Chapters in Minnesota

TBD

Gael Zembal

Learn what the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District is doing to protect the health of lakes and creeks in the southwest metro. From streambank restorations to lake projects to raingardens, learn how native plants are playing a role, and how you can help! 
Presenter bio: Gael Zembal is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District. She has been with the watershed for over 9 years, where she manages public programs, trainings, workshops, and school visits. Gael also manages communications and volunteer programs with the watershed. Before that, Gael worked as a naturalist at nature centers around the state, including Itasca State Park and Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center.

Come and celebrate at our annual Anniversary dinner!

Please note - Date is very flexible for this tour.  Ephemerals come out when they are ready, based on the weather and the season.

We will tour the spring ephemerals at the beautiful Rice Lake Park in Owatonna, MN.  Virginia Bluebells, Trout Lilies, Hepatica, Spring Beauty, Blood Root, Jack-in-the-Pulpits, Toothwort, Bellwort and more.  Plus, spring migration will be on and Rice Lake State Park is a beautiful place to bird.  Bring your binocs and wear good walking shoes.

THURSDAY | APRIL 17, 2025
Design for Life: Basics and Local Examples
Presenter | Nathalie Shanstrom, Pasque Ecologica Design and Consulting
 

After a brief introduction on how to design with native plants, this presentation will use a range of case studies to illustrate by example how to design with native plants to: maximize sustainability and ecological function, draw out the beauty of regional landscapes, and create functional spaces that foster healthy, invigorating, meaningful connections between people and their environment. A range of examples of varying scales, context, and site uses will be included to show how the design process can vary from site to site.