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Dan Olson
MINNEAPOLIS

Minnesota Sounds and Voices: Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary

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Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Clockwise from left, Bee Balm, Culver's Root, Buttonbush and Turk's Cap Lilies bloom at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis, Minn. Friday, July 7, 2012. The 15-acre garden, which opened in 1907, features over 500 plant species and 130 bird species.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Tucked away in Wirth Park on the western edge of Minneapolis, the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary's 15 acres is a small slice of woodland, bog and prairie respite from city life.

The preserve takes its name from Butler, who taught biology and botany at the old Minneapolis Central High School. She founded the park in 1907, when it was known as the Wild Botanic Garden, it's now home to more than 500 plant and 130 bird species.

Minnesota Sounds and Voices reporter Dan Olson recently spent some time at the sanctuary and spoke with volunteers to learn more about its history, and why it attracts more than 60,000 visitors a year.

Click on the audio link above to hear more.

Gallery
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Turks Cap Lilies
Turks Cap Lilies bloom Friday, July 7, 2012, at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis, Minn. The 15-acre garden, which opened in 1907, features over 500 plant species and 130 bird species.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson
1 of 8
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Clockwise from left, Bee Balm, Culver's Root, Buttonbush and Turk's Cap Lilies bloom at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis, Minn. Friday, July 7, 2012. The 15-acre garden, which opened in 1907, features over 500 plant species and 130 bird species.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson
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Prairie hike
Larry Kennebeck hikes through the prairie area Friday, July 7, 2012, at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis, Minn. The 15-acre garden, which opened in 1907, features over 500 plant species and 130 bird species.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson