ELOISE BUTLER Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary THEODORE WIRTH PARK PROGRAMS APRIL/MAY 2019
The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary is 112 years old this year. In 1907, the Wildflower Garden was founded with a vision to create a dynamaic and beautiful naturalistic, native plant focused garden for nature enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy. The founder, Eloise Butler, was a school teacher who wanted to create a special sanctuary that students of nature could visit to learn about the intricacies and wonders of the native plants of our region. Now over a century later, her incredible legacy lives on. Free public Wildflower Garden programs take place on the weekends and during the week. Find a date that works well for you on the calendar on pages 7-10. The Nature Tots preschool programs are a great way for younger visitors to take delight in the Garden's enchantment. Explore the Wildflower Garden at nightfall during one of the full moon and new moon hikes to see the Garden from a whole different perspective. Wildflower Garden Naturalists will also be leading nature-focused tours April-October in Regional Parks across the city. See page 11 for more information on these opportunities. If you are interested in scheduling a field trip or guided tour, contact the Wildflower Garden's Program Coordinator at 612-499-9244 or send an email to ebwg@minneapolisparks.org for more information. Stay in touch with the latest happenings at the Wildflower Garden on Facebook and online at www.m.inneapolisparks.org/ ebwg. We look forward to seeing you at the Wildflower Garden this season. Enjoy! Wildflower Garden Open April 1-0ctober 15: 7 days a week October 15-31:weekends Garden Hours: 7:30am to one hour before sunset Visitor Shelter Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am to one hour before sunset Sunday: noon to one hour before sunset Family Fun! Adventure Backpacks filled with activities your family can do together are available to use while visiting the Garden. Stop in to the Visitor Shelter to borrow a backpack during your next visit. You can also borrow one ofour Garden Scavenger Hunts for a fun way to explore the Garden with your family. Forgot your binoculars? We have binoculars in the Visitor Shelter for you to borrow. The Garden parking lot is a pay lot with a Pay and Display parking system. If you have a Minneapolis Parks Parking Permit sticker, you may park in any parking space. Non-permit holders may park in any space and use the pay box to pay for your parking ($1/hour, $4/ day). Payment receipts must be displayed on your car's dashboard to be valid. Thank you to Erin Hartman and Troy Johnson for providing the plant photos in this guide. design west44thstreetgraphics.com 2
-1\/~!t-l/_uL HIKES & TOURS A Heroine's History Join a Garden Naturalist on a tour of the Wildflower Garden and learn about the rich history of the nation's oldest public wildflower garden and its founding mother and first cuiator, Eloise Butler. Birding Basics Beginning birders will learn a few techniques and tips for success with binoculars and field guides and will discover what to look for when identifying birds in the field Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Join a Garden Naturalist for a birdingfocused stroll on the garden trails. Learn a few techniques and tips for success with binoculars to look for and identify birds in the garden. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Buds, Bark & Branches Spring is a great time to learn how to identify trees. A Garden Naturalist will lead you on a tree identification tour using features such as bark, buds, and branches to identify many fascinating tree species. Families can join a Garden Naturalist each Wednesday or Saturday morning for a different nature themed story each week at a different spot in the Garden. Meet at the shelter. Quaking Bog Tour Discover what makes a bog unique and what adaptations plants need to survive in this wetland environment. Meet at the Quaking Bog parking lot. Spring Highlights in the Garden Learn about phenology- the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomenaby looking for the current blooms, birds, and animals in the garden with a garden naturalist. Join a Garden Naturalist on a wildflowerfocused walk in the Garden. Learn about and look for wildflowers of spring including trilliums, trout lilies, bluebells and more. New birders and those with more experience are welcome to join our Garden Naturalist Saturday mornings. In addition to bird identification, we'll learn about birding by ear, bird behavior and habitats. Bring binoculars and field guide or borrow ours. Meet up with other families on a hike led by a Garden Naturalist. Explore the Garden through movement, stories and play in a hike that is fun for the whole family. 3
