We host free monthly tours of residential native plant gardens or local plant communities from May – August. Currently seeking native plant landscaping to tour in 2024 Throughout the growing season, we sponsor native plant landscape tours to inspire and educate our members. We are looking for gardens or demonstration sites that are 60% or more natives. If you are willing to have your yard on tour or know of someone that would be willing to share their project, please contact: WildOnesPrairieEdge@gmail.com
May 2024 Saturday, May 18th 8 am- Noon Bird Watching Hike Hosted by Writers Rising Up Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area 18700 Flying Cloud Drive Eden Prairie, MN Bart Anderson, local birding expert, will lead a hike. Please bring binoculars, wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.
June 2024 Saturday, June 8th 10 am- Noon Wildlife Food Supermarket Tour Co-hosted by Wild Ones Prairie Edge and Writers Rising Up at Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area 18700 Flying Cloud Drive Eden Prairie, MN Prairie Edge Vice President, Shelly Stanchfield, will lead us on a hike that explores the 6 distinct biomes of the park and identify plants that support the dietary needs of local fauna. Minnesota is home to over 2000 known bird, fish amphibian, reptile and mammal species that rely on insects for food. A primary cause of species decline is loss of quality habitat due to destruction, degradation, and fragmentation. Shelly will be pointing out the many plants available through the native plant nursery trade that you can grow in your yard. Prairie Edge will have copies of Attracting Birds to Your Garden with Native Plants and Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden with Native Plants on hand to give away to participants. Please wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. The hike will take place in the event of light rain. In the event of heavy winds, rain or lightening we will reschedule to Sunday June 9th 10 am-Noon.
Artwork provided by Writer's Rising Up with director Vicki Pellar Price
July 2024
August 2023 Friday, August 8th 2-4 pm with Gael Zembal and Monday, August 12th 6-8pm with Marilynn Torkelson Nine Mile Creek Watershed District's Discovery Point 12800 Gerard Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Gael Zembal, Education & Outreach Coordinator for NMCWD will lead the Friday daytime tour. For those who can't make a daytime tour, we'll have a second tour on Monday evening, sharing the same information. The 5-acre, wooded site is located in a residential neighborhood in Eden Prairie overlooking the Cardinal Creek Conservation Area. Discovery Point provides visitors with direct and memorable experiences with stormwater management and conservation–in both residential and commercial settings. Working stormwater structures and artful landscape features provide opportunities to learn while enjoying peaceful surroundings. The land and original home on the site were donated to the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District by Barbara Kaerwer, a longtime Eden Prairie resident. The District renovated and added to the house and began operating there in late 2014. Barbara dedicated her life to protecting the natural environment. Through her tremendous act of kindness, Discovery Point has become a place for all visitors to learn how to be good stewards of the land. At Discovery Point, through an ongoing process, we are restoring native plant communities and removing invasive species, such as buckthorn, non-native honeysuckle, burdock, and garlic mustard. In February 2017, the first phase of restoration began on the southeastern portion of the property.