Friends' Garden Projects - Current and Recent
at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Special Project Funding
The Friends have undertaken funding various projects over the years to benefit the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. These projects are jointly worked out between the Friends and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. These projects are funded from donations and memorials received by The Friends. The most recent projects are shown below.
The Friends funding for 2017 Garden Projects
1. Completion of the new desk for the Shelter - Quartersawn white oak. Final cost $1464.
2. 2017 installment of invasive plant control and habitat restoration in the prairie and wetland - $3,500.
3. Student Transportation Grant Fund subsidized 525 student Garden visits. Cost $2.040.
The Friends funding for 2016 Garden Projects
1. Student Transportation Grant Fund that subsidizes transportation costs for bringing school age children to the Garden for nature study. This year we provided $2,358 for transportation of 13 classes - 635 students.
2. Addition funds for year #2 of the invasive control project began in 2015 - $975
3. Miscel. projects: Deposit on construction of a new desk for the Martha Crone Shelter - $500; kids backpack project - $139; support for Friends Invasive Plant Action Group - $192; Shelter furniture upkeep - $162.
The Friends funding for 2015 Garden Projects
1. The Friends funded the purchase of 100 native trees and shrubs, planted by the Garden staff in an area adjacent to Geranium Path where a number of Ohio Buckeye have been removed. The Buckeyes have become far too numerous. This is also the area where there was storm damage from the 2011 tornado. Cost - $2,042. (Details).
2. The Student Transportation Grant Fund provide support to one school.
3. The Cary George Wetland Project boardwalk was installed July 6 to 23rd. It was funded over the past three years. A section design that replaces the current bridge is shown below. Costs of $75,000 (The Friends portion) were placed in 2014. Details.
4. Invasive plant control: The Friends funded the removal of sumac, wild raspberry, Reed Canary Grass and volunteer trees in the prairie area. In the wetland and woodland area, we are funding the removal of recently grown buckthorn, spot spraying of Reed Canary Grass. Total cost of the project, completed in November and early December was $5,150.
The Friends funding for 2014 Garden Projects
1. Design completion was finalized and construction bidding of the Cary George Wetland Project is in process. After several years of planning, construction will occur in the summer of 2015. (see details below in the 2013 report). We are continuing to raise funds for this project. $75,000 has been deposited with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board thus far and we believe additional funds will be needed. Thanks to all who have contributed thus far.
2. The Children's Transportation Grant Program Fund that subsidizes transportation costs for bringing school age children to the Garden for nature study needed replenishment this year. We held a fund raiser for this fund on Sunday Aug. 3, 2014 at the newly renovated Wirth Park Pavilion located just adjacent to the Garden. Thanks to all who took part - we raised over $3,500 for the fund. In 2014 we provided over $2,800 in funding for 752 students to visit the Garden. (Transportation Fund details)
3. A $500 grant was made to Minneapolis Audubon in assistance for a video explaining the effects of the new glass used on the Minnesota Vikings Stadium.
The Friends funding for 2013 Garden Projects
The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden have approved two new projects for 2013 and the continuation of one project from 2012.
1. NEW: The planting of herbaceous woodland plants, at the front entrance to the Garden in order to continue to increase the amount of native flora in this prominent area of the Garden. Cost - $1,652. Completed 646 plants planted - 19 species. Species details Here
2. NEW: A survey of the Wildflower Garden throughout the 2013 season to sample bees in the Garden and collect data on identifications and activity in order to provide a baseline for future monitoring and for environmental education programs. This will be done by a certified entomologist. Estimated cost - $3,750. Completion: Survey finished; data analysis winter 2013/14. DETAILS HERE
3. CONTINUING: The Cary George Wetland Project. This major wetland project of creating a boardwalk to replace old deteriorating bridges has involved a wetland survey, design considerations, and the need to move some rare plants. Design work is in process and the start of construction may begin in 2014. Estimated cost - $100,000 -$150,000. The Friends and the MPRB are jointly funding this project. MPRB is providing $43,000 via a gift received for the Garden and the The Friends must fund the remainder. Our initial contribution in Oct. 2013 was $25,000.
The Friends funding for 2012 Garden Projects
The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden have approved one new project for 2012 and the continuation of two projects from 2011. Approved last year but moving forward this year are:
1. The planting of 152 native canopy and understory trees in the east hardwood forest area of Violet Way. This project was delayed from 2011 due to the extreme dry soil conditions in the fall along with the difficulty of manually watering so many young trees. The Garden staff decided to wait until more moist conditions were on-hand in the spring vs planting in dry conditions and not have the transplants survive the winter. Cost - $2,507 (species listing)
2. The Cary George Wetland Project. This major wetland project of creating a boardwalk to replace old deteriorating bridges has involved a wetland survey, design considerations, and the need to move some rare plants. Design work and site review are planned for 2012. Estimated cost - $25,000 to begin. $100,000+ to complete.
3. A new project approved for funding is the planting of an additional 1600 to 2400 herbaceous woodland plants, wildflowers and ferns, in the area of Violet Way. This continues the restocking of this hardwood forest area where an extensive spread of periwinkle (Vinca minor) has been removed. This planting occurred this summer with a total 2,850 plants set in representing 23 different species. A small selection of plants scheduled for fall planting will be delayed to the spring season due to the dry conditions. Cost - $5,140. (species listing)
The Friends funding for 2011 Garden Projects
The Friends Board of Directors approved funding for three projects in the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden for the 2011 season. Two projects involve plantings: 1) 1429 wildflowers and ferns were planted in the east hardwood forest, uphill of Violet Way Trail and 2) 100 to 150 native canopy and understory trees to be planted in the same area. Project #1 was completed in July 2011 by the Garden staff and project #2 was delayed until the spring of 2012. The extreme dry soil conditions in the fall along with the difficulty of manually watering so many young trees, caused the Garden staff to wait until more moist conditions were on-hand vs planting in dry conditions and not have the transplants survive the winter. Garden Curator Susan Wilkins commented on the project: "The planting is part of a long-term, on-going effort to bring the woodland areas around Violet Way Trail into greater health."(species detail)