Nature Walk with a Naturalist: Plants Are Smarter Than You Think
Plants are more active than many people think. They defend themselves, seek energy, leverage cooperation from animals (including humans), and spread their offspring. Join Dave Crawford, naturalist, to learn about the wisdom and ways of plants at Minnehaha Regional Park in summer.
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required on Eventbrite. More information on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1389668749639?aff=oddtdtcreator
MPRB Early Summer BioBlitz at Minnehaha Park
Registration is now OPEN for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Early Summer BioBlitz on June 14th. This is a partnership with Friends of Minnehaha Park, and we’re proud to be able to support Citizen Science at this beautiful park. Volunteers at BioBlitz events use the iNaturalist app and hike through the park with an expert, gathering data onto a project page by way of uploading photographs onto the app. The information provides data on biodiversity, which can then be used by the Park Board, nature lovers and scientists.
This is a rare opportunity to learn from an expert about Plants, Birds, Fungi, Tree ID, Aquatic Macroinvertabrates and more. You pick the sections you want to join. Feel free to sign up for as much or as little of the day as you want. Details about meet up location will be provided after you register.
Early morning birding, 7:30am-9:00am
Morning session, 9:15am-12:15pm
Lunch, 12:15pm-1:00pm
Afternoon session, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Pre-registration is required at Minnehaha Park Early Summer 2025 BioBlitz Registration Form
Wednesday night Buckthorn Slayers canceled due to rain on 6/11
Regular Buckthorn Removal Events typically meet every Wednesday from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Saturday from 1:00-3:00PM at the free lower parking lot of Wabun Picnic Area (weather permitting) to head down the trailhead to the park. We will not be. meeting on Saturday, June 14, because it conflicts with the MPRB Early Summer BioBLitz at Minnehaha Park (registration required. Minnehaha Park Early Summer 2025 BioBlitz Registration Form
Wear sturdy shoes and layers, and bring a water bottle. We supply tools and work gloves. Link to a google map directions to the meet up location. https://goo.gl/maps/C9u6SRAG5DUaQBTP7
Saturday, June 7 Buckthorn Removal Event
Buckthorn Slayers meet every Wednesday from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Saturday from 1:00-3:00PM at the free lower parking lot of Wabun Picnic Area (weather permitting) to head down the trailhead to the park. Wednesday, June 4 Buckthorn Event is canceled due to air quality concerns. Saturday, June 14 is canceled because of a conflict with the Early Summer BioBlitz that day.
Wear sturdy shoes and long pants, and bring a water bottle. We supply tools and work gloves. Link to a google map directions to the meet up location. https://goo.gl/maps/C9u6SRAG5DUaQBTP7
No Buckthorn Slayers events June 4 and June 14
We’re canceling Buckthorn Slayers on Wednesday night, June 4 due to poor air auality concerns. On June 14th, we hope you will all join us at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Minnehaha Regional Park Early Summer BioBlitz. Check out the event post for that event. Pre-registration is required. More information and registration link are here.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities-events/nature-activities/bioblitz-minneapolis-parks/
Wednesday, May 28 Buckthorn Removal Event CANCELLED DUE TO RAINY WEATHER
Join the Buckthorn Slayers at a regular Buckthorn Removal Event. We meet twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday.
Buckthorn Removal Event Sat, May 24
Regular Buckthorn Removal Events are returning in May. We meet every Wednesday from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Saturday from 1:00-3:00PM at the free lower parking lot of Wabun Picnic Area (weather permitting) to head down the trailhead to the park. Wear sturdy shoes and layers, and bring a water bottle. We supply tools and work gloves. Link to a google map directions to the meet up location. https://goo.gl/maps/C9u6SRAG5DUaQBTP7
Buckthorn Removal Wednesday, May 21 cancelled — too wet
Regular Buckthorn Removal Events are returning in May. We meet every Wednesday from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Saturday from 1:00-3:00PM at the free lower parking lot of Wabun Picnic Area (weather permitting) to head down the trailhead to the park. Wear sturdy shoes and layers, and bring a water bottle. We supply tools and work gloves. Link to a google map directions to the meet up location. https://goo.gl/maps/C9u6SRAG5DUaQBTP7
Saturday Buckthorn Removal Events
Regular Buckthorn Removal Events are returning in May. We meet every Wednesday from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Saturday from 1:00-3:00PM at the free lower parking lot of Wabun Picnic Area (weather permitting) to head down the trailhead to the park. Wear sturdy shoes and layers, and bring a water bottle. We supply tools and work gloves. Link to a google map directions to the meet up location. https://goo.gl/maps/C9u6SRAG5DUaQBTP7
Wednesday and Saturday Buckthorn Removal return
Regular Buckthorn Removal Events are returning in May. We meet every Wednesday from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Saturday from 1:00-3:00PM at the free lower parking lot of Wabun Picnic Area (weather permitting) to head down the trailhead to the park. Wear sturdy shoes and layers, and bring a water bottle. We supply tools and work gloves. Link to a google map directions to the meet up location. https://goo.gl/maps/C9u6SRAG5DUaQBTP7
Nature Walk with a Naturalist: Spring Wildflowers at Minnehaha Park
Join Friends of Minnehaha Park volunteer naturalist, Dave Crawford, for our May Nature Walk at Minnehaha Park. We may find dogwood, trillium, wild geraniums, columbine, bellwort, violets, wild ginger and many others.
