You don’t have to go far in Minneapolis to find a quiet retreat. The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary is the oldest public wildflower garden in the country.
Eloise Butler was among other botany teachers who petitioned the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board in 1907 to protect local flora in the growing city.
The Wild Botanic Garden opened on April 27, 1907 to protect three acres of bog, meadow and hillside gardens. Now 15 acres, it is home to over 500 plant species and 130 bird species.
A gem in the city, they offer classes and volunteer opportunities – or just a quick retreat into nature on busy day. But if you want to get the most out of your escape, don’t forget your bug repellent.
[…] visits to the Eloise Butler Wildflower and Bird Sanctuary this summer had me wondering, who was Eloise Butler? It turned out that Eloise was originally from […]