The annual open house will be held Saturday, April 3, from noon-4 p.m. Visitors can talk with staff about the season ahead, browse informational displays, indulge in the warmth of a fire and enjoy a nourishing treat in the Martha Crone Visitors’ Shelter. Garden tours are at 1 and 3 p.m.; pre-registration is suggested.

Garden naturalists offer free interpretive programs. April program highlights include wildflower walks, family nature hikes and birding walks.

Saturday, April 3
9:30-11 a.m. – Spring Birding at the Garden
Noon-4 p.m. – Garden Open House
1-2 p.m. – Secrets of the Spring Woods
3-4 p.m. – Spring Nature Hike

Sunday, April 4
1-2 p.m. – Barks, Buds and Branches
3-4 p.m. – Birding Basics

Wednesday, April 7
5-7 p.m. – Evening Wildflower Walk

Saturday, April 10
9:30-11 a.m. – Spring Birding at the Garden
1-2 p.m. – Spring Nature Hike
3-4 p.m. – Early Spring Wildflowers

Sunday, April 11
1-2 p.m. – Secrets of the Spring Woods
3-4 p.m. – Binoculars and Field Guides for Families

Wednesday, April 14
7:45-8:45 p.m. – New Moon Walk

Saturday, April 17
9:30-11 a.m. – Spring Birding at the Garden
1-2 p.m. – Spring Nature Hike
3-4 p.m. – Spring Ephemerals

Sunday, April 18
1-2 p.m. – Gardening with Woodland Wildflowers
3-4 p.m. – Early Spring Wildflowers

Wednesday, April 21
6-7 p.m. – Evening Wildflower Walk

Saturday, April 24
9:30-11 a.m. – Spring Birding at the Garden
1-2 p.m. – Quaking Bog Tour
3-4 p.m. – Spring Nature Hike

Sunday, April 25
1-2 p.m. – Spring Ephemerals
3-4 p.m. – Secrets of the Spring Woods

Tuesday, April 27
8-9 p.m. – Full Pink Moon Walk

Wednesday, April 28
6-7 p.m. – Evening Wildflower Walk

Bark, Buds and Branches – Spring is a great time to learn how to identify trees. A garden naturalist leads a tree identification tour using bark, buds and branches to identify trees. Participants learn how to recognize favorite species and see some in flower. Handouts are provided.

Early Spring Wildflower Hike – A garden naturalist leads a wildflower tour in search of signs of early spring favorites, including hepaticas and trout lilies.

Evening Wildflower Walk – Early evening is a wonderful time to enjoy the spirit of spring. A garden naturalist leads a tour of the wildflowers along the woodland trails.

Full Pink Moon Walk – Participants discover the magic of being in the garden long after the sun has set. The twilight tour features searching for bats, listening for owls and enjoying the spring song of chorus frogs. Pre-registration is required; participants meet at the front gate.

Gardening with Woodland Wildflowers – This tour focuses on gardening with native woodland plants. Participants explore the beauty of the garden to find inspiration for creating their own woodland wildflower garden. Handouts, including a list of native plant suppliers, are provided.

Quaking Bog Tour – The bog is home to many unique plants with interesting adaptations for survival. Participants discover the characteristics that make a bog habitat, take part in hands-on analysis of the water in the bog, and learn about what is being done to preserve this special habitat. Participants meet at the Quaking Bog parking lot.

Secrets of the Spring Woods, Spring Nature Hike – Spring is a time to appreciate the little things in the wildflower garden. A garden naturalist leads a tour helping participants discover the tiny miracles happening at this time of year.

Spring Ephemerals – Many woodland wildflowers need to flower and fruit early in the growing season. Participants learn more about the habits of a group of plants called “spring ephemerals” and search for their inspired blossoms before they disappear for the season.

Binoculars and Field Guides for Families – This program is designed for beginners of all ages. Using sight and sound participants learn to identify common birds that nest in the garden and the tools to discover a lifetime hobby.

Birding Basics – This program is designed to assist beginning birders develop techniques for successful bird watching. Topics include binoculars and field guides and locating and identifying birds.

Spring Birding at the Garden – Millions of birds are on their way to Minnesota for another breeding season and birders everywhere are getting ready. The program includes an overview of binoculars and field guides, as well as a primer on birding by ear using recordings. A naturalist will lead a walk, weather permitting, to see who has arrived so far this spring and who survived another Minnesota winter. Participants meet in the upper parking lot – rain, snow or shine.

Program Registration
To register for free public programs and fee-based special programs, ask garden-related questions or inquire about plants in bloom, please stop by the Martha Crone Visitors’ Shelter or call 612-370-4903 during shelter hours.

Registration is also available online at www.minneapolisparks.org – Gardens and Historical Sites – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. All programs begin at the shelter unless otherwise noted.

Garden Hours
Daily: April 1 to Oct, 15, 7:30 a.m. to one-half hour before sunset.

Martha Crone Visitors’ Shelter Hours
Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to one hour before sunset Sunday: noon to one hour before sunset

Directions
The garden is located one-half mile north of I-394 on Theodore Wirth Parkway. Metro Transit bus route 9 stops at Glenwood Ave. and Theodore Wirth Parkway, just a two-block walk to the garden entrance.