Reconnect with the Land with Second Annual
A Million Shades of Green Celebration

Renowned Forest Ecologist to speak about
Global Warming’s Impact on Minnesota Forests

April 9, 2008

To Partners and Friends of Great River Greening:

Professor Lee Frelich warns that Minnesota's premier north woods wilderness--the most visited wilderness area in the country--is heading for a "perfect storm" of events so catastrophic that both pines and moose could vanish within two generations. Learn from him and others in a week of activities for adults and children related to the preservation, restoration, and beautification of natural areas and open spaces.  Highlights include a children’s book workshop on the story of oaks, an art show at Anchor Bank, workshop by author Carrol Henderson on landscaping for wildlife, and evening gala honoring corporate and other stewards.
Dates: April 18 - 27
Celebration Activities

Sunken Garden Spring Flower Show is an annual delight and sure sign that spring is blossoming.  Held in the Sunken Garden of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory the show is produced by the staff of the Conservatory and runs concurrently with A Million Shades of Green.

Greening Rain Garden, produced by Great River Greening, located on Donor Plaza at the Como Zoo and Conservatory demonstrates how attractive native plants effectively help water infiltrate into the ground instead of carrying nutrients and other pollutants into streams and lakes.

A Million Acorns for Kids located at the Picnic Rental Space in Como Park Zoo and conducted by Wiley Buck, Great River Greening Restoration Ecologist, instructs children in the development of oak seedlings in a hands-on workshop and features The Great Sebastian and His Million Acorns, a children’s book by Tom Frank. Date: Saturday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Party for the Planet, produced by Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in collaboration with other AZA-accredited zoos, is a nation-wide celebration to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment to make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level.   Guests will be able to learn more on recycling, water gardens and how to lower energy consumption. Party for the Planet also celebrates the opening of the new Children's Gallery at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
Dates: Saturday, April 19 – Earth Day, April 22, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Wishes for the Sky, Promises to the Earth, produced by Public Art Saint Paul in partnership with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, is an interactive experience inviting children and adult participants to write wishes for the earth on bird-shaped kites and fly them during an activity filled Earth Day afternoon on Harriet Island, Saint Paul. Date: Sunday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

A Million Shades Landscape Art and Photography Exhibit located in the lobby of Anchor Bank, Saint Paul, skyway level at 332 Minnesota Street, showcases the work of Kinji Akagawa, 2007 McKnight Distinguished Artist and internationally renowned landscape and wildlife photographer Layne Kennedy.
Dates: Monday, April 21 – Friday, April 25, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Planting with Natives, located in the Visitor Center at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, is a demonstration workshop and lecture conducted by Carroll Henderson, well known Minnesota author and Supervisor of the Nongame Program of the Minnesota DNR. Mr. Henderson highlights best practices when landscaping with native plants. Date: Wednesday, April 23, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Global Warming – Its Impact on Minnesota Forests, located in the Visitor Center at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, is a one hour presentation on the current and future effects of global warming on Minnesota forests conducted by Lee Frelich, Research Associate and Director, University of Minnesota Center for Hardwood Ecology. Dr. Frelich highlights the dramatic changes that are occurring and will continue to occur in the Minnesota landscape if global warming trends are not stopped. Date: Thursday, April 24, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A Million Shades of Green Gala honors:
Corporate Environmental Steward of the Year – Target Corporation
Non-profit Environmental Steward of the Year – Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Environmental Business of the Year – Aggregate Industries
Environmental Community Partner of the Year – Minnesota DNR – Division of Ecological Resources
Individual Environmental Steward of the Year – Matt Mollet
Landscape Artist of the Year – Kinji Akagawa
Landscape Photographer of the Year – Layne Kennedy
Founders’ Award – Joe Kingman
Date: Friday, April 25, 2008, Arbor Day, 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
$125 per person; tables of ten available

New to Great River Greening Staff
We are all excited to welcome Mark Turbak (M.A. forthcoming) as our new volunteer manager. Mark’s career developed within American Red Cross, where he quickly moved up the ladder, holding jobs in volunteer resources, individual giving, and training. As the State/National Disaster Volunteer and Training Coordinator he trained and deployed hundreds of volunteers in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.