Exhibitors
Exhibitor table of contents
To create, restore, & maintain healthy, equitable, public natural and green spaces
By working to build and ensure a sense of community among neighbors
Through collective action focused on
The natural ecosystems in which we all live.
Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) - Lawns to Legumes
BWSR's mission is to improve and protect Minnesota's water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners. Funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Lawns to Legumes offers a combination of workshops, coaching, planting guides and cost-share funding for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential yards. BWSR partners with Metro Blooms and Blue Thumb — Planting for Clean Water to administer the program.
All people should have food, good local organic food. Families offer their bounty to others and encourage others to grow food in their own yards.
There will be urban growers available to answer questions, talk about their design and experience. Produce will also be available. Take some or share some!
Minnesota's leader in nature-based climate solutions through land restoration.
We restore resilient landscapes, address biodiversity loss, and sequester and store carbon through community-based stewardship.
Engage, educate, act and collaborate for the environment. Hennepin County Environment and Energy provides funding and support to organizations to actively educate, engage and motivate residents to become environmental stewards and make positive behavior changes
Community Recycling Ambassadors are trained on waste prevention, recycling and composting, and effective communication skills through a six-week course, with one class each week, taught by industry experts and community leaders. Once training is complete, participants commit to volunteering 30-hours putting their skills to work on projects and activities that minimize waste and provide waste reduction, recycling and composting education.
"If half of American lawns were replaced with native plants, we would create the equivalent of a 20-million-acre national park, nine times bigger than Yellowstone or 100 times bigger than Shenandoah National Park."
Doug Tallamy, Internationally recognized entomologist and author of Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard
Altlawns member will talk with you about this unique and exciting initiative. They will help you register your square footage and Get on the Map!
Lakota Made LLC
Mitakuye, čaƞte’ wašte’ nape čiyuzapi kšto. Ta Wa Paha Ota Wiƞ emakiyapi kšto, emataƞhaƞ Ta Asaƞpi Oyaƞke kšto.
My relatives, I greet you with a good heart and a hand shake. My name is Many War Bonnets Woman. I am from Milks Camp, South Dakota. (only direct family members can use my Lakota name)
I grew up in South Central South Dakota and spent a majority of my life living in South Dakota. My parents are Charles Wayne and Marla Bull Bear. My parents have always been a strong foundation for me, providing me with Lakota teachings and traditions growing up.
The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District's mission is to manage and protect the Minnesota River, lakes streams, wetlands and groundwater and to assist in providing river navigation.
The mission of the Minnesota Dragonfly Society is: Ensuring the Conservation of Minnesota’s Dragonflies and Damselflies through Research and Education.
MDS members have not only continued the traditions of the MOSP through workshops and surveys, but they have expanded the MOSP footprint by partnering at events such as bioblitzes, nature festivals, schools and other events. The goal is, as it was in the beginning, to get people excited about these charismatic little predators while contributing to the actual science of dragonflies and damselflies in Minnesota.
The Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center serves as a hub for community outreach and education that is grounded in the world-renowned bee research of University of Minnesota Scientist Marla Spivak, Ph.D. Displays use macro-photography of flowers and pollinators, and exhibits offer insights into honey bees, wild bees, Monarch butterflies, and other pollinators.
Note: This booth will focus on native bees and other pollinators. Honey bees are not native and not part of conservation and rewilding.
MRVAC promotes environmental awareness, education, and advocacy action, especially relating to the wildlife and habitats of the Minnesota River Valley. We take pride in teaching our communities about the importance of getting outdoors, experiencing nature, and caring for wildlife and the environment.
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter of the National Audubon Society was first organized on March 2, 1967. Our membership area spans the Minnesota River valley from Bloomington to Henderson, just to the south and west of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, through efforts of our staff, board, advisory committees, consulting engineers, and partners, works to protect and preserve the water resources of the Nine Mile Creek Watershed.
Organic Bob
Bob Dahm will answer your turf questions and help you decide where a shady garden would be a better option.
Prairie Restorations, Inc. was founded in 1977 as one of the first companies in the nation devoted exclusively to designing, restoring, and managing native prairie plant communities. Since then, we’ve grown from three employees in a single location to a full-time staff of over 85 employees in six locations throughout Minnesota.
Prairie Restoration has built a Buzz Fest pre-sale page for us. Order plants, books, and capes for pick up at Buzz Fest! Fall is a great time to plant. If you are a Lawns to Legumes winner this is a perfect chance to put your plans in action - buy to fall plant.
Resilient Cities and Communities - Adopt A Drain
We envision resilient cities and other communities with the ability to not just adapt to change but also thrive in times of turmoil or chronic stress.
Our mission is to support, empower and connect citizen groups and local governments to promote sustainability, with the overarching goal of making communities more resilient to harmful shocks and chronic stresses. RCC advocates for innovative, systemic solutions that promote environmental wellbeing and economic, racial and gender equity.
ReWild Native Gardens LLC
Go Wild, Plant Native! ReWild creates garden spaces that beautify your yard while also supporting a myriad of important native pollinator and bird species. Gardens that utilize native plants (and wildlife-friendly practices) not only provide nectar and pollen but also act as hosts for butterflies and bees - giving them support for their entire life cycle. Your yard and garden can do more for you, and more for the environment.
When it rains, water that falls on the landscape drains toward a waterbody. This area of land is the body’s watershed. Anything that happens within a watershed impacts the lake, creek, wetland, pond, or aquifer it feeds. Watershed districts are charged with protecting and improving our communities’ water resources. Districts partner with local communities to identify top priorities and plan, implement, and manage efforts which protect and improve local water resources. They educate and engage residents, and the work they undertake benefits the quality and quantity of water in local as well as downstream watersheds and communities.
The Pollinator Ambassadors program is designed to engage new audiences to learn about pollinators and become empowered to teach others. Pollinator Ambassadors receive training and/or materials from experts to spread the word and lead more people to actions to help pollinators.
Wild Ones Prairie Edge
Promoting environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the conservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.
Wild Ones Twin Cities
The Twin Cities Chapter of Wild Ones was chartered in 2001 and is one of several chapters in Minnesota. As we have grown, so has our network of native plant enthusiasts, gardeners, landscapers, nurseries and institutions who support our mission of educating the public about the benefits of preserving and restoring biodiversity of our native plant communities, beginning in our own yards and gardens.
Wild Nature Children's Activities
Naturalists and other volunteers will help your family create leaf rubbings, colorful butterflies, and enjoy critter balloon creations.
Wood Lake Nature Center is a 150-acre natural area dedicated to environmental education, wildlife observation, and outdoor recreation. The center’s staff offices are located in a 4,000-square-foot main building, which features many educational exhibits. The park also features several wildlife viewing areas, a 100-seat amphitheater, a picnic ground, and three miles of trails and boardwalks. The trails are either blacktop or crushed limestone and most are wheelchair accessible during summer months. To preserve the natural habitat, no pets, bikes, or rollerblades are allowed.
Xerces Society
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.
Our name (which is pronounced Zer-sees, or /ˈzɚˌsiz/) comes from the now-extinct Xerces blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche xerces), the first butterfly known to go extinct in North America as a result of human activities. The Xerces blue's habitat was destroyed by development in the sand dunes of San Francisco, and the species was declared extinct by the 1940s.
