Chapters in Minnesota

We'll begin with a "Bats 101" presentation - an overview of bat biology and diversity, habitat needs and how you can help these essential animals through native plantings and habitat protection. Then we'll go for a walk in Minnetonka's Civic Center Park to look and listen for feeding and migrating bats. Dress for the evening's forecasted weather. The trail is wheelchair-accessible. Recommended for adults and older children.
Christine Petersen is Natural Resources Engagement Coordinator at the city of Minnetonka. She spent part of her career as a bat biologist,

Dick started a major prairie restoration in 1999.  He now has a beautiful mature prairie that he works hard to maintain.  We will carpool from the Emmaus church in Northfield.

Meet Phyllis Root and Kelly Povo, authors of Searching for Minnesota’s Native Wildflowers; A Guide for Beginners, Botanists, and Everyone in Between. 
Phyllis Root is a writer, Kelly Povo is a photographer, and they love searching for and learning about Minnesota's native wildflowers—the ones that have been growing here for centuries. They happily climb steep hills, wade streams, search in bogs and fens, and brake for wildflowers they see along the road.  Learn about the wildflowers they search for, why they search, and where they (sometimes) find some of Minnesota’s little-known native wildflower treasures. They will also share stories of their own adventures (and misadventures) that led to their first book, a Northeastern Minnesota Book Award finalist, and to their forthcoming book, Wildflower Chasing:  An Adventurous Guide to Minnesota's Native Wildflowers and Their Unique Habitats.

Phyllis, an award-winning author, has written many picture books about 
Minnesota, including Big Belching Bog, Plant a Pocket of Prairie, One North Star, and The Lost Forest, all published by the University of Minnesota Press. Kelly, a professional photographer for over thirty years, has exhibited in galleries and art 
shows across the country. Her photographs have been published on posters, calendars, note cards, and in books. 

After their first book about wildflowers Kelly and Phyllis started a blog (flowerchasers.com), and they frequently send audio postcards of their searches to Minnesota Public Radio. They are still chasing flowers and love sharing what they learn with fellow wildflower lovers. 

Whatever they are doing, Phyllis and Kelly laugh—a lot.

Save Them All: How Pollinator Friendly Alliance, a grassroots local group, grew into a dynamic Minnesota conservation nonprofit
Laurie Schneider, Founder and Executive Director, Pollinator Friendly Alliance 

Laurie Schneider is the founder and Executive Director of Pollinator Friendly Alliance.  She believes every living being of the web of life deserves our respect. Laurie shares the story of how a grassroots local group grew into a dynamic Minnesota conservation nonprofit.  Get the history, motivations and latest in the struggle to protect and promote pollinators and their habitat.

Mn terrestrial invasives: Terrestrial plants -MN Dept of Ag Invasive Species Program. 

Breanna Wheeler Chair, Terrestrial Invasive Species Funding Subcommittee DNR Natural Heritage Advisory Committee and fellow Wild Ones SE MN Prairie Partner member will present on Minnesota terrestrial invasive plants.  Breanna is very knowledgeable and an excellent speaker.  Should be very informative and interesting!