Wildflower Week Will Feature Tours, Speakers, More

May 18, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. — Wildflowers are an important part of any region's identity. Nebraska Wildflower Week celebrates this sense of place through wildflower-related events and activities the first week in June, when many of Nebraska's prairies and gardens are at their prime.

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum coordinates Wildflower Week activities, bringing together organizations and individuals across the state that recognize the value of wildflowers -- not only for their beauty, but also for what they symbolize. 

"Where wildflowers are thriving, it is a sign that the environment is healthy," said Bob Henrickson, whose nursery production work with the arboretum focuses on native and regionally appropriate plants. Opportunities for wildflower enthusiasts across the state include guided tours, presentations on wildflower plantings, exhibits, prairie runs and more.

Events and photos will be updated at http://arboretum.unl.edu/wildflower-week.

WILDFLOWER WEEK EVENTS IN EASTERN NEBRASKA

•  May 29-June 5 in Lincoln: A wildflower scavenger hunt will take place at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum. Tour the museum and gardens in search of wildflowers. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. 402-472-6549, info@quiltstudy.org, http://www.quiltstudy.org.
• May 29-June 5 in Beatrice: Beatrice Public Library Arboretum will have a display of books and information on wildflowers plus wildflower seedlings and small packets of assorted wildflower seeds and ornamental grasses to give away. 402-223-3584, http://www.beatrice.ne.gov/library.
• May 29-31 in and near Onawa, Iowa: The Annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar will take place with indoor programs in Onawa and outdoor sessions starting from Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area. Presentations will be given on prairies, woodlands, wildflowers and native plants for home landscapes. The event is free unless participants want to order meals in advance. 712-222-6083, pkistner@nwaea.org, http://www.nwaea.k12.ia.us/en/educators/loess_hills_prairie_seminar.
•  May 30 in Omaha: Celebrate Wildflower Week with an exploration of the amazing world of pollination at Lauritzen Gardens at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants will discover a variety of pollination stories on this guided walking tour through the gardens led by director of conservation Jim Locklear. The event is free to members or with garden admission ($10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12).  To register, call 402-346-4002, extension 263, or email h.saalfeld@omahabotancalgardens.org.
• May 30 near Ceresco: Walk through the saline wetlands of Saunders County starting at 8 a.m. at Darby Springs Farm, three miles east of Ceresco off County Road A. Learn about native pollinators, dung beetles and salt creek tiger beetles and see the benefits of grazing, multi-species pasture staking and more. This free event is sponsored by the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society. Families are welcome. 402-525-7794, http://facebook.com/nebraskasustainableagriculturesociety, healthyfarms@gmail.com.
•  June 2 in Lincoln: In conjunction with Jazz in June, Mark Canney, park planner with Lincoln Parks and Recreation, will discuss the design relationships between the plants, trees, shrubs and buildings along the 12th Street mall leading to Memorial Stadium. 402-472-1229, susan.budler@unl.edu, http://www.jazzinjune.com.
• June 3 in Wayne: "Native Plants in the Landscape through the Seasons" is a leisurely stroll through the Wayne State College campus at 6:30 p.m. to explore the use of native plants in the landscapes in different seasons. The event includes a raffle for free plants. Meet in parking lot 6. More dates are available at http://www.wsc.edu. 402-375-7384, kischra1@wsc.edu.
•  June 4 in Lincoln: A brown-bag lunch on "Environmentally Adapted Trees" by Heather Byers of Great Plains Nursery will be at noon in Keim Hall, Room 150, on UNL's East Campus. http://arboretum@unl.edu, http://arboretum.unl.edu/brown-bags.
• June 5 in Red Cloud: As part of the Willa Cather Spring Conference, a wildflower walk will take place at 8 p.m. 402-746-2653, www.willacather.org.
• June 6 near Marquette: The Griffith Prairie Fun Run will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. The course is a mowed trail through hills and prairie for walkers and runners (5K or 10K). Take Nebraska Highway 14 to Marquette corner, head four miles west on 22 Road and then a half-mile north on M Road. To register, go to  http://prairieplains.org/events.htm or email contactppri@hamilton.net.
•  June 6 near Wood River: Help with and learn about seed harvesting, native plant nursery work, invasive species control and other efforts to restore and maintain healthy grasslands during a Platte Prairies Work Days event with the Nature Conservancy from 9 a.m. to noon. More dates are available at http://nature.org/nebraska. 402-694-4191.
•  June 6 near Gretna: A "We Teach" tour and gardening presentation will be given at 10 a.m. by Douglas-Sarpy County Nebraska Extension master gardeners at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center Arboretum starting and ending at the lodge. To sign up for the $5 lunch at 12:30 p.m., please email your name, email and phone number to kdjeffers@aol.com.
• June 7 in Lincoln: The "Walk Among Wildflowers" will take place at the Pioneers Park Nature Center Prairie Building from 1 to 2 p.m. Learn about the resilient and beautiful flora of Nebraska. Register for the $3 tour by June 4. 402-441-8708, JKelley@lincoln.ne.gov.
• June 13 in Brownville: Activities and tours of Furnas Arboretum and village sites will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Justin Evertson will give a talk and answer questions about native vs. non-native plants and biodiversity. The Auburn Garden Club will participate. johnlauber@windstream.net.
•  June 27 near Pierce: The "WOW: Wings on Wildflower" tour will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about native wildflowers, their importance to pollinators and the need for diversity, try some edible wildflowers, learn about hand-harvesting natives and get tips to start your own plot. The cost of $40 includes transportation, lunch, free stuff and talks. The event is sponsored by the Northeast Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development Council. 402-582-4866, northeastrcd@plvwtelco.net.

WILDFLOWER WEEK EVENTS IN WESTERN NEBRASKA

•  May 29 through August near Harrison: Plant signage and a herbarium will help visitors identify and enjoy wildflowers at the Agate Fossil Beds Visitor Center. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and trails are open from dawn until dusk. The center is 22 miles south of Harrison on Highway 29, then east three miles on River Road. 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, http://www.nps.gov/agfo.
•  May 31 near Harrison: A "Wildflower Talk and Walk with a Ranger" will take place at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument at 2 p.m, starting at the visitor center and moving outdoors. 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, http://www.nps.gov/agfo.
• June 4 in Scottsbluff: A wildflower celebration and presentations will take place at the Legacy of the Plains Museum from 6 to 8 p.m. 308-630-8011, stormwater@scottsbluff.org, http://www.NebraskaH2O.org.
•  June 5 in Scottsbluff: A dedication of downtown gardens and talks will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Emporium Coffeehouse, followed by a downtown walking garden tour at 11 a.m.; a planting demonstration at Legacy of the Plains Museum from 1:30 to 4 p.m.; and a wildflower hike at Scottsbluff National Monument, leaving from the amphitheater at 6 p.m. 308-630-8011, stormwater@scottsbluff.org, http://www.NebraskaH2O.org.
•  June 5 near Crawford: An Agate Fossil Beds ranger will present a wildflower talk at Fort Robinson State Park, three miles west of Crawford, at 7 p.m. 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, http://www.nps.gov/agfo.
•  June 6 in Scottsbluff: A plant sale will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at Aulick's TLC with presentations at 10 and 11 a.m. 308-630-8011, stormwater@scottsbluff.org, http://www.NebraskaH2O.org.
•  June 7 near Harrison: A "Wildflower Talk and Walk with a Ranger" will take place at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument at 2 p.m., starting from the visitor center and moving outdoors. The monument is 22 miles south of Harrison on Highway 29, then east three miles on River Road. 308-668-2211 or 308-436-9760, www.nps.gov/agfo.