peatlands play in the global carbon cycle\, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Minnesota is working with partners to develop a peatland strategy as part of our overall climate change mitigation efforts.  We have attempted to quantify and refine estimates of peatland conservation and restoration by mapping drained\, partially drained and intact peatlands and extrapolating initial estimates of GHG (CO2 and CH4) stocks and fluxes from literature\, and we are currently implementing GHG monitoring at  a large restored peatland in the Sax Zim Bog.  The presentation will summarize our initial mapping results\, estimates\, and feasibility considerations\, as well as updates on our strategies and research plans. \nPresenter Bio:  Kristen Blann (Conservation Biology\, UMN\, M.S. ‘00\, PhD ‘04) is Lead Freshwater Ecologist with The Nature Conservancy in MN\, ND\, SD. For the past 15+ years\, she has provided technical leadership for freshwater and watershed conservation planning at TNC\, including development of ecological flow and water level criteria to support sustainable water management and lake classification and conservation portfolios in 4 states. In addition to peatland protection\, she is currently working on climate adaptation and protection for wild rice\, as well as science\, restoration and protection strategies for floodplains\, wetlands\, and freshwater in MN\, ND\, and SD. She is based in north central Minnesota where she and her husband raise vegetables\, chickens and grass-fed lamb.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/peatland-restoration-as-a-natural-climate-solution-in-minnesota/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20221201T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20221201T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20221128T145033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221203T142319Z
UID:1281-1669921200-1669926600@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:The University of Minnesota Bell Museum Herbarium: The history\, how it is used\, and the ongoing work.
DESCRIPTION:The recorded Zoom meeting is available on the Video page. \nPresenter: Tim Whitfeld\, Herbarium Collections Manager\, University of Minnesota Bell Museum \nTim will give a brief history of the Bell Museum Herbarium and discuss the way herbarium collections are used by others. He will also go into some of the ongoing work at the Herbarium in the collection including digitizing and the collaboration with researchers and agencies outside the University. Tim will also touch on some of his collecting work in Minnesota and further afield in Papua New Guinea.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/the-university-of-minnesota-bell-museum-herbarium-the-history-how-it-is-used-and-the-ongoing-work/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20221103T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20221103T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20221028T150406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221106T182651Z
UID:1274-1667502000-1667507400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Studying Sundews\, a Global Carnivorous Plant Genus Found in Minnesota's Backyard
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Rebekah Mohn\, University of Minnesota PhD Candidate \nThe Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page. \nBio: Rebekah Mohn is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul studying chromosome variation in a group of insect-eating plants commonly known as sundews (the genus Drosera).
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/studying-sundews-a-global-carnivorous-plant-genus-found-in-minnesotas-backyard/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20221013T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20221013T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20221004T162902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221017T183655Z
UID:1262-1665687600-1665693000@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Updating Rare Plant Surveys in SE MN\, and Sprague Creek Peatland SNA in Northern MN
DESCRIPTION:This Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page. \nTalk 1. Updating Rare Plant Surveys on several Scientific and Natural Area Sites in Southeast Minnesota. \nPresenter: Mike Lee\, Botanist/Plant Ecologist\, MN DNR/ and new MNNPS Board Member \nThis talk will discuss the MN DNR’s recent survey efforts at Wykoff-Balsam Fir\, Mound Prairie\, Kellogg-Weaver Dunes\, and Zumbro Falls Woods SNAs. Highlighted species will include Agalinis gattingeri\, Asclepias amplexicaulis\, Asclepias stenophylla\, Aristida tuberculosa\, Carex jamesii\, Chrysoplenium iowense\, Commelina erecta\, Diarrhena obovate\, Floerkea proserpinacoides\, Galium circaezans\, Nuttallanthus canadensis\, Phemeranthus rugospermus\, and Scutellaria ovata. \nTalk 2. Sprague Creek Peatland Scientific and Natural Area \nPresenter: Scott Milburn\, Botanist\, Midwest Natural Resources\, Inc./MNNPS President & Board Member \nOne of the more unique SNA’s\, Sprague Creek Peatland SNA\, lies on the Minnesota-Canadian border in NW Minnesota. This SNA is primarily forested peatland that includes spring fens\, a type of calcareous fen afforded special protection under state law in Minnesota. With several main ditches thorough out\, in place since 1910\, the hydrology has been altered significantly. There is now a plan to dramatically restore the hydrology to a much larger area that includes the SNA. \nThis brief talk will present an overview of peatland types in Minnesota\, a summary of plant communities at Sprague Creek Peatland SNA (historic and conditions today)\, and the ideal goal for the pending restoration.