May 19, 2008
Nebraska Wildflower Week Celebrated First Week in June
LINCOLN, Neb. — Inspired by a similar national event, Nebraska Wildflower Week is a celebration of wildflowers and native plants in the wild and in the landscape through an array of events and activities across Nebraska. It is observed in early June (May 31-June 8), when Nebraska's prairies and gardens are typically at their prime.
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum serves as coordinator and clearinghouse for Wildflower Week activities, offering updated event information at http://arboretum.unl.edu/wildflower.
NSA Director Jim Locklear said, "We need wildflowers. Wildflowers and other native plants define and are defined by all that makes one place something apart from another place – weather, rocks, soil, history, human affection. To know their names, their strengths and strangeness, is to know your place, in every sense of the word."
Opportunities for wildflower enthusiasts, all across the state, include:
– wildflower walks in prairies and nature centers near Albion, Marquette, Hampton, Lincoln, Harrison and Omaha;
– wildflower plant sales in Clarkson and Lincoln; and
– wildflower camps for kids in Omaha
Wildflower-related events are listed below. For wildflower resources and event updates, visit http://arboretum.unl.edu/wildflower/ or call (402) 472-2971.
WILDFLOWER EVENTS STATEWIDE
May 31-June 8 in Crete. Self-guided tours on the walking trail of Crete Area Medical Center from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Available year-round. 2910 Betten Dr., (402) 826-2102
May 31-June 8 in Harrison. Guided walks at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, weather and staff permitting. Trails have plant ID and an herbarium in visitor center. 301 River Road, (308) 668-2211
May 31 in Omaha. "Wild about Wildflowers" family workshop at Lauritzen Gardens, 10-11:30 a.m. Hike, identify wildflowers, create a take-along guide. For ages 5-12 accompanied by adult; register by May 24. 100 Bancroft St. (402) 346-4002, ext. 201.
June 1 in Lincoln. Wildflower Walks at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center from 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1-2:30 p.m. led by UNL's Kay Kottas. Children 12 and under ($4) should be with an adult ($6). Preregister by May 31. 11700 SW 100 St., (402) 797-2301
June 2-8 in Clarkson. Wildflower Sale at Gardenland, retail garden center of Bluebird Nursery Inc. Hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Sixth and Linden, (402) 892-3442
June 3 in Lincoln. UNL Botanical Gardens and Arboretum hosting tour of Love Library campus gardens, 6-6:45 p.m. before Jazz in June.
June 3 in Hampton. Wildflower hike at 6 p.m. at Marie Ratzlaff Prairie Preserve, 30-acre virgin tallgrass prairie and 10-acre restoration. 6 miles south of I-80 exit 338 to Hampton, (402) 694-5535
June 3 in Omaha. Twilight Tuesdays at Lauritzen Gardens, with grounds, café and gift shop open until 8 p.m. 100 Bancroft St. (402) 342-4002, ext. 201
June 4 in Albion. Wildflower hike at 6 p.m. at Olson Nature Preserve, 112-acre natural area with sandhills prairie, wetlands, oak forest and Beaver Creek, perennial spring-fed stream out of the Sandhills. 10 miles north of Albion (sign at Hwy 14 county road turnoff), (402) 694-5535
June 7 in Bellevue. Join teacher/naturalist Norm Toenjes at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center at 1 p.m. as he explores trails, looking for numerous species of wildflowers. 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N, (402) 731-3140
June 7 in Lincoln. "Wildflower Wonders." Guided walks to see what's blooming in the Pioneers Park Nature Center gardens and prairies. Learn more about native plants for your own garden. (also July 12, Aug. 16 and Sept. 20). 3201 S. Coddington, (402) 441-8708
June 7 near Marquette. Wildflower hike at 6 p.m. at Griffith Prairie and Farm, outstanding 250-acre loess bluff prairie on Platte River. 4 miles west of Marquette, 9 miles north of Aurora, (402) 694-5535
June 7 in Lincoln. Wildflowers and native plants on sale at Nebraska Statewide Arboretum greenhouses, north end of UNL East Campus, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 38th and Huntington, (402) 472-2971
June 7 in Lincoln. "Natives in the Landscape" Garden Walk through plantings at Finke Gardens that integrate natives in the cultivated landscape. 500 N. 66th, (402) 466-1995
June 8 in Omaha. Omaha Rose Society's Spring Rose Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Lauritzen Gardens. 100 Bancroft St., (402) 346-4002, ext. 201.
June 8 in Bellevue. Join teacher/naturalist Mary Lou Alfieri on a walk at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center from 2-3:30 p.m. 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N, (402) 731-3140.
5/19/08-DM/KL
Karma Larsen
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Communications Associate
(402) 472-2971
Dan Moser IANR News & Photography Coordinator (402) 472-3007
Department: Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
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