Visit the Native Plant Market and Eco Fun Fest June 7

Join the city of Minnetonka for the third year of the Native Plant Market and Eco Fun Fest June 7, 3–7 p.m., at the . The event will take place in the city hall parking lot, rain or shine.

Native plant market

Many residents have asked for an opportunity to buy native plants, and now’s your chance. Prairie Restorations, Dragonfly Gardens, Natural Shore Technologies, Minnesota Native Landscapes, Naturally Wild and Out Back Nursery will be at the native plant market to sell a variety of native plants ranging from woody plants to grasses and wildflowers.

This is a cash/check-and-carry event so bring a box to make it easier to carry your plants home. Remember, native plants may be a bit more expensive than common horticultural varieties, but the benefit to the natural environment is worth every penny.

Eco Fun Fest

After buying plants, spend some time with your family at the Eco Fun Fest. Visit the Zoo Mobile and view live animals, join the herpetology society for an up close look at reptiles, watch the honeybee hive, participate in a plant walk or watch your kids as they learn how to climb a tree with a rope and saddle. (Guardians will need to sign a liability waiver for their child to participate in the tree climbing.)

Master gardeners, tree care advisors, the Audubon Society and watershed district representatives will be available to answer all your plant, tree, bird and surface water questions. Hot dogs and chips will be available for purchase.

What to bring:

• Cash or checks for plant purchases.
• A box to carry away your new landscape treasures.
• Your own water bottle, so you remember to hydrate.
• Rain gear if rain is predicted. This is a rain-or-shine event, although it may be cancelled if there is severe weather.

Schedule of events

Native Plant Market

3–7 p.m.
Prairie Restorations, Dragonfly Gardens, Natural Shore Technologies, Minnesota Native Landscapes, Naturally Wild and Out Back Nursery will be at the native plant market to sell a variety of native plants ranging from woody plants to grasses and wildflowers.

Zoo Mobile

Minnesota Zoo
4–6 p.m.
See native and exotic animals.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Minnesota Herpetological Society
3–7 p.m.
Visit and touch some cold-blooded critters.

Information Tent

3–7 p.m.

• Audubon Society
• Blue Thumb display
• Master Naturalists
• Master Gardeners
• Tree Care Advisors
• Tree House of Horrors
• Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
• Minnehaha Creek Watershed District

Honeybee Pollinator Display

University of Minnesota Bell Museum
4–6 p.m.
View and learn about honeybees.

Tree Climbing Activity

Minnesota Society of Arborculture
3:30–7 p.m.
Kids can learn to climb a tree with a rope and saddle.

Guardian signature on liability waiver required for participation.

Native Plant Walk

5–6 p.m.
Learn about plants and restoration in progress in two habitats on the Civic Center Campus: oak woodland and creek floodplain forest. Led by Cheryl Culbreth, master naturalist.

Free Native Plants to the first 150 visitors

Plant a plug in a pot
3–7 p.m.

Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) plugs will be available to “upgrade” into a larger pot. Limit one per person. Bring a 4″ pot or the city will provide one.