Minnesota Native Plant Society

Exploring and Traversing the Red Lake Peatland on Foot
2019-12-05 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presenter: Jason Husveth, Principal Ecologist, Critical Connections Ecological Services.
Plant of the month: TBD

Biology and biocontrol potential of a crown rust fungus affecting two of Minnesota's worst invasive plants: glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea)
2019-11-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presenter: Nick Greatens, Graduate Student at the University of Minnesota Department of Plant Pathology.
Plant of the month: Glossy Buckthorn

Wild populations of reed canarygrass are native! Implications of this discovery.
2019-10-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presenter: Neil Anderson, Full Professor University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Plant of the month: Reed Canarygrass

Moose Mountain SNA, A Late Summer Hike in the North Shore Highlands
2019-08-24 10:00
Where: Duluth, Minnesota
When: Saturday August 24th, 2019 (Time TBD)
Leaders: Brooke Haworth, MNDNR NE Region Plant Ecologist & AmberBeth VanNingen, MNDNR SNA NE Region Specialist
Moose Mountain SNA is located in Duluth, in the North Shore Highlands ECS subsection. Moose Mountain is a bedrock ridge “held up” by an underlying erosion-resistant diabase sill, formed by intrusion of magma between pre-existing rock layers. At its peak, the mountain rises nearly 550 feet above the elevation of Lake Superior, which is less than a mile away as the crow (or raven) flies.
The SNA straddles the ridge, hosting both north- and south-facing forested slopes. It was selected for protection as an excellent example of northern hardwoods, in particular a 55-acre stand of old-growth sugar maple-basswood forest. This stand has been the focus of research into dynamics of northern hardwood communities along Minnesota’s north shore, exploring ways that human-caused climate change might affect the distribution of sugar maple trees. The remainder of the site’s uplands are dominated by aspen-birch forest, while lowlands in the northwest corner of the SNA near the Lester River are occupied by wet forest, with black ash, aspen and balsam poplar.
Logistics

Meet at 10 am at the (small) SNA parking area. Carpooling from Duluth could be helpful.
Directions: north from Duluth on MN Hwy 61 N, to Lester River Rd (Co Rd 12) for 3.4 miles. Parking lot on east side of road. Lat/Lon: 46.881545, -91.983906

Notes: This SNA features steep/sloped terrain throughout. Can be slippery and wet. Bring appropriate hydration and field gear.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register.

St. Croix Savanna SNA, A Late Summer Hike above the St. Croix River
2019-08-18 09:00 - 11:00
Where: Bayport, Minnesota (Washington County)
When: Sunday August 18th, 2019 (9AM-11AM)
Leaders: Jyneen Thatcher, Naturalist & MNNPS Program Coordinator
Come join Jyneen and other MNNPS members for a morning hike through St. Croix Savanna Scientific Natural Area. This SNA with its dramatic topography site protects one of the best remaining examples of hill prairie in the Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Dry gravel prairie blankets the slopes and crest of the bluff, transitioning to savanna with widely-spaced burr and pin oaks on the flat terrace, then to oak woodland.
St. Croix Savanna SNA is a dry savanna that exhibits a significant diversity of grasses: hairy and side oats grama, needle and thread, prairie dropseed, and many others. Several species of goldenrod, sunflower, aster, and blazing star join the prairie gentian, coreopsis, flowering spurge, potentilla, fleabane, coneflowers, and hoary vervain in an ever-changing palette of prairie color. Rare kitten tails grow in the partial shade of bur oaks; other rare species found here include James’ polanisia, Illinois tick-trefoil, and a species of pinweed.
Park at the end of the unnamed road on the north end of the SNA, lat/long 45.007117, -92.786157.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register. This trip is limited to 20 participants.

