Bloomington Neighbors Nurturing Nature - BNNN

Fall brings great opportunities to enjoy Bloomington’s great natural spaces while working together to help restore them. Check out our Fall calendar of events. (https://www.bloomingtonnnn.org/events).
Many great opportunities - from the last trout stream in Hennepin County and Nine Mile Creek to a public school grounds and of course Marsh Lake Park. Hope you can join us!! Tools provided. Gloves encouraged.

Thanks to Mark Schneibel, Victor Rivas, Kathleen Schneibel & Ted Kramer (l to r in photo) who joined me to cut buckthorn in Forest Glen Park, Sat. 24 August!

Buckthorn Cutting
Sat. 24 Aug 8:30AM-11AM
Where: Forest Glen Park, near East 86th St & E Old Shakopee Rd., 55425

Back to School Restoration Events weekend!! Aug 17 and 18.
- Aug 17 - Olson Schools Nature Area (readying the site for students - w**ding and buckthorn removal) (9:00-Noon)
- Aug 18 - Kennedy HS Tree Planting
(10:00am-Noon)

Come join the fun and see the progress of this year’s community efforts!!

31 May 2024 - Volunteers who cut buckthorn in Forest Glen Park, Bloomington along only Trout Stream in Hennepin Co. A few blocks from Mall of America (Susan Mitzel, Julia Lizama & Robin Rainford).

01 June 2024 - Volunteers who cut buckthorn in Forest Glen Park, Bloomington along only Trout Stream in Hennepin Co. A few blocks from Mall of America (Tom Flint and Tom Fahey).

28 June 2024 - Volunteers who cut buckthorn in Forest Glen Park, Bloomington along only Trout Stream in Hennepin Co. A few blocks from Mall of America (Tom Fahey, Erin Anderson & Mark Traffas).

Winter 2023 - volunteers who cut buckthorn in Forest Glen Park, Bloomington along only Trout Stream in Hennepin Co. A few blocks from Mall of America. Top Photo 25 March '23, bottom left 18Feb'23 & right 17Feb'23.

Prairie restorations can pay big dividends with patience. Appletree Condo Association project - Prairie slept July 2022, (photo on left). In 2023 Prairie crept. In July 2024 Prairie leapt! (photo on right).

Back to school push - Time to ready Olson Schools Nature Area for the return of students.
Join us as we use the next 2 Saturdays (Aug 10 and 17) to w**d (especially around the seating area), clear trail, and of course remove buckthorn and honeysuckle. We will be there between 9:00am and noon both Saturdays.
Enjoy a morning volunteering in a great space.

Wi******er Pond in full bloom.
We have never seen the plants so tall (love the rain).
First year we have native flowers blooming all the way around the pond.

Volunteers needed.

Weeds, w**ds, and buckthorn…

A rainy summer is making for strong w**d/ buckthorn growth…

Join us this Saturday - as we continue the restoration of Olson Schools Nature Area. Something for everyone and a nice natural space to spend a morning.
July 20th, between 9:00am and noon.
Weeding (especially around our new native plants), buckthorn removal, plant watering,…
Tools provided. Gloves encouraged

This Saturday - Join us in continuing the restoration of Olson Schools Nature Area. Something for everyone and a nice natural space to spend a morning. July 20th, between 9:00am and noon.
Weeding (especially around our new native plants), buckthorn removal, plant watering,…
Tools provided. Gloves encouraged

The restoration of Marsh Lake Park continues, with butterfly approval…

Carving our way through the buckthorn forest…

The great volunteer work and summer rains shining bright in the new native grasses, flowers, and sedges at Olson Schools Nature Area.

Interested in joining the fun, watch for upcoming events.

Tree Watering Volunteers needed - 
Mother Nature did her job thus far this summer, now our turn...

Where:
- Kennedy High School
- Sign-up at: https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C0B45AAAF2DA0FBCF8-49861894-kennedy
- Valley View Park
- Send an email to [email protected]

It’s here - Second Saturdays Restoration Volunteer Event at Marsh Lake Park.

Saturday, July 13 - 9:00am-Noon. We will be continuing the restoration - w**ding and buckthorn removal (taking on another buckthorn forest).
Something for everyone, and a great space to enjoy!!

Please sign up for this event at https://signup.com/go/EzSWnSN

The coolest day of the week is a great day to volunteer at Olson Schools Nature Area. Weeding, buckthorn removal, prepping for occultation are among the volunteer opportunities this Saturday 9:00am-Noon.

This weekend’s work highlighted the incredible destruction occurring in Marsh Lake Park due to buckthorn. The buckthorn tree canopy turning a once edible space (for people, animals and pollinators) into a sterile monoculture of darkness.
Thank you to all who helped us continue our efforts to remove another section of 15 to 20+ year old buckthorn, as we work to restore the park.
Next opportunity to join us is July 13 at our Second Saturdays events at Marsh Lake Park. New time - 9:00am-noon.