~n~g(:,~tl SPECIAL WALKS & EVENTS Special Walks at The Garden Full & New Moon Hikes WILDFLOWER GARDEN OPEN HOUSE - SUNDAY, APRIL 7 Join us in the Visitor Shelter and out on the trails to welcome in our 112th season at the Wildflower Garden. Join a Garden Naturalist for a program at 1pm or 4pm or just enjoy the cozy fireplace in the shelter. EARTH DAY- MONDAY,APRIL22 Earth Day ARBOR DAY - FRIDAY, APRIL 26 Arbor Day Tree ID Hike MOTHER'S DAY - SUNDAY, MAY 12 Mother's Day s 10-10:45am, 11-ll:45am, and 12-12:45pm A Heroine's History- A Walking History Tourl-2pm Mother's Day MEMORIAL DAY - MONDAY, MAY 25 Memorial Day 10:30-ll:15am Memorial Day Wildflower Hike 1-l:45pm A Heroine's History- A Walking History Tour Memorial Day Hikes are led by Garden Naturalists Cost: $5/ person Enjoy a nighttime hike in the Wildflower Garden with Garden Naturalists. Meet at the Garden's front gate. Advance registration is required. FULL MOON GARDEN HIKE Thursday, April 18, 8-9pm Full Pink Moon Hike Friday, May 17, 8:30-9:30pm Full Flower Moon Hike Take a twilight hike in the Garden and discover the magic of being in our Sanctuary after the sun has set. We will look for bats, listen for owls and see what other delights we can find under the glow of a full moon. NEW MOON CREATURES OF THE NIGHT HIKE Friday April 5, 7:45-8:45pm Saturday, May 4, 8:30-9:30pm The 2019 City Nature Challenge is fun for all ages! Cities around the world will be competing to see who can make the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people! What better place to take nature photos than here at the Garden! Experience the Garden at nightfall. Learn how to fine tune and use your senses while you discover the sights, sounds and smells of the Garden after dark. We'll listen and look for bats, nighthawks, owls, insects, mushrooms that glow in the dark and morel City Nature Challenge 2019 Our Garden Naturalists will help you get started--come to either of our introduction events listed below. We'll show you how to use the inaturalist app, assist with the uploading of observations and help you identify what you find in the Garden. Intro to the City Nature Challenge - Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 at 3pm 4
E,. 8 l,j i Wildflower Garden Boardwalk Celebration Friday, April 26 Please join us from 2-4pm on Friday, April 26 to celebrate the final installation of our boardwalk! Join Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board leadership, Friends of the Wild Flower Garden and Wildflower Garden staff members for refreshments and jubilation, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3pm... Following the Boardwalk Celebration, join in the fun across the street for the 2019 MINNEAPOLIS ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION, from 4-8pm. Food trucks, games, nature play, a beer garden and other festivities will be East of Wirth Beach on Glenwood Avenue in Theodore Wirth Regional Park. More information at www.minneapolisparks.org/ arborday Have a fun time in nature while removing invasive plants in areas just outside of the Wildflower Garden at a "pull" led by volunteers from the Friends of the Wild Flower Garden. Spend as much or as little time as you would like. No experience necessary. Volunteers are needed for the following dates: Saturday, May 4, 2-4:30pm Sunday, May 19, 2-4:30pm Sunday, June 2, 2-4:30pm Follow the signs from the main garden gate to the weeding site. We work outside the garden to improve its immediate surroundings. Volunteers are notified by email of the schedule each season. To have your name added to the list, please send an email to invasives@friendsofeloisebutler.org. 5
CHILDREN & FAMILY PROGRAMS,-.. Nature Tots Led by Garden Naturalists Cost: $5/per child, caregivers free Appropriate for children ages 2 to 5 years old. Advance registration is encouraged. Adults do not need to register. THE EARTH BENEATH MY FEET Tuesday, April 16, 10:30-11:30am Celebrate Earth Day with a closer look at the soil! Explore the animals who live there and the plants that grow there. Be prepared to get your hands dirty in a fun craft. TERRIFIC TREES Tuesday, April 23, 10:30-11:30am Trees are all around us. Let's celebrate Arbor Day and focus on trees! By exploring trees with all our senses, we will gain a greater appreciation of our giant friends. FEATHERED FRIENDS Tuesday, April 30, 10:30-11:30am Bring your keen eyes and ears to look and listen for birds with our very own hand decorated binoculars! Learn more about birds as we read All About Birds by Catherine Sill. BUDDING BOTANISTS Tuesday, May 7, 10:30-11:30am Join us for a stroll as we take a closer look at the stars of the Garden - the flowers! Learn the parts of a flower and create a craft. CAMOUFLAGED CRITTERS Tuesday, May 14, 10:30-11:30am We'll sharpen our eyes to find animals hidden throughout the Garden. We'll make our own camouflaged critter and read Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi Barnett. ART IN THE GARDEN Tuesday, May 21, 10:30-11:30am Spend time drawing, painting, and photographing the landscape and plants of the Garden. We'll read a story about artists who were inspired by their own landscapes. RAINBOW IN THE GARDEN Tuesday, May 28, 10:30-11:30am Can you find all the colors of the rainbow at the Garden? Join us to see how many colorful plants and critters we can find! Go for a rainbow hike, read the book Green, and do an art project using colors of the rainbow. Storytime and Family Hike Families can join a Garden Naturalist for at 10:30am every Saturday- and stay for a hike! Our begins at 11am and allows families to experience the Garden with a naturalist-guided hike. Come for one, or both! See page 3 for program descriptions. Thursday, May 2, 1-3pm - Wildflowers! Homeschoolers ages 5-13 are invited to join a Garden Naturalist for an in-depth look at our favorite Garden topics. Homeschool days are for students and an adult. Advance registration is encouraged. Adults need not register, children only. 6
