The Fringed Gentian™ a Publication of Friends of the Wild Flower Garden, Inc
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AUTUMN 2019 / WINTER 2020 VOL. 67 NO. 3 THE FRINGED GENTIAN™ A PUBLICATION OF FRIENDS OF THE WILD FLOWER GARDEN, INC. describing the benefit to children of just being Let Nature Be Your in nature: “There was one group of all girls, Teacher: Summer and they had a lot of energy, so we spent a lot of time just running on the trails outside the School at the Garden Garden. It was a free-form experience. We’re not “teaching”—yes, we are introducing By Kyla Sisson Garden Naturalist , concepts—but it’s more about being out in nature and learning that that’s a fun thing.” There’s a season for everything in the Garden: trout lilies, tree frogs, warblers, and—most Continuing a Legacy anticipated of all—summer school students. Eloise Butler grew up in a rural area, where she Visit in June, and you might catch sight of the was able to roam the woods as a child. When showy lady's slipper…but come in July, and she began teaching public school students in you could witness 10-year-olds magically Minneapolis’ city center, she knew how turning into birds, traveling 10,000 years into important it was to introduce them to nature. the past to melt glaciers, comparing bog Over 100 years later, the transportation grant acidity to the pH of their tongues, and funded by the Friends supports the work of learning to use binoculars for the first time. Garden staff to continue the story Eloise started, providing subsidized transportation for Science Immersion low-income youth to experience their park Every summer, hundreds of rising fourth and system. Thanks to this support, the Garden is fifth graders from Minneapolis Public Schools made more accessible and continues to serve as visit the Garden for its summer school field a place where urban kids get to learn through trip program. Although most school groups their senses, explore their own questions, and visiting the Garden only stay for an hour, develop relationships with plants and animals summer school students are immersed in without leaving the city. The summer school nature for most of their school day. Aligned program with the Minneapolis Public School with science standards for their grade level, district at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden the program explores the concept of and Bird Sanctuary celebrated its 11th season adaptations. Half the day focuses on birds, this year. Garden staff continue to build using games and hands-on play to investigate connections with schools, youth groups and how birds have adapted to survive in their youth-focused programs to bring more kids habitats. For many children, the highlight into the wilds of Wirth Park. In fact, since the is the opportunity to see birds up close. It’s Garden Program Coordinator position was often the most wiggly students who become created in 2007, the number of visiting youth glued to their binoculars, sitting statue-still who have participated in programs led by and hushing their peers as woodpeckers swoop Garden naturalists has grown by over 325%. onto the feeder. The other half of the day is Staff member Mark Emmons planting which hazel for the Fern This is in addition to a variety of new and re- a trek to the Quaking Bog. As the last bog in Glen. Photo by Kyla Sisson. imagined public programs that serve several Hennepin County, this preserved ecosystem offers a unique opportunity for students to with plantain leaves, and accidentally gotten hundred children and their families. Garden search for strange, specially adapted plants: to their feet wet in the bog—which causes more Naturalist strive to open doors to a lifetime of connecting with nature. Kids agree that the feel the soft needles of tamarack trees, touch grins of triumph than you might expect. first visit is just the beginning. The best part of sticky sundews, and bounce on the mat of Garden Naturalist Annelise Brandel-Tanis summer school? Hearing kids say, “I can’t wait sphagnum moss. says, “I love summer school because I get to to come back!” see kids being curious and investigating their “There’s no wifiin the forest!” surroundings. It’s a change for kids to learn For many students, it’s their first time in the that being outside isn’t scary. They get to say, woods, and they arrive worrying about snakes, ‘Woah, I successfully identified poison ivy!’ or This article appears courtesy of the Minneapolis bugs, bears, and even tigers. By the end of ‘I identified an edible plant!’ I like to watch Park and Recreation Board. the day, most of them have held an American them using those skills as the day goes on.” toad, learned to treat their mosquito bites Garden Naturalist Maia Campbell agrees, “ A WILD GARDEN IS BEAUTIFUL AT ALL SEASONS” – ELOISE BUTLER AUTUMN 2019 / WINTER 2020 VOL. 67 NO. 3 Letter from the President A Thriving Garden and project highlights from the past season brings closure to and a sense of shared joy for that the Friends of the Wild Flower Garden the work carried out by Garden volunteers By Kathy Connelly By Susan Wilkins, Garden Curator were involved with. Thank you to everyone for the season that has just passed. In late 2019, the MPRB voted to approve a wonderful concept plan developed by its It’s been a busy season full of people, who has contributed to these efforts. The Friends also funded two special leadership and staff for improvements to the Garden. The proposal for improvements at the projects and programs at the Wildflower In early spring, before the Garden opened, planting projects to enhance Garden areas Garden is significant. It shows the esteem in which the Garden is held and recognizes the Garden. It was one of our busiest years on phase two of the boardwalk project was where extensive invasive plant removal work changes in the way the public uses and experiences the Garden. record in the Garden’s modern history. It completed in the wetland garden area. A has been carried out by Garden staff in past is estimated that 60,000 people visit the public ribbon cutting ceremony was held years. This season 257 trees and shrubs were The need for the project is undeniable. As interest in native plants and natural history Garden each season. In 2019, Garden staff in late April to recognize the generosity planted in both the wetland and woodland (including birds) has become more popular across the country, Garden patronage has and volunteers recorded 19,643 visitor of the Friends and to celebrate this much garden areas by Garden staff thanks to the increased, and so has demand for programing. Those familiar with the Shelter know that interactions in the Visitor Shelter during the anticipated addition to the Garden. Thank generous donation of funds by the Friends. right now, Garden staff’s only workspace is in the Shelter’s tiny kitchen alcove, and some hours that the building is open and staffed. you to each and every Friends member who Staff are preparing, once again, for another of the space behind the public counter, with no privacy for scheduling and coordination Each count represents each visit a person contributed to this meaningful project. The meaningful year of work at the Wildflower activities. So the current proposal includes a modest expansion of the Shelter that will makes to the Shelter. It is truly incredible boardwalk has elevated the wetland garden Garden and to another season full of reflect the importance of the work of the hardworking, creative and dedicated Garden staff, to think that such a significant number of experience in more than one way! opportunities for visitors and volunteers to Photo by Kathy Connelly and allow for the relocation of the Garden Curator's office from the toolshed to the Shelter. visitors had a meaningful exchange with explore, enjoy, contribute and learn in this With the Garden staff relocated into the expansion, there will be more programming space staff and volunteers; viewed the interesting treasured public garden. in the reconfigured Shelter interior. We understand that all of this will be accomplished natural history displays created by Garden while preserving the rustic feel and appearance of the Shelter. staff; participated in a craft activity; A heartfelt thank you for all that you do interacted with the touch and see table; to support the Wildflower Garden. With increased popularity and changing environmental conditions, the need for staff utilized reference books and field guides, and equipment to tend the Garden has increased. The proposal includes the removal children’s books, and more. In addition, This article appears courtesy of the MPRB. and replacement of the toolshed. The critical work of tending the Garden will be better 4,091 youth and adults participated in OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS supported in a new location in a new structure, closer to the delivery point of plants and engaging nature focused- programs led other materials. The Garden fence will be moved slightly to enclose this new building. by Garden naturalists at the Wildflower Board Members PRESIDENT INVASIVE PLANT CHAIR Garden and a select number of programs Kathy Connelly Jim Proctor During the extensive public engagement process for the project, that was led capably by at Regional Parks in the Minneapolis TREASURER, GARDEN CURATOR, Susan Wilkins, Ann Godfrey, Tracy Godfrey, Steve Pundt and MPRB senior planner Emma Pachuta, it was recognized that the barbed-wire-topped fence Park System. Each year the Wildflower MEMORIALS CHAIR, EX OFFICIO Sally Pundt view the MPRB improvements plan for the Garden WEBSITE COORDINATOR Susan Wilkins that encloses a portion of the Garden is in poor condition, and in several places runs closely Garden enchants and inspires more people.