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/updating-rare-plant-surveys-in-se-mn-and-sprague-creek-peatland-sna-in-northern-mn/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220602T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220602T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20220528T140111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220609T175700Z
UID:1239-1654196400-1654201800@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Jumping Worms in Minnesota
DESCRIPTION:Presented by: Dr. Lee Frelich\, Director of the Center for Forest Ecology\, University of Minnesota. \nThe recorded Zoom presentation is available on the Videos page. \nJumping worms are a group of invasive earthworms (Amynthas spp.) known for their leaping\, snake-like movement. They live and feed in the upper leaf litter layer of soil\, often dramatically damaging its quality and nutrient content. For this reason\, jumping worms can trigger erosion\, threaten plant growth and decrease soil community biodiversity. \nJumping worms have made their way across North America through composting\, the fishing bait trade and by movement of potted plants and mulch. Minnesota is still in the early stages of invasion. Lee will update us on the continued invasion of this species and tell us about the project he is currently working on to develop Best Management Practices for jumping worm infestations. \nPresenter Biography: \nLee Frelich is Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology. He has authored 200 publications with 275 coauthors from 25 countries. He is listed among the top 1% of all scientists in the world (Ecology and Environment category) by the Web of Science. His research has been featured in the news media 500 times\, including The New York Times\, Newsweek and Washington Post. Current research interests include large-scale fire and wind\, earthworm invasion\, and climate change in temperate and boreal forests.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/jumping-worms-in-minnesota/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220505T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220505T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20220425T192657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220512T134529Z
UID:1229-1651777200-1651782600@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:On Lichens: Lessons in Symbiosis
DESCRIPTION:Presented by: Joe Walewski\, Wolf Ridge Naturalist and Interim Program Director. \nThe recorded Zoom meeting is available on the Videos page. \nExploring lichens – the ultimate model of symbiosis and community – opened a world that forever changed Joe’s life. Every year he learns something new\, makes new connections\, and pursues new questions. Joe continues to use lichens as a lens through which he explores the world of being a naturalist and follows his passions. What’s your passion? \nAs naturalists\, we all have a responsibility for the wellbeing of those we study\, be they birds or butterworts\, ferns or frogs\, lichens or landscapes. Joe will take you on a journey through his life with lichens. The lessons he’s learned apply to you and your responsibilities for our collective future. While people all around the world grow ever more disconnected from our natural and cultural communities\, it doesn’t have to be that way. \nWe can learn the lessons of symbiosis. \nPresenter Bio (Joe Walewski): \nJoe Walewski\, Wolf Ridge Naturalist and Interim Program Director\, has served the graduate program at Wolf Ridge since the late 1990s. He’s learned education and natural history from an excellent community of naturalists and educators – young and old\, near and far. Each year he teaches and learns with 16 educator naturalists looking to learn and practice environmental education and natural history.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/on-lichens-lessons-in-symbiosis/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220407T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220407T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20220322T155250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220411T142521Z
UID:1212-1649358000-1649363400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Healing Our Prairies Through Cooperation
