Events

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Program TBD

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Join us for a guided tour of Kroening Nature Center led by Travis Bonovsky, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, expert birder, and nature photographer. This engaging walk will explore the rich diversity of native plants and the bird species they support within this unique urban natural area.

Participants should wear comfortable tennis shoes or hiking boots as this tour will take place on paved nature trails. Binoculars aren’t necessary, but highly encouraged. Binoculars are available for rent inside the Kroenig Nature Center. Meet at the Kroenig Nature Center. We hope you can join us as Travis helps us learn more about the relationship between native plants and birds. 

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Host Guided Tour by Don Gustafson

Easy hike to go see showy lady slippers. 
 

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Bex is a master naturalist who has thoughtfully transformed her small suburban lot into a dynamic native habitat. The front yard, converted to a tall grass prairie in 2023 (with support of a Lawns to Legumes grant), is now in its third growing season. In the backyard, invasive species have been removed to make way for native plantings, alongside a natural pond that supports wildlife.

Ongoing restoration efforts include developing wetland overflow, installation of a dry stream for stormwater management, and expanding prairie and pocket forest plantings. Bex has also installed habitat features such as amphibian shelters, bat and bird houses, and other nesting structures to support wildlife. With continued work to replace turf and enhance biodiversity, this garden is an evolving example of community driven conservation in an urban setting.

We hope you can join us on June 27th as Bex guides us through her transformed property!

Host Guided Tour by Don Gustafson

Moderate hike (approximately 1.5 miles) to view native forbs and grasses at Nine Mile Creek Bluff Remnant Prairie.  Meet at parking lot..
 

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

This corner plot of downtown Chaska is a National Wildlife Federation–certified habitat that continues to evolve with a focus on adding native plants amongst the current non-natives to attract pollinators and birds. A Fall 2025 Lawns to Legumes grant supported the expansion of current planting beds, the renovation of a shade garden, and the addition of shrubs to enhance habitat for birds.

Over the past few years, several invasive species (including Snow on the Mountain, Vinca, and Lily of the Valley) have been steadily removed and replaced with native plants, creating a more diverse and ecologically functional landscape. With a strong focus on supporting pollinators and birds, the host enjoys trialing new trends and techniques in her garden.

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Over the past 3–4 years, this suburban yard has been gradually transformed into a diverse native plant landscape, largely grown from winter-sown plants. About half of the front yard now features native plantings, including a 12×18’ tapestry lawn installed with support from a Lawns to Legumes grant.

In the larger backyard, roughly one-third of the space has been converted into multiple native planting beds connected by mulched paths. New trees—including white swamp oak, serviceberry, and chokecherry—add structure, while former lawn and garden areas continue to evolve with native flowers. The landscape also incorporates raised vegetable beds, blending habitat-focused gardening with edible plantings.

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

Host Guided Tour by Don Gustafson

Easy hike at Eloise Butler to view the prairie at peak bloom.
 

Come garden lakeside with us!

All are welcome. 

New to gardening with native plants? Come learn alongside seasoned pros!

Already an experienced habitat gardener? Come share your knowledge and passion!

Questions? Please contact Volunteer Steward Vicki Bonk.

18th Annual Monarch Festival – Festival de la Monarca

The next Minneapolis Monarch Festival will occur on Saturday, September 12th, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Festival celebrates the monarch butterfly amazing 2,300 mile migration from Minnesota to Mexico with music, food, dance, hands-on art, native plant sales and plenty of opportunities to get up close with monarch butterflies, learn about their habitats, and what you can do to make a difference.

The Festival will be held just east of the Lake Nokomis Community Center in the area bounded by E. Minnehaha Parkway, Woodlawn Boulevard, and E. Nokomis Parkway. Map & Directions.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!