Adopt A Highway Cleanup

9 AM, Saturday, October 5th

Wild River Auduboners are sponsoring yet another public participation event, this time we will be cleaning along County Highway 37, just north of Shafer, on October 5th. We will meet at the intersection of 310th St. and Redwing Ave. at 9:00 am. Bags and safety vests will be provided. Bring gloves, sturdy shoes, bug repellant and water. The weather will be perfect. Come join us; you need not be an Audubon member.

Birds & Beer at the Uncommon Loon

7pm, Wednesday, September 18th

“Minnesota’s Monarch Butterflies”

Our fall Birds & Beers series will kick off September 18th with a presentation on Minnesota’s monarch butterflies.  Our speaker, Anthony Nardecchia, became interested in monarchs in the summer of 2017 after reading about their decline.  He planted swamp milkweed in his White Bear Lake garden and waited.  No monarch butterflies visited the first year, but the second year he discovered a large caterpillar on a plant and he became hooked.  Over the next few years, he expanded the milkweed patch and began inviting individuals, families, and community groups to visit.  Join us to learn about monarchs, their habitat, life cycle and how we can help to increase their numbers. Location: Uncommon Loon, 10825 Lake Blvd, Chisago City

Prairie Seed Collection

9am, Saturday, September 28th

Wild River State Park, 39797 Park Trail, Center City

Audubon Upper Mississippi River is embarking on new habitat restoration projects along the St. Croix River, in partnership with Belwin Conservancy, MN DNR, and MN State Parks and Trails. As part of the prairie restoration planned, there is a need for volunteers to help collect seeds – join us in this project that will benefit plants, insects, and birds!

 Learn to collect seeds from a variety of prairie plants at Wild River State Park. The seeds will be planted on land that’s being turned into prairie at William O’Brien and Afton State Parks.

 Wear clothing that will protect you from the sun and ticks:

• Long, lightweight, light-colored pants.
• Socks long enough to tuck pants into.
• We supply tick gaiters that wrap around your lower legs that are treated with permethrin.
• Long-sleeved shirt.
• Wide-brimmed hat.
• Closed-toed shoes.
• Sunscreen.
• Work gloves if you have them. We have some if the seed you’re collecting is pokey.

 Bring a full water bottle, snacks, and a lunch for after. There is a water bottle filler and indoor bathrooms at the meeting location, but then we’ll be out for up to 2.5 hours on the prairie. There is always the option to return to the Trail Center for rest.

Register here to volunteer.

Birds & Beer at the Uncommon Loon

7pm, Wednesday, October 16th

“Cradle, Home and Place of Sojourn – Creation of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge”

The speaker for this presentation is John Anfinson, retired National Park Superintendent for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. John tells the story behind the 261-mile-long Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and the new vision and purpose it established for the Great River. Location: Uncommon Loon Brewing Company, 10825 Lake Blvd, Chisago City.