“In Praise of Pollinators and Prairies” event at St. Croix Watershed Research Station

July 18th event in Marine on St. Croix will feature prairie tours, expert talks, native plant sale, and more.

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Via the St. Croix Watershed Research Station (a St. Croix 360 partner):

Photo by Alaina Fedie
Photo by Alaina Fedie

Threats to native bees, monarch butterflies and other pollinating insects are topics of wide concern. Populations of bees and butterflies are in decline, and the reasons are many and complex. For a better understanding of the issue, the public is invited to a special event featuring pollinator experts on Saturday, July 18. “In Praise of Pollinators and Prairies” will take place at the St. Croix Watershed Research Station in Marine on St. Croix from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Featured scientists include Dr. Karen Oberhauser on monarch butterflies; Dr. Vera Krischik on pesticide threats to bees; Dr. Karl Foord on native bees in Minnesota; and the scientific staff of the Research Station giving tours of experimental native prairie areas. Also participating will be the National Park Service, presenting their Pollinator Pledge for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, and beekeepers talking about the challenges and rewards of this traditional enterprise.

Guests will also meet current resident Artists at Pine Needles Soyini Guyton and Seitu Jones. Learn about their plans to develop a field guide to the natural elements of the Frogtown Farm and their Frogtown neighborhood in St. Paul.

Native prairie plants will be available for purchase, allowing visitors to improve pollinator habitat in their own backyards and gardens. Plants will be provided by Kinni Natives of River Falls, Wisconsin and Gentian Farms of Osceola, Wisconsin.

This event will take place at the Research Station’s prairie at 15111 St. Croix Trail North, Marine on St. Croix. For more information, please contact the Research Station at 651-433-5953, ext. 10 or 13; researchstation@smm.org; or www.smm.org/scwrs.

Schedule of Activities:

Experts in the Field: Join these experts for informal, 10-15 minute talks on these prairie and pollinator topics:

  • 11:30 – Karen Oberhauser: Where are all the monarchs?
  • 12:00 – Vera KrishickProtecting pollinators in landscapes
  • 12:30 – Karl Foord: Habits and habitats of MN’s native bees
  • 1:00 – Karen Oberhauser: Where are all the monarchs?
  • 1:30 – Vera Krishick: Protecting pollinators in landscapes; Karl Foord:  Habits and habitats of MN’s native bees

Guided Prairie Tours: 11:30, 12:30, or 1:15
Follow one of the St. Croix Watershed Research Station’s environmental scientists on a walk through experimental native prairie plots and learn what these prairies are telling us. (Depart from main tent.)

Meet current resident Artists at Pine Needles Soyini Guyton and Seitu Jones. Learn about their plans to develop a field guide to the natural elements of the Frogtown Farm and their Frogtown neighborhood in St. Paul.

Guest Speaker Bios:

  • Dr. Karen Oberhauser has been studying monarch butterflies since 1984. She works with teachers and pre-college students in Minnesota and throughout the United States using monarchs to teach about biology, conservation, and the process of science.
  • Dr. Vera Krishick conducts research into the effects of Neonicotinoid insecticides on bees. Her research identifies factors that make plants susceptible to stress and causes increased insect damage.
  • Dr. Karl Foord, a professor in the University of Minnesota Extension service, specializes in native bees and educating the public about healthy and successful gardening techniques.

For further information:

Sharon Mallman, Assistant Director
St. Croix Watershed Research Station
651-433-5953 ext. 13/ mallman@smm.org


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One response to ““In Praise of Pollinators and Prairies” event at St. Croix Watershed Research Station”

  1. […] said one recent day, as he walked around the prairie in advance of the research station’s “In Praise of Pollinators and Prairies” public event on Saturday, July […]

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“In Praise of Pollinators and Prairies” event at St. Croix Watershed Research Station