Hoffman Prairie State Preserve, A Joint Field Trip with the Iowa Native Plant Society
2019-07-27 12:00 - 14:00
Where: Cerro County (north central Iowa), Iowa
When: Saturday July 27th, 2019 (12PM-2PM)
Leaders: Mark J. Leoschke, Botanist, Wildlife Bureau of the Iowa DNR & Larissa Mottl, Ecologist, Stantec
Join us for a joint field tour with members of the Iowa Native Plant Society! We’ll visit Hoffman Prairie State Preserve, a tallgrass prairie pothole complex with mesic to wet prairie and pothole marshes of various sizes, near the city of Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, north-central Iowa. Owned by The Nature Conservancy, this 36-acre preserve supports over 150 plant species. Some of the summer blooms at the preserve include butterfly weed, Indian paintbrush, prairie coreopsis, prairie larkspur, showy tick-trefoil, pale purple coneflower, rattlesnake master, compass plant, wood lily, and white camass.
The tour will be led by botanist Mark Leoschke, botanist for the Wildlife Bureau of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in Des Moines. MN NPS member, Larissa Mottl, will help organize a carpool from Minnesota. There are two natural areas near the Hoffman Prairie State Preserve that are also worth a botanical hike while folks are in the Clear Lake area–Union Hills Wildlife Area and Pilot Knob State Preserve. Please contact Larissa (651-272-5237) if you’d like to carpool and if you’re interested in a hike at the other preserves.
Directions: This state preserve is located just north of U.S. Highway 18 between Clear Lake and Ventura. From the intersection of U.S. Interstate Highway 35 and State Highway 18 in Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County (Interstate Interchange #194) drive west on U.S. Highway 18 (you will pass by a number of businesses including fast food restaurants, regular restaurants, convenience store/gas stations, a Fareway grocery store, etc.). Travel approximately 5 miles to Cardinal Avenue (a gravel road just west of the preserve. There is a sign for the prairie on the north side of the road) and turn north (right). Park your vehicle on the east (right) side of Cardinal Avenue (43.134557, -93.457882). Bring boots if you want to visit the wetter portions of the preserve.
Carpooling will be an option for participants for attending this field trip. Trip leader Larissa Mottl will be arranging this for the folks from Minnesota going down to Iowa for the day.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register.

Cambria Wildlife Management Area
2019-07-13 09:00 - 11:00
A Mid-Summer’s Hike through Remnant and Restored Prairie as well as Upland and Lowland Forest
Where: Cambria, Minnesota (Blue Earth County)
When: Saturday July 13th, 2019 (9 AM to 11AM)
Leader: Megan Benage, MNDNR Regional Ecologist
Come join us for a nature hike and tour of Cambria Wildlife Management Area. This 81 acre site is nestled in the Minnesota River Valley and offers views of remnant and restored prairie as well as lowland forest with several interesting groundwater seeps along the hillside. In 2018, the DNR salvaged 106 Indian plantain from a nearby mine site and transplanted them onto the WMA to help enhance the local population.
Come get refreshed by spending a bit of time in nature, observing the deep purple spikes of Liatris, the yellow blooms of coneflower, and the tiny bursts of red pollen on the purple prairie clover. If there’s time, participants will take part in an inventory exercise where we count the number of stems of Indian plantain in the transplant location. There is only one mowed access trail otherwise participants will be walking through tall prairie and grassland vegetation. Sturdy footwear for walking on uneven ground, sunscreen, a hat, and water are recommended.
Directions/Parking Information: Cambria Wildlife Management Area is located in Blue Earth County. From Cambria, go 0.5 miles southeast on State Hwy 68 to 239th Lane and turn East, go 2/3 of a mile. The WMA is on the North (left hand) side of the road.
A parking area is located North of the “T” of 491st Ave and 239th St (44.228644, -94.303183). A second parking area is located 0.2 miles East of the before mentioned parking area North of 239th Street. Please use two available parking areas and do not park on 239th Street. Carpooling is strongly recommended!
In case of severe weather, we will wait for it to pass and shift the trip time accordingly. In the unlikely event that we must cancel, we will email you.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register. This trip is limited to 20 participants.

Dragonflies 101
2019-06-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Springbrook Nature Center, 100 85th Ave., N.W., Fridley, MN, 55432, United States
Where: Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley)
When: Saturday June 22, 2019 (1:00 PM to 3:00PM)
Leader: John Arthur, MNNPS Board Member and Dragonfly Expert
Digital dragonflies in an analog world? Join us for a different kind of field trip with a focus on dragonflies. We will spend about a half hour in the classroom reviewing dragonflies and then spend about an hour out in the wetland looking for dragonflies, taking their photos when we can get them to pose and netting those that do not want to pose. We will have a projector available so the image will be shown on a very large screen instead of a computer monitor. There is no charge to participate, but pre-registration is required.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register.

