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Project Summary a Goal Restore native woodland wildflowers in Roseville's Harriet Alexander Nature Center. Project History Fifty years ago, wildflowers were abundant and filled the woods with their beauty. Exploring for there was a favorite early spring pastime as Bloodroot, Spring Beauty, Dutchman's Breeches and lusts of others, burst forth Prom their woodland carpet as the snow melted. Today our woods are devoid of wildflowers and generations of children are growing up without ever experiencing the beauty and excitement spring wildflowers can bring. This project seeks to repopulate a wooded section of the Harriet Alexander Nature Center in Roseville's Central Park with native wildflowers. The project began in 1 995 by Paul Partridge as a living memorial to his wife. A wooded area approximately 75 x 150 feet was cleared of brush and invasive plants. The sail was tested and found to be a neutral sandy loam. Leaf compost was added to increase the soils organic matter and fertility, and in the past 4 years, over 900 native woodland wildflowers and ferns have been planted. aA split rail fence has been constructed along the major park trail to define the wildflower garden area, and wood chip paths run through the garden area to provide close viewing of the plants+ A park bench was added for quiet contemplation, and permanent flower markers were installed along the trails identifying plants with both common and scientific names. Project Proposal This proposal is to continue with the devclopment of the woodland restoration project following similar procedures as defuned above. The proposed improvements will double the physical size of the wildflower garden. More than 2000 wildflowers will be planted., which will triple the number of flowers in the garden and dramatically increase its visual impact. The availability of D R funds provides a more rapid development of this proposal. Last year on Mothers Day there were eleven different types of flowers blooming in the wildflower garden. Next year we could have twice that number, and the year after that, enough blooms to cover the hillside creating a showplace of color and beauty. In addition to its aesthetic value, the wildflower garden serves the educational needs of the community as well. The Nature Center naturalists will utilize this new resource for their field trips with grade school students. Last year, a high school biology teacher and a university professor brought in their students to show the growth and reproduction of a native plant community. As the garden grows, `it attracts more and more visitors. with funding assistance from the DNR, we will all reap a harvest of beauty for generations to come. 2