A Million Shades of Green A Million Shades of Green is a celebration of the natural beauty of our landscape and the role we play in restoring and recreating that beauty. Events, exhibits and workshops related to the preservation, restoration and beautification of natural areas in public and private urban spaces will celebrate the beauty of our natural heritage and provide opportunities for visitors and participants to reconnect with the land. Friday, April 18, 2008 through Sunday, April 27, 2008.
Celebration Activities Sunken Garden Spring Flower Show Saturday, March 22 – Sunday, April 27
Greening Rain Garden Friday, April 18 – Sunday, April 27
A Million Acorns Located at the Picnic Rental Space in Como Park Zoo and conducted by Wiley Buck, Great River Greening Restoration Ecologist, and Tara Newhouse, Project Assistant, 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.
Leonard Wilkening Children's Gallery Opening Located at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. The Gallery will be the epicenter for kids’ experiential learning. Children are able to learn about the circle of life through hands-on activities, creative play and interactive stations. Saturday, April 19
Party for the Planet Produced by Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in collaboration with other AZA-accredited zoos, Party for the Planet is a 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. Saturday, April 19 – Earth Day, April 22
Wishes for the Sky, Promises to the Earth
Sunday, April 20
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. Mr. Akagawa’s work can be found in places as diverse as the Nicollet Mall and Tettegouche State Park. His work, whether commissioned by the City of Houston, Minnesota State Arts Board, Walker Art Center, or Wisconsin State Arts Board, reflects a spirit of place. Mr. Akagawa’s outdoor gathering places connect the past with the future and the visitor with nature. These works are created whenever possible from indigenous materials and are eco-friendly, reflecting Mr. Akagawa’s long held philosophy of sustainability. Monday, April 21 – Friday, April 25
Planting with Natives Located in the Visitor Center at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, this demonstration workshop and lecture is 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. Wednesday, April 23
Global Warming - Its Impact on Minnesota Forests Located in the Visitor Center at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 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. Thursday, April 24
A Million Shades of Green Gala Great River Greening honors eight organizations and individuals as the environmental stewards of the year at its A Million Shades of Green Gala. The honorees have been chosen on the basis of their commitment to the environment as demonstrated through their accomplishments related to the preservation, restoration and beautification of natural areas and they inspire an awareness of the natural beauty of the landscape. A Million Shades of Green Gala honors: Friday, April 25, 2008, Arbor Day $125 per person; tables of ten available
Eagle Creek Planting The Eagle Creek Aquatic Management Area is a natural area corridor along the branches of Eagle Creek obtained by the City and deeded to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In partnership with DNR, Great River Greening ecologists wrote the vegetation management plan for Eagle Creek, which is one of the few remaining trout streams in the Metro Area. Though the surrounding site has been degraded by agricultural use, the creek still contains a wide variety of rare natural features such as kittentails, boiling springs, and wet meadow and dry prairie communities. Join us as we continue to restore oak savanna plant communities along the streambank. Volunteers will plant oak seedlings and remove invasive species like buckthorn. This is our largest public event of the spring season, so don’t miss it! Saturday, May 3
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