Dean Lakes Conservation Area
2019-06-16 13:00 - 16:00 | Dean Lakes Conservation Area, 5080 Dean Lakes Blvd, Shakopee, MN, 55379, United States
Following up on our 2018 presentation, visit the conservation open space of this mixed-use development and enjoy learning about the remnant oak woodlands, wetlands, and restored prairies.
Where: Dean Lakes Development, Shakopee, Minnesota
When: Sunday June 16, 2019 (1-4PM)
Leaders: Doug Mensing, Senior Ecologist w/ Applied Ecological Services (AES)
Matt Lasch, Regional Contracting Manager w/ AES
The Dean Lakes mixed-use development lies on the shore of Deans Lake in the Minnesota River Valley. Recognized by the City of Shakopee as a conservation priority, the development of this site required careful planning and conservation practices. Attendees will learn about the site’s natural history, how the land changed over time, and what conservation development strategies were applied.
Walking a paved trail most of the time, we will visit remnant and restored natural communities: oak woodlands, savannas, wetlands (natural and restored), and restored prairies. Hopefully the lupine will be in bloom! Other interesting native plant species we anticipate encountering include silky prairie clover (Dalea villosa var. villosa) and plains snakecotton or prairie cottonweed (Froelichia floridana). Bring your dad…or dads, bring your kids – it’s Father’s Day!
We’ll plan to meet at the east end of Dean Lakes Blvd…there is a cul-de-sac with established parking spots along the south side of the road.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register.

Native Habitats of the Twin Cities and the Plants and Animals that Use Them
2019-06-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Speaker: John Moriarty, Senior Manager of Wildlife, Three Rivers Park District
Other notes: This meeting will include a book sale and signing

Spring Plants and Observations of Change on the Sandplain
2019-05-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Helen Allison SNA, 22795 County Rd 15, East Bethel, MN, 55011, United States
Where: Bethel, Minnesota (northern Anoka County)
When: Saturday May 25th, 2019 (9 AM to Noon, with picnic lunch after)
Leaders: Barb Delaney, Botanist and Plant Ecologist
Barb Delaney will lead MNNPS members on a morning hike into Helen Allison Savanna, one of the more unique plant communities of the Anoka Sandplain. If you have never seen an oak savanna, this is your chance. See large, open-grown bur oaks with a suite of prairie plant species understory. Helen Allison Savanna was named for Helen Allison Irvine, “Minnesota’s grass lady,” who wrote a text on the 180 grasses of Minnesota. This SNA lies within the Anoka sand plain, providing an excellent example of sand dune plant succession, with blowouts and dunes in various stages of stabilization by pioneer species.
Community types found on the site include oak sand savanna, dry prairie with bur oak and pin oak, thickets of willow and aspen, and sedge marshes in scattered depressions. Trees and shrubs characteristic of a savanna are found here: pin oak, bur oak, American hazelnut, chokecherry, and quaking aspen. Other savanna species include lead plant, smooth sumac, slender willow, steeple bush, aster, and goldenrod. Look on the dunes for pioneer sand plants such as sea-beach needle grass and hairy panic grass. Sedge meadows contain tussocks of Hayden’s sedge, along with marsh fern and blue-joint grass. Other rare plant species occurring here include rhombic-petaled evening primrose and tall nut-rush.
In case of severe weather, we will wait for it to pass and shift the trip time accordingly. In the unlikely event that we must cancel, we will email you.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register.

Spring Butterfly Trek
2019-05-18 09:00 - 16:00 | Crex Meadows, 102 East Crex Avenue, Grantsburg, WI, 54840, United States
Where: Crex Meadows to the Namekagon Barrens
When: Saturday, May 18, 2019 (9:00 AM to 4:00PM)
Leader: Dean Hansen, local Butterfly Enthusiast
For the past eleven years, Stillwater butterfly enthusiast Dean Hansen has led a day-long trip to look for spring butterflies in the jack pine/oak barrens in northwest Wisconsin’s Burnett County.
The trip will start at the Visitors’ Center at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area just north of Grantsburg, WI, and will end up on the Namekagon Barrens in far northeast Burnett County. This area in Wisconsin is very sandy, lightly populated, and with square miles of county land to explore. And there is a fine component of the spring butterflies to see. The dry plant communities here feature lots of lupines, blueberries, bearberries, jack pines, and New Jersey tea. All of these (and other) native plant species are the specific host plants for the larvae of various species of butterflies. A beautiful bog with cotton grass and wild cranberries will also be explored to look for its unique butterfly fauna.
What butterfly species might be seen? Four species of “blues,” four species of elfins, five species of dusky winged skippers, and the Olympia Marble are very likely, and a host of others butterflies are strong possibilities. Several of these species are in flight only in mid-May to early June, and if one doesn’t see them then, one won’t see them for the rest of the year. The best viewing year was 2012, when 18 butterfliers saw a total of 31 species. 2017 was, well, a dismal failure; spits of snow at 9 AM kept butterfly numbers seen to zero. That’s butterflying in May up here on the tundra. But we still had fun!
We will start at the Crex Meadows Visitors’ Center at 9 AM and end up somewhere on Gomuluk Fire Lane on the Namekagon Barrens about 4 PM. Most of the viewing is within 100’ or less of the road, so don’t let any mobility issues keep you from joining us.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. You MUST let me know if you will be coming—I will have to limit the group to 18 participants. Contact Dean Hansen at hanse112@umn.edu or 651-439-8770.

