Local orchid photographer to display photos

This message is from MNPS member Peter Dziuk:
Greetings everybody:

By now most of you know I’ve been horsing around with digital cameras fairly intensively the last several years and the results have been rather fun. While I never have and perhaps never will claim to be a photographer, the subject matter I focus on, has itself been compelling for me.

That being said, the point of this note is to let everybody know that I actually have a little exhibit going up locally this week. The subject is Minnesota’s native orchids.

Theresa and I have poked around this state a lot the last two years and we’ve managed to come up with respectable images of 28 of our 43 native orchid species. Mostly just floral mug-shots, still the flowers speak well to the exotic personalities in this family of plants.

A local Vietnamese Restaurant (coincidentally called The Orchid) has agreed to let me put them on display. The images are up now and will be up through July 1, 2007

The restaurant is in White Bear Township at the corner (SW intersection corner by theater) of County Road J and Interstate 35E.

The owners have asked that on June 6, between 3:00 and 5:00 pm, I might agree to show up and say something (for whatever that would be worth) and a discount meal would be offered at that time as well. I have no objective way of knowing what kind of response there will be for this but I’m asking people who might be interested to RSVP me as the place only seats 120 people.

We have also worked out a coupon that you can print out and redeem for 25% off a meal for 2 (see attached) valid at any time. We are doing a little piece in the local paper but this coupon will be distributed via email only. I don’t have the most complete email list (but its getting lengthy) please feel free to forward this to others who might be interested.

The small feature article coming out in the local paper next week simply comments on the exhibit and the fact that global warming and climate change will likely push all of these species from the state within the next 50 years.

Keep in mind, if you want to show up to see the images, they are plastered above all the tables so busy periods will make it difficult to view them. The restaurant says any day of the week between 2:00 and 5:00 pm would be good times

I hope there is some interest out there. I’ve had a lot of fun getting these images together and I hope others will enjoy them as well.

The restaurant address is: 1190 County Road J, White Bear Township, MN 55127.

You can check them out at their website www.orchid-restaurant.com

Thanks,

Peter

What's a Good Wildflower Book?

Friday, May 11th, 7:30-8:30 PM - FREE!
Mager's and Quinn Booksellers
3038 Hennepin Ave. South, Minneapolis

Identifying native plants can be a life long passion, aided by a wide variety of guides and identification methods. Different guides sort flowers out by color or habitat. Some use keys instead of short descriptions paired with illustrations. How do you choose the best book for you? Hear the recommendations of Lee Ann Landstrom and Ken Arndt, experts on Minnesota's native plants during this informal discussion.

Sponsored by the Bell Museum of Natural History.

Upcoming Bell Museum Field Trips:
Naming Native Plants at Nine Mile Creek
Sat. June 9th, 9 am - noon
$10 ($7 members), register by June 5th
This field trip celebrates the 300th Anniversery of the birth of Swedish Naturalist Carl Linnaeus, who developed our modern system of naming living things. More than half of Minnesota's plants were originally named by Linnaeus. Explore the explosion of early summer plant life in this remarkable preserve. The Nine Mile Creek area in Bloomington offers some of the most easily accessible diverse flora in the Twin Cities metrorea. Trip Leader: Robert Bergard. To register, call the Bell Museum Registration Office at 612-624-9050

May MN NPS Field Trip Update

On Saturday May 12^th from Noon to 3 PM join MN DNR Regional Plant Ecologist Ann Pierce for part of the day exploring the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Minnesota. This part of Minnesota known as coulee country will allow participants to enjoy spectacular bluff views of forest covered hillsides that are home to many of Minnesota’s most beautiful spring wildflowers. Unique natural features like algific talus slopes will be encountered along the hike. (There are spots still open for this weekend’s trip to SE MN)

Sorry the field trip to the Prairie Coteau for the weekend of June 16^th and 17^th is FULL. You can sign up to be put on the waiting list at this point. If you have registered with me and received confirmation you are included. Any requests for registration received after April 11^th has been placed on a waiting list.

Set aside the weekend of June 30th for a MN NPS field trip to northern Minnesota near Grand Rapids to the Chippewa National Forest. MN DNR Forest Ecologist John Almendinger will be leading participants on Saturday the 30^th to an all-day hike through cedar swamps, black spruce bogs and many upland areas in between where the local geology and ecology will be shown in detail. Many different native plants will be encountered along the way, including orchids, carnivorous plants, sedges, rushes and grasses. Camping and lodging is plentiful in this area of Minnesota, but remember to make reservations in advance since the summer can be busy. (Just a couple of spots remain so sign up now to be included)

On Saturday July 14^th from 9 AM to 3 PM, the MN NPS will be co-sponsoring a working field trip to Pioneer Park in Blaine. Come work with Critical Connections Ecological Services Ecologist Jason Husveth in the continued effort to restore the fen that is home to several of Minnesota’s most rare plants. Participants will assist with invasive plant removal and seed collection within this rich fen. After lunch, there will be an interpretive walk led by Jason, which will allow everyone the chance to see the progress of the fen restoration. Many rare plants will be encountered on this field trip, so sign up now and help make a difference on the ground! Group leaders will be on-site throughout the day. Come work for as many hours as you can spare, and enjoy a day helping to restore the habitat of several threatened and endangered plant species of the Anoka Sand Plain.

Sorry the field trip to St. Croix Savanna SNA for the evening of August 9^th is FULL. You can sign up to be put on the waiting list at this point. If you have registered with me and received confirmation you are included. Any requests for registration received after May 3^rd has been placed on a waiting list.

Other field trips for the fall are being planned now so make sure to check our website periodically for updates.

www.mnnps.org

What's blooming?

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), top, and

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), bottom,
photographed in a wetland in Plymouth, MN the
beginning of May 2006.

On Saturday afternoon I visited a maple-basswood forest at the Ney Environmental Learning Center near Henderson, MN. I observed trout lily, bloodroot, and hepatica were past bloom. In flower were wild ginger and woodland phlox. Some of the bloodroot leaves were twice as big as my hand! At Flandreau State Park in New Ulm I saw some Jack-in-the-pulpit just beginning to bloom. Last week I saw marsh marigolds lighting up a wetland with their burst of yellow in Plymouth.

MNPS booth

As chair of the newly reformulated Outreach Committee, we are trying to reach out at public events to generate interest in the Minnesota Native Plant Society and further our educational mission. Do you know of an upcoming event where we can display our informational booth? If so, send me an email and we'll try to make it happen.

myminnesotawoods.org

The U of M extension office has created a new website called Myminnesotawoods.org

It's got some good info on the natural history of savannas, woodlands, and forests in Minnesota as well as specific information about tree growth and forest health. It encourages forest stewardship for a variety of purposes, including renewable timber harvest, recreation, and restoration.

Lots of good info worth checking out. Maybe some of our knowledgeable MN Native Plant Society members can lend their advice at the Message Boards!