DESCRIPTION:Presented by: Dr. Marissa Ahlering\, Sara Vacek\, and Daren Carlson. \nThe recorded Zoom meeting is available on the Videos page. \nIt’s hard to know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been. Monitoring plays a key role in understanding what’s happening on your site and how that piece of land is affected by the surrounding landscape. Once you know that\, then you can make better informed decisions about what to do next and what management practices to implement in the future. The Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has been doing just that since 2008 using monitoring information to recommend best management and further learn from the results.  The longevity of GMT also provides opportunities to take a look at the all the data from a new perspective to further improve our prairies. Our presentation will guide you through these 14 years of adaptive management to improve tallgrass prairies via research results\, lessons learned\, and future directions successfully done through cooperation from many professionals in MN\, SD\, and ND. \nPresenter Bio (Marissa Ahlering): \nDr. Marissa Ahlering received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri studying avian ecology in the mixed grass prairies of North Dakota and Saskatchewan. After completing this work\, she spent three years working with a non-profit organization in Kenya\, the University of Missouri\, and the Smithsonian Institution studying the coexistence of the Maasai people and elephants. In 2010 she returned to the northern Great Plains and is currently the Lead Scientist for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Minnesota\, North Dakota\, and South Dakota. Her work with TNC focuses on conservation and management of natural ecosystems and the benefits they provide to people and includes issues such as grassland reconstruction\, adaptive management\, and sustainable grazing. She also leads TNC’s climate adaptation work for the three states. \nPresenter Bio (Sara Vacek): \nSara Vacek works for the US Fish and Wildlife Service as the refuge biologist at Morris Wetland Management District. She coordinates the biology program at the district\, including inventory and monitoring\, research\, and planning. Sara received a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Lawrence University in Appleton\, WI and an M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from South Dakota State University in Brookings. When she isn’t at work in the prairies and wetlands of Morris WMD\, Sara enjoys spending time with her family\, exploring public lands\, gardening\, and cooking. \nPresenter Bio (Daren Carlson): \nDaren Carlson is the Monitoring Coordinator for the MN State Wildlife Action Plan (MNWAP) within the Nongame Wildlife Program at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Daren has a B.S. in Ecology\, Evolution & Biology and an M.S in Conservation Biology from the University of MN. He spends his time blending work with fun while watching and surveying birds\, plants\, and all things wild as well as immersing himself in the natural areas across Minnesota\, and beyond.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/healing-our-prairies-through-cooperation/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Sara-Marissa-Daren-at-Chippewa-Prairie-30June2016-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220303T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220303T203000
DTSTAMP:20260605T161353
CREATED:20220216T201034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220307T200807Z
UID:1198-1646334000-1646339400@mnnps.org
SUMMARY:Importance of Habitat Structure in Prairies
DESCRIPTION:Presented by: Chris Helzer\, Nature Conservancy’s Director of Science in Nebraska. \nThe recorded Zoom meeting is available on the Videos page. \nChris Helzer\, Nature Conservancy’s Director of Science and Prairie Ecologist\, will talk about the importance of habitat structure in prairies. Every animal has its own individual preferences for habitat structure\, including short/sparse vegetation\, tall/dense\, or a patchy mix of those. Some animals need access to multiple types of habitats. Providing for the needs of animals (including invertebrates) means providing the widest possible range of habitat types. Chris will discuss various approaches to creating those habitats at both large and small scales. \nPresenter Bio:  Chris Helzer is the Nature Conservancy’s Director of Science in Nebraska. Chris’s main role is to evaluate and capture lessons from the Conservancy’s land management and restoration work and share those lessons with other land managers. Chris works to raise awareness about the value of prairies and prairie conservation through photography\, writing\, and presentations. Chris is the author of two books published by the University of Iowa Press\, “The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States” and “Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter.” \n2017 burn in patch-burn grazed restoration at Suck Pasture. The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies\, Nebraska.
URL:https://mnnps.org/event/importance-of-habitat-structure-in-prairies/
CATEGORIES:Monthly programs
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ENPO200801_D044.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR