Chapters in Minnesota

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024 *
Cass Markovich Gardens in Northeast Minneapolis
1:00 to 3:00 pm | Open to Public | Registration Opens July 9

Cass Markovich and her husband, Chuck, moved into their corner lot home in Northeast Minneapolis in 2018. Having been a rental property for years, there were no gardens and a lot of Creeping Charlie. As a textile artist, Cass needed beauty but was not a gardener. Her first plants, mostly non-natives and cultivars, were gifts from neighbors; she also added clover to her lawn.

Shortly after she began gardening Cass learned of a native plant sale offered by Wild Ones Twin Cities, beginning the journey to learn about and create gardens for wildlife, climate resilience and beauty. Cass is a member of Elders Climate Action (ECA) and can readily relay the benefit native plants play in carbon sequestration.

The tour will encompass all of her gardens, a blend of the older gifts from neighbors and an abundance of established and newly added native plants. As a recent recipient of Lawns to Legumes grant, Cass has yet another native plant garden being added this summer.

*In the event of adverse weather conditions, tours will be rescheduled for the following day.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2024 *
Holley Wlodarczyk Gardens in East Bloomington
Noon to 3:00 pm | Wild Ones members only | Registration Opens July 9

Holley and her husband, Andrew, moved into their mid-century home in East Bloomington in 2002. In 2013 Holley discovered and joined Wild Ones, taking on various leadership roles, including organizing our Native Plant Sale for several years.

Her curiosity and intention to learn about native plants is evident in her gardens. While she says they are nothing special, simply a lot of gardens planted over times, they are a perfect example of the journey we each take as we learn about adding native plants to existing landscapes.

Holley's gardens include small rain gardens, shady and sunny plantings, bird baths and lots of pink flamingo whimsy. The meandering trails in the large yard, reveal surprising “plant rooms” around every turn. These are not formal gardens; most of them have been artful experiments to see what would grow and thrive, while providing habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.
 
*In the event of adverse weather conditions, tours will be rescheduled for the following day.

Mud Creak WMA has a beautiful restored prairie full of gentians, compass plants, cup flowers, some leadplant, monarda… 

There is a rocky road down to a boardwalk up to the mud lake that is accessible except for very wet times.  The road is very walkable but rough.  The trail is about 3/4 of a mile long.  If possible we will provide rides down the trail for those who don't wish to walk.

(near I35 & Hwy19)

Tour the Oak Savanna Learning Center Trail at Sherburne NWR.  Jordan Wilson, a Wild Ones member and Sherburne NWR fan will lead us on the tour.  Thursday, August 15 at 7 pm.  Meet at the Learning Center.  (Suggestion--if possible, get to the site early and do the driving tour.)

We will tour the Prairie Moon Nursery and see their production of native plants.  The tour starts at 2pm, but our carpools will leave Northfield by noon to get there in time.  If enough people signup, we may take a bus.

The date and time may change as their tour schedules aren't created yet.