Prairie Communities in the Springtime
2019-05-11 | Lost Valley SNA, 10540 Nyberg Ave S, Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Where: Lost Valley Prairie SNA (Washington County) & Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA (Wabasha County)
When: Saturday May 11th, 2019
Leaders: TBD
Join members of the Friends of Minnesota Scientific & Natural Areas and others on an all-day outing to Lost Valley Prairie SNA and Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA to explore these prairie communities in the springtime. Folks will get to learn from site stewards and retired SNA staff about the history of each SNA as well as get to explore the natural resources found at each one. If time permits the group will be stopping at Bald Eagle Bluff SNA on the way back to the Twin Cities. Also, the group may be renting a van to carpool everyone on the trip so a fee will be associated with this trip but that amount has not been finalized.
Located on one of the northern most limestone outcrop prairie areas, Lost Valley Scientific and Natural Area contains prairie knobs unchanged for thousands of years as well as former agricultural fields being restored back to their native state. Indian Grass and Big Blue Stem grass grow to 6 feet high. Native forbs include many of the species associated with a tall grass prairie biome. Established in 1991, Lost Valley SNA was a mix of original native prairie and agricultural fields.
At Kellogg Weaver Dunes, participants will get to take in sweeping views across a terrace above the Mississippi with the state’s greatest expanse of dry barrens prairie and savanna. Geologic studies conducted in the vicinity suggest that this complex of dunes may have originated during one of two major dune-forming periods in this part of the Mississippi Valley, most likely between 18,000 and 14,000 years ago, when sediments deposited by glacial meltwater became “remobilized” by wind.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. Send an email to Ken Arndt at ken.arndt@mnrinc.us to register.

Status and trends of Wetlands in Minnesota: Minnesota Wetland Condition Assessment (2011-2016)
2019-05-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Speaker: Michael Bourdaghs, Research Scientist, MN Pollution Control Agency.
Place of the month: The Whiteface Reservoir

Citizens using Plants (& inverts) to Measure Wetland Health: Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP)
2019-04-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Speakers: Carolyn Dindorf, Vice President/Limnologist, Fortin Consulting, Inc.
Mark C. Gernes, Research Scientist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Plant of the Month: Marsh Fern, Thelyptris palustris

2019 Symposium: Prairies and Grasslands of the Lower 48
2019-03-23 08:30 - 16:30 | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska, MN, 55318, United States
Download the 2019 MNNPS Symposium Registration Form. Registration deadline is March 12.
Prairie historically covered one-third of the state of Minnesota, and has been a topic of previous symposia. This year, we are broadening our geographical range to prairies and grasslands across the lower 48 states. This will provide an opportunity to learn about prairies and grasslands from the unglaciated plains of the Southeast United States all the way to the Pacific Northwest.
Jeffrey Taylor

Researcher at Konza Prairie, Manhattan, Kansas
Topic: Program on long-term research at Konza, looking at vegetative composition and how management influences this system.

Dr. Sarah Hamman

Prairie Conservation Science Program Manager at the Center for Natural Lands Management, Olympia, Washington
Topic: Hidden prairies of the Pacific Northwest: How unique conservation strategies are restoring diversity and resilience to a highly fragmented ecosystem.

Dr. Reed Noss

Chief Science Advisor of the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative; he is based near University of Central Florida
Forgotten grasslands of the unglaciated east: origin, history, and future.

