Wild Ones sows native landscapes – and hope – in Eden Prairie

Founded in Wisconsin in 1979, Wild Ones is a nonprofit educational organization with a mission to promote native landscapes and biodiversity. More than 100 local chapters are now spread across the United States, including several in the Twin Cities area.

The Prairie Edge chapter serves the southern and western Minneapolis area, including Eden Prairie.

The chapters sow hope for a healthy planet through free monthly presentations, in-season garden tours and native plant sales.

Otto, considered a pioneer in native landscaping, envisioned healthy cities and suburbs through native plants more than 50 years ago. 

And according to Marilynn Torkelson, Wild Ones Prairie Edge chapter president, “The stakes are even higher now.”

The good news is that “native plant landscapes can support biodiversity, mitigate climate change and make our communities more resilient in the face of challenges to come,” she said.

Wild Ones connects people and native plants to fulfill their vision of thriving natural landscapes in every community.

Finding their path in native landscapes

Torkelson began her own journey with native landscaping in her Eden Prairie yard in 2010. “I was a traditional gardener and took a rain gardening class because I wanted to learn about a new type of gardening,” she recalled.

She set out to gain a new skill and received a new education. In her class, she learned about native plants being crowded out by invasive species. 

She also learned about the 70% decline in insects. Some refer to it as “death by a thousand cuts,” said Torkelson. Droughts, fires and global warming are just a few of the modern hazards for insects.

“It is difficult for those pollinators trying to find native plants or for birds to find the insects that feed on the native plants,” said Torkelson. “These insects are an essential source of food for birds.”

Because of the many ecological services insects perform, the well-being of insects is closely connected to our own. E.O. Wilson, a famous entomologist, is often quoted as saying that “Insects are the little things that run the world.”

With a new garden and a new mindset, Torkelson and her husband, Tom, decided to convert the rest of their yard to a native landscape.

They have been “gardening for life,” as Torkelson says, ever since – creating a pollinator-friendly haven for insects, birds and butterflies.

Within a couple of years of planting her native garden, the endangered rusty patched bumble bee made an appearance in her yard. The viburnum in her rain garden hosts 84 species of butterflies and moths and provides edible berries.

Humans, too, appreciate their efforts. In 2016, the Torkelsons received the Spirit of Eden Prairie Award, now known as the Sustainable Eden Prairie Award. The award recognizes investments in property that enhance the community’s growth, sustainability and quality of life.

The upside of going wild

Wild Ones exists to help people who aspire to any level of “wildness” in their yards.

One thing is to “rethink the lawn, which has a high ecological cost,” said Torkelson. 

Turf grass is the largest irrigated crop in the United States, covering more than 40 million acres. Maintaining that much turf grass requires nearly 800 million gallons of gasoline annually, contributing to an estimated 20 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Additionally, homeowners spend $60 billion annually to water, fertilize and mow their lawns. The average homeowner’s summer water use jumps from 260 gallons to 1,000 gallons. 

“Wouldn’t you rather plant a prairie and listen to the birds sing than push around your lawn mower?” asked Torkelson.

Turf grass, nicknamed “green concrete,” has a shallow root system and becomes heavily compacted. In contrast, the deep roots of native plants can reach up to 16 feet.

“Those roots turn hard dirt into spongy soil full of water, life, nutrients and carbon, using photosynthesis,” said Torkelson.

Once native plants are established, they do not require supplemental water or chemical fertilizers. The microbes contained in healthy soil supply native plants with all the necessary nutrients and disease resistance they need. 

“We don’t water, and we hardly water our turf grass, either,” Torkelson said. “The plants can withstand severe drought. After all, they’ve been around for thousands of years.” 

Native plants also support biodiversity, which is crucial to maintaining clean air and water.

“Native plants are the only source of food for 90% of herbivore insects,” said Torkelson. “They can only eat plants they have co-evolved with. For example, monarch caterpillars can only digest milkweed. So without milkweed we would not have the beautiful monarch butterfly.” 

Small changes, big impact

Native plants can be added to traditionally landscaped yards to benefit the environment without breaking the budget.

Even small 100-square-foot plots of carefully chosen native plants can make a difference and be budget-friendly.

Though different from traditional gardens, which typically employ exotic plants from all over the world, “native gardens are still beautiful,” said Torkelson. “And they also provide a lot of function.”

Grants can also ease budget constraints for homeowners interested in installing native landscapes, whether large or small. The Torkelsons received grants three years in a row from the Eden Prairie Landscaping for Water Quality program.

The Minnesota Lawns to Legumes program provides refunds for purchased native plants with an easy online application process. Larger grants are also available from cities, counties and watershed districts with a more involved application process.

View from the wild side

Since converting their lawn to a native landscape, the Torkelsons now spend less time working and more time enjoying their property.

Mowing their turf walkways takes a fraction of the time it used to when they had an entire yard to mow. “We do not miss mowing turf grass,” she said with a laugh. 

They no longer need to buy fertilizers or pesticides. “We don’t need to use pesticides because it is a perfect web of food,” she said. “If pests become more abundant, there is more food for the things that eat those pests. If we are always killing off pests or spraying with something harmful, we have killed off the solution as well as the problem, and pests become more resistant.”

“It just brings enjoyment,” said Torkelson. “It brings back so many memories to see daddy longlegs, or a big bright black and yellow garden spider again.” 

It is also rewarding to bring beauty and joy to her and her neighborhood. “We have gotten so many compliments from neighbors,” she said. “At Halloween, adults who have come to the door tell me how much they enjoy walking past our yard. And one showed me all the photos she took of butterflies in our yard.” 

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