Diane Hilscher, President: e-mail or (651) 436-3836
Roger Miller, Programs: e-mail or (651) 275-0526

Our St. Croix Oak Savanna Chapter was formed in 2003 and sponsors monthly programs by enthusiasts and experts on native plants and natural landscapes. Meetings are normally free and open to the public. Special events may include a registration fee to help cover costs. Cold weather (indoor) meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at the Boutwells Landing auditorium in Stillwater. Socializing begins at 6:30 pm with our speaker at 7 pm. Warm weather garden tours and field trips are typically held Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. See our Chapter Calendar below for details. We welcome all levels of plant and gardening enthusiast. Join us to learn more about Minnesota and Wisconsin native plants and how they can enhance our outdoor spaces.

Join a local community of native plant enthusiasts--from novices to experts--eager to share our interest, expertise, and support.
Learn about landscaping with native plants and about local resources for plants and information.
Enjoy monthly presentations on important topics and field trips to gardens, nurseries, and natural areas.
Help us make a difference by promoting a healthier, more diverse environment, one yard and garden at a time.

Our chapter president Diane Hilscher is a registered landscape architect and native plant ecologist. She founded Hilscher Design and Ecology in 1991, specializing in landscape design with a strong environmental emphasis. Diane has over twenty-five years of experience in ecological design and construction management, and has served as vice president of the Minnesota Native Plant Society. She enjoys native plant gardening and restoration on three acres of oak savanna near Stillwater.

    Feb 27, 2010 (Sat)    

Design with Nature: Creating healthy communities above and below ground
Spring Conference 2010
We sold out the conference! Thanks to everyone who contributed to this success and who joined us for this great event.
Saturday, February 27, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Radisson Hotel Roseville, 2540 North Cleveland Ave., Roseville Click for a Map

The St. Croix Oak Savanna and Twin Cities chapters of Wild Ones are partnering with the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (MASLA), and "Blue Thumb-Planting for Clean Water" to present this event. Each of our speakers is an author and advocate for renewing the ecosystems that are our yards, gardens and landscapes. Together they will discuss the latest research on symbiotic relationships between native plants and soils, microorganisms, insects and wildlife. With thoughtful design, these elements work together to create robust landscapes and healthy communities.

    Mar 18, 2010 (Thu)    

Planting in Wetlands
Thursday, MARCH 18TH, 2010, 6:30-8:30 pm
NOTE OUR NEW LOCATION
Boutwells Landing Auditorium, 13575 58th St. N., Oak Park Heights Click here for a map

A wetland is an area where water covers the soil or keeps it saturated for at least two or three weeks during the growing season. Some are inundated year-round while others only hold water for brief periods in the spring. Wetlands pose special opportunities and challenges for homeowners, gardeners and landscape designers.

Jyneen Thatcher, Wetlands Specialist with the local Washington Conservation District, will explain what you need to know about wetland soils and hydrology, and how to choose wetland plants for your location. She’ll also discuss the regulations and constraints that you need to understand before planting in wetlands, and offer information on grant programs that may be available for making wetland improvements. Refreshments and socializing begin at 6:30 pm. with the main program at 7 pm.

    Apr 15, 2010 (Thu)    

Befriending Bumble Bees and other Native Pollinators
Thursday, April 15TH, 2010, 6:30-8:30 pm
NOTE OUR NEW LOCATION
Boutwells Landing Auditorium, 13575 58th St. N., Oak Park Heights Click here for a map

Unlike European honey bees, many bumble bees are native to our area and have evolved as important pollinators for our native plants. And some bumble bee behavior (like “buzz pollination”) makes them uniquely suited for fertilizing certain crops. Some rare wildflowers might disappear without them.

Native pollinators are threatened as their habitat becomes more fragmented. Learn how you can design your gardens and landscapes to befriend them and provide food sources and nesting sites.

Entomologist and co-author of Befriending Bumble Bees, Elaine Evans, is our speaker. Refreshments and socializing begin at 6:30 pm. with the main program at 7 pm.

    Apr 20, 2010 (Tue)    

Special Program: Emerald Ash Borer - Impact, Symptoms and Management
Tuesday, April 20TH, 2010, 7:00-8:00 pm
NOTE OUR NEW LOCATION
Boutwells Landing Auditorium, 13575 58th St. N., Oak Park Heights Click here for a map

Kathy Widin, forestry consultant for Oak Park Heights and Stillwater, will present a seminar about emerald ash borer (EAB) for area residents at Boutwell's Landing in Auditorium A. Learn about emerald ash borer, the potential impacts to trees in our area, what symptoms to look for and how to manage the pest. Kathy will provide EAB pamphlets and identification cards for those attending.

    May 15, 2010 (Sat)    

"Birds and Blooms" Tour of Interstate Park
Saturday, MAY 15TH, 2010

We'll post more detail soon. Wildflowers and birds! Who can resist? Our field guide for wildflowers will be naturalist Dave Crawford who spoke at our January meeting. We've invited members of the St. Paul Audubon, including Chase Davies, who will be our field guide for birding