April 2019 Friday, April 5 7:45-8:45pm Saturday, April 6 8:30-1oam Sunday, April 7 1-4pm Saturday, April 13 8:30-1oam Sunday, April 14 Tuesday, April 16 Wednesday, April 17 Thursday, April 18 8-9pm Saturday, April 20 8:30-1oam New Moon Creatures of the Night *$5 per person Spring Highlights in the Garden Tour Wildflower Garden Open House Spring Highlights in the Garden Tour Spring Highlights in the Garden Tour Birding Basics Nature Tots-Earth Beneath My Feet *$5 per child, caregivers free Full Pink Moon Hike *$5 per person A Heroine's History- A Walking History Tour HOW TO REGISTER Pre-payment of fees for Nature Tots, Homeschool Days, Full Moon and New Moon tours are required. All other tours are free and we ask that you register for them in advance. Online at www.minneapolisparks.org using Active Net (credit card payment) In person at the Visitor Shelter in the Wildflower Garden (checks payable to Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden) *Special class at the Garden-see descriptions on pages 5-6 1
Sunday, April 21 Monday, April 22 Tuesday, April 23 Wednesday, April 24 Thursday, April 25 Friday, April 26 2-4pm 6-7pm Saturday, April 27 8:30-1oam 3-3:3opm Sunday, April 28 1-2 pm 3-3:3opm Tuesday, April 30 Buds, Bark and Branches Earth Day Nature Tots- Terrific Trees *$5 per child, caregivers free Boardwalk Celebration (See page 5) Arbor Day Tree ID Hike Intro to City Nature Challenge Buds, Bark and Branches Buds, Bark and Branches Intro to City Nature Challenge Nature Tots-Feathered Friends *$5 per child, caregivers free May 2019... " Wednesday, May 1 Thursday, May 2 1-3Pm Saturday, May 4 7:30-9am 8:30-9:3opm Homeschool Days- Wildflowers *$5 per student, caregivers free Spring Highlights in the Garden New Moon Creature of the Night Hike *$5 per person
Sunday, May 5 Tuesday, May 7 Wednesday, May 8 Thursday, May 9 Saturday, May 11 7:30-9am Sunday, May 12 10-10:45am 12-12:45am Tuesday, May 14 Wednesday, May 15 Thursday, May 16 Friday, May 17 8:30-9:3opm Birding Basics Nature Tots-Budding Botanists *$5 per child, caregivers free Quaking Bog Tour MOTHER'S DAY Mother's Day Mother's Day Mother's Day A Heroine's History-A Walking History Tour Mother's Day Nature Tots-Camouflaged Critters *$5 per child, caregivers free Full Flower Moon Hike *$5 per person HOW TO REGISTER Pre-payment of fees for Nature Tots, Homeschool Days, Full Moon and New Moon tours are required. All other tours are free and we ask that you register for them in advance. Online at www.minneapolisparks.org using Active Net (credit card payment) In person at the Visitor Shelter in the Wildflower Garden (checks payable to Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden) *Special class at the Garden-see descriptions on pages 5-6
Saturday, May 18 7:30-9am Sunday, May 19 Tuesday, May 21 Wednesday, May 22 Thursday, May 23 Saturday, May 25 7:30-9am Sunday, May 26 Monday, May 27 10:30-11:15am Tuesday, May 28 Wednesday, May 29 Thursday, May 30 Spring Highlights in the Garden Birding Basics Nature Tots- Art in the Garden *$5 per child, caregivers free Buds, Bark and Branches Spring Highlights in the Garden MEMORIAL DAY Memorial Day Memorial Day A Heroine's History- A Walking History Tour Memorial Day Nature Tots- Rainbow in the Garden *$5 per child, caregivers free *Special class at the Garden- see descriptions on pages 5-6 10
Join the Naturalists of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis Regional Parks to learn about the birds, plants and natural history of our great urban green spaces. HOW TO REGISTER FOR REGIONAL PARKS TOURS Regional Tours are free although we ask that you register for them in advance. Register online at minneapolisparks.org. Call the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden at 612.370.4903 to register. Or, simply show up! If the tour is full, priority will be given to advance registrations. TOURS AT ROBERTS BIRD SANCTUARY Roberts Bird Sanctuary is located in Lyndale Park. The walks start at the wooden gaubo ( above photo) adjacent to the parking lot off Roseway Road, ½ block northeast of Lake Harriet Parkway. Join an interpretive naturalist on a walk through Roberts Bird Sanctuary to look for and learn about migratory and resident birds. Bring binoculars and a field guide or borrow ours. Wednesday on the Wing: a seasonal series of birding walks 6-7 pm, every third Wednesday from April-September Spring dates: Wednesday, April 1 7, 6-7pm Wednesday, May 15, 6-7pm TOURS AT MINNEHAHA REGIONAL PARK Meet at the bridge overlooking Minnehaha Falls across from SeaSalt restaurant. Naturalist will have a sign that reads "MPRB Regional Park Tour starts here." Marvelous Nature Mondays: a seasonal series of nature walks 5-6 pm, every first Monday from April-October Spring dates: Monday, April 1 - Early Spring Tree Identification Monday, May 6-Spring Bird Migration TOURS AT MISSISSIPPI RIVER GORGE Watch for the earliest spring migrants along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis while walking with a naturalist. Meet at the parking lot at 36th Street East and West River Parkway. Bring your own binoculars or borrow ours. Spring Birding on the Mississippi Flyway: Mississippi River Gorge Spring dates: Sunday, May 5, 8:30-lOam Sunday, May 19, 8:30-lOam 11