Dr. Bruno Borsari

Professor at Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota
Presentation on Soils, Plants Diversity and Peoples of the Cajun Prairie: A Distinctive Ecosystem in Southwestern Louisiana worthy of Reconstruction and Conservation

Rhett Johnson

Prairie Specialist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Prairies of Minnesota

Call for Research Track Poster Presentations
Students and academic researchers are invited to submit abstracts on research related to native plants and native plant communities of Minnesota, including taxonomy and systematics, preservation, conservation, and restoration. Posters will be on display throughout the conference and presenters are invited to discuss their posters during the scheduled breaks and lunch. Abstracts can be emailed to Annie Weeks at annie.weeks@mnrinc.us. The submission deadline is March 1, 2019, and presenters will be notified of acceptance by March 8, 2019.
Vendors interested in having a booth at the symposium can contact Shirley Mah Kooyman by email at smkooyman@gmail.com.
Download the 2019 MNNPS Symposium Registration Form

Climate Change Adaptation in Parks of the Great Lakes Region
2019-03-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presenter: Dr. Lee Frelich, Director, The University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology;
Fellow, Institute on the Environment.
Plant of the Month: Balsam poplar – Populus balsamifera by Lee Frelich

The Loss of Wildlands at the National and Minnesota Scales since European Settlement
2018-12-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presenter: Bruce Anderson; Retired USFS and MnDNR.
POM: TBD by BruceAnderson

Unfenced Rangeland of the North: Plants and Communities of the Subarctic Caribou Lands
2018-11-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presenters: Ron Bowen, Prairie Restorations Canoe Guide and Beth Markhart, Prairie Restorations Queen of the Subarctic.
Plant of the Month: Dry-Ground Cranberry – Vaccinium vitis-idaea; by Ron Bowen and Beth Markhart

Sedges and Rushes of Minnesota
2018-10-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presenter: Welby Smith, MnDNR Botanist.
Place of the month: Uncas Dunes SNA; by Rick Haug, Photographer

Valley View Park
2018-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Valley View Park, 5425 North Osgood Avenue, Oak Park Heights, MN, 55082, United States
An Early Fall Sunday Morning Hike
Where: Valley View Park, Oak Park Heights, Minnesota
When: Sunday September 30, 2018 (10AM to Noon)
Leaders: Jyneen Thatcher, Naturalist and MNNPS Program Coordinator
Join Jyneen and other MNNPS members in exploring a small dry prairie remnant in a city park in Oak Park Heights. The park has undergone restoration efforts by the environmental studies classes at Stillwater High School, including buckthorn removal and prairie reconstruction, but the only management in this remnant has been prescribed burns. We will add to the species list which currently includes fall species that include upright gentian, multiple species of Liatris, and rattlesnake master.
The remnant is on a knob, but will be reached via an access road and narrow dirt trail. Total distance of walking is approximately 1 mile to and from the parking lot.
Directions: Generally south of Hwy 36 on Osgood Ave, immediately north of the Minnesota State Prison. Search for GPS location using 5425 North Osgood Avenue, Oak Park Heights, which will direct you to the intersection with Valley View Park Road, the access to the park.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve Prairie
2018-08-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, 12595 Park Drive, Hanover, MN, 55341, United States
Prairie Communities along the Crow River – a Saturday Morning Hike
Where: Crow-Hassan Park Reserve (Hanover/Rogers)
When: Saturday August 25th, 2014 (9AM to 11AM)
Leaders: John Moriarty, Senior Manager of Wildlife for Three Rivers Park District, and Three Rivers Staff
Come join other MNNPS members for a Saturday morning hike into the prairie communities of Crow-Hassan Park Preserve. Participants will be led by John through the rolling hills, woods, lakes, wetlands and prairie of this 2,800 acre metro park reserve to view the native vegetation and wildlife that call this fantastic place home.
Crow-Hassan has a 1,200 acre restored prairie complex in northwest Hennepin County. Restored prairie units range from 3 to 50 years old. This reserve is a highly diverse prairie with over 100 species of forbs and 20 species of grasses and sedges. The hike will be approximately 3 miles on turf and sand trails.
Highlights for the field trip are early fall flowering forbs, including blazingstars, goldenrods, and early asters. Prairie animals including Fritillary butterflies, Monarchs, Bullsnakes and Plains hog-nosed snakes will be discussed and observed. There will also be an opportunity to view grassland bird species.
Directions: Park at the trailhead located at 12595 Park Drive, Hanover, MN.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>