The planned walk is approximately ¾ miles in length.
FREE. — SPACE LIMITED — REGISTRATION REQUIRED
EventBrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nature-walk-with-a-naturalist-spring-wildflowers-at-minnehaha-park-tickets-1349795347219?aff=oddtdtcreator
MNI SOTA MAKOCE: Indigenous Wisdom of Minnesota Landscapes
John (Mitigonaabe) Koepke, Emeritus Professor of the U of MN Department of Landscape Architecture and current consultant with Urban Ecosystems, will draw from his extensive knowledge of Minnesota geography, plants and architecture to help us envision Minnehaha Park’s precolonial appearance and learn about native ecological principles that could be incorporated into its use today.
FREE EVENT — OPEN TO THE PUBLIC — REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED
MPRB BioBlitz: Spring Ephemerals Walk
Come out and volunteer at a spring ephemerals BioBlitz event at Minnehaha Regional Park! We’re partnering with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board to engage in Citizen Science to observe and document species in the park using the iNaturalist app. The results can be viewed as a project by anyone using the app, and can also be used as a baseline study of species biodiversity.
Contact us at FriendsofMinnehahaPark@gmail.com if you’d like to be a volunteer or want to know more!
Marsh marigold can be seen at Minnehaha Park in the marshy land every spring. Photo credit: iNaturalist 4/28/24 Mary Ann Van Cura
MPRB Earth Day Clean-Up at Minnehaha Park
The Earth Day Clean-Up is the largest community service event in Minneapolis, with over 40 clean-up sites across the city.
The 2025 Earth Day Clean-Up is a drop-in volunteer activity — no need to pre-resister! Arrive at Minnehaha Regional Park by Sea Salt, where you’ll check in, receive equipment and instructions. Parking at MPRB meters and lots will not be enforced until 1:00pm on Saturday, April 19. Just ensure you’re parked at an MPRB location. View a map of MPRB parking facilities.
https://minneapolisparks.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=701b549d9308482eac18ced773e5dfce
The clean-up wraps up at noon, so be sure to bring your enthusiasm and help us make a difference! Thank you for your commitment to cleaner greener parks!
Nature Walk with a Naturalist: Signs of Spring at Minnehaha Park
Many woodland flowers bloom as early as weather permits, before trees have a chance to leaf out and create too much shade. Join Dave in the park to see what's up and what's on the way. By next month it will be too late to spot these early bloomers. Besides wildflowers blossoming, birds are preparing for nesting, with new species arriving from the south every week.
The planned walk is approximately 2/3 miles in length. Free. Space limited. Registration required. Sponsored by Friends of Minnehaha Park.
Link to directions to the free lower Wabun parking lot, where the walk begins: https://goo.gl/maps/C9u6SRAG5DUaQBTP7
Don't miss out on this chance to learn about nature and explore the beauty of Minnehaha Park!
More Famous Than Niagara: Minnehaha Falls in the 1850s
How did Minnehaha Falls become a national tourist destination in the 19th century? Author and historian Karen E. Cooper will share stories of the people, politics and photos of Minnehaha Park and the period, and how this was made possible. Karen is the author of When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey: A Spirited History of the Falls. Her book will be available for sale at the event.
This free event is sponsored by Friends of Minnehaha Park