Springbrook Nature Center - Dragonflies 101
2018-06-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Springbrook Nature Center, 100 85th Ave., N.W., Fridley, MN, 55432, United States
Dragonflies 101
Where: Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley)
When: Saturday June23, 2018(1:00PM to 3:00PM)
Leader: John Arthur, MNNPS Board Member and Dragonfly Expert
Digital dragonflies in an analog world? Join us for a different kind of field trip with a focus on dragonflies. We will spend about a half hour in the classroom reviewing dragonflies and then spend about an hour out in the wetland looking for dragonflies, taking their photos when we can get them to pose and netting those that do not want to pose. We will have a projector available so the image will be shown on a very large screen instead of a computer monitor. There is no charge to participate, but pre-registration is required.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>

Flora of the Central Sand Plain of Wisconsin Black River State Forest
2018-06-23 - 2018-06-24 | Black River State Forest, Black River Falls, WI, 54615, United States
An Overnight Trip to Multiple Sites in Black River State Forest
Where: near Black River Falls, Wisconsin
When: Saturday June 23rd and June 24th, 2018
Leader: Steve Eggers, Senior Ecologist for the St. Paul District Corps of Engineersand MNNPS Board Memberand Jennifer Kamm, Merjent, Inc.
Meet in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, travel time of approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes from St. Paul, MN. Spend Saturday afternoon exploring various habitats. Stay overnight either at the Pigeon Creek Campground within the state forest, or at motels in Black River Falls. Super 8, Comfort Inn and Suites, Best Western and Days Inn are all in the vicinity of the intersection between Interstate 94 and Highway 54. Spend the next morning exploring additional habitats and then travel back that afternoon.
Twenty-eight rare plant species (listed below) in habitats as varied as saturated, acidic sands to tamarack swamps to Sphagnum bogs to white pine/jack pine swamps.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>
This field trip is full, registration is for a waiting list only.
Plant List:

Valley View Park
2018-06-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Valley View Park, 5425 North Osgood Avenue, Oak Park Heights, MN, 55082, United States
An Early Summer Sunday Morning Hike
Where: Valley View Park, Oak Park Heights, Minnesota
When: Sunday June 10, 2018 (10AM to Noon)
Leaders: Jyneen Thatcher, Naturalist and MNNPS Program Coordinator
Join Jyneen and other MNNPS members in exploring a small dry prairie remnant in a city park in Oak Park Heights. The park has undergone restoration efforts by the environmental studies classes at Stillwater High School, including buckthorn removal and prairie reconstruction, but the only management in this remnant has been prescribed burns. We will add to the species list which currently includes plants such as prairie phlox, prairie violet, purple-lipped twayblade, lupine, and short prairie grasses.
The remnant is on a knob, but will be reached via an access road and narrow dirt trail. Total distance of walking is approximately 1 mile to and from the parking lot.
Directions: Generally south of Hwy 36 on Osgood Ave, immediately north of the Minnesota State Prison. Search for GPS location using 5425 North Osgood Avenue, Oak Park Heights, which will direct you to the intersection with Valley View Park Road, the access to the park
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>

Avon Hills Forest Scientific and Natural Area
2018-06-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Avon Hills Forest SNA, Quaker Rd, Albany, MN, 56307, United States
Explore strongly-rolling morainal terrain that supports a large tract of mature mesic hardwood forest with small vernal wetlands
Where: Avon Hills Forest SNA, Avon, Minnesota
When: Saturday June 9, 2018 (10AM to 1PM)
Leaders: Michael Lee, Plant Ecologist/Botanist w/the MN DNR Biological Survey, and Jyneen Thatcher, Naturalist and MNNPS Program Chair
This 350-acre SNA lies in the heart of central Minnesota’s 65,000-acre Avon Hills region. The region is known for its constellation of high value natural and cultural features within the often strongly rolling terrain of the St. Croix Moraine.
The two units of the SNA are characterized by classic kettle and kame topography which supports extensive hardwood forest. The broader landscape that the Avon Hills SNA is located in is dotted with wet depressions, pot holes and lakes. Uplands are dominated by mesic oak forest, while lowland plant communities feature tamarack swamp and black ash seepage swamp.
In a 2009 study of 41 SNAs, Avon Hills Forest SNA ranked highest in state-designated species in greatest conservation need: many of which rely on the SNA’s interior forest conditions (large, intact tracts). Notable birds include cerulean warbler, red-shouldered hawk, veery and blue-winged warbler.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>

A World-Class Biogeographical Oddity: The Boreal Forests of Door County, by Dr. Lee Frelich, UM
2018-06-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presented by: Dr. Lee Frelich, Director, The University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology.
Plant-of-the-Month: Dwarf Lake Iris, Iris lacustris

Photos by Ken Piehl.

Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve
2018-05-26 10:00 - 12:30 | Fish Lake Nature Trail, 23603-23699 Durant St NE, East Bethel, MN, 55005, United States
Oak Savanna and Prairie Swales Before the Bison Arrive
Where:Cedar Creek Ecosystem Reserve, East Bethel, MN
Fish Lake Nature Trail parking lot (east side of Fish Lake)
When: SaturdayMay26th,2018(10:00AM to 12:30 PM)
Leader: Barb Delaney, Professional Plant Ecologist and Botanist
This hike is a unique opportunity to observe the “before” scene of a first-time bison introduction at Cedar Creek Reserve. Barb will describe plant micro-habitats within the bison enclosure area before the beasts arrive! In the 1980s at Cedar Creek and Allison Savanna SNA, Barb Delaney made lists of plants occurring in the rare, wet swale habitats in the oak savannas. These swales are unusual on the Anoka Sandplain for harboring diverse assemblages of plants and some rare species. Most wet swales were lost or altered by human activities. What she observed here, was that water level fluctuations from year to year appeared to be a key disturbance that allowed many species to live together in a small zone. Some plants tolerated submersion in wet years; others species rebounded in dry years.
Bison will add another kind of disturbance. How will plant populations respond? Barb will identify some plant species that she is curious about. This is a gorgeous area so you will enjoy the hike and the beautiful spring display in the savanna. We will walk by the red-headed woodpecker recovery project area. You will see them!
Rain or shine! We will be walking mostly on the uplands but we will cross some squishy areas. Wear waterproof boots if you like to poke around in the wet places.
Directions: Meet at Fish Lake Nature Trail parking lot. East side of Fish Lake (From Co. Rd. 26, go north on Durant St., follow signs. We will have a ¼ mile walk to and from the gate plus our hike in the savanna. Barb will be there for social time 9:30-10am and afterwards.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>

Spring Butterfly Trek - Crex Meadows
2018-05-20 09:00 - 16:00 | Crex Meadows, 102 East Crex Avenue, Grantsburg, WI, 54840, United States
Crex Meadows to the Namekagon Barrens State Wildlife Areas
Where: Start at Crex Meadows (Grantsburg, WI)
When: Sunday, May 20, 2018 (9:00AM to 4:00PM)
Leader: Dean Hansen, MNNPS Member and Butterfly Enthusiast
For the past ten years, butterfly enthusiast Dean Hansen has led a day-long trip to look for spring butterflies in the jack pine/oak barrens in northwest Wisconsin’s Burnett County.
The trip will start at the Visitor’s center at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area just north of Grantsburg, WI, and end up on the Namekagon Barrens in far northwest Burnett County. This entire Barrens area, which extends to the northeast in a wedge across four counties, is very sandy, lightly populated, and with square miles of county land to explore. And there is a fine component of the spring butterflies to see.
The dry plant communities of the Barrens feature lots of lupines, blueberries, bearberries, and New Jersey tea. A beautiful bog with cotton grass and wild cranberries will also be explored to experience its unique habitat. All of these native plants are the specific host plants for the larvae of various species of butterflies.
What might be seen? Four species of “blues”, four species of elfins, five species of dusky winged skippers, and a host of others butterflies. Several of these species are in flight only in mid-May to early June, and if one doesn’t see them then, one won’t see them the rest of the year.
We will start at Crex Meadows Visitor’ Center at 9 AM and end up somewhere on Gomuluk Fire Lane on the Namekagon Barrens about 4 PM. Most of the viewing is within 100’ or less of the road, so don’t let any mobility issues keep you from joining us. We will car pool from the Crex Meadows Visitor Center area.
Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>
This field trip is full, registration is for a waiting list only.

Collaborating for Resilience in the Face of Climate Change: The Nature Conservancy's Forest Conservation and Restoration Program, by Jim Manolis, TNC
2018-05-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN, 55118, United States
Presented by: Jim Manolis, Forest Conservation Program Director, The Nature Conservancy in MN, ND & SD.
Place-of-the-Month: TNC’s Upper Manitou Preserve
