Wild River State Park will once again host herbalist/educator Teresa Wolfe at the park’s visitor center at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 2, for an explanation and hands-on program covering historical uses of common plants for medicine. There will be a two dollar per person charge for the program for materials.

As European and eastern U. S. immigrants traveled to the St. Croix Valley to trade or to farm, they brought Old World plants with them as a source of medicine as they traveled into unknown territory. Today, many of these plants are familiar lawn, field and roadside weeds. Eco-Herbalist Teresa Wolfe uses fascinating and intriguing stories to describe various historical medicinal, edible and other uses of these plants to helps us understand how they arrived in our area. Each participating family will make an herbal medicinal salve traditionally used for insect bites and stings.

All of the other programs during the weekend are free of charge. Entry to Wild River State Park requires a Minnesota State Park vehicle permit. Daily permits are available at the park for $5. or you can purchase a 12-month permit good in all Minnesota State Parks for $25.

Wild River State Park program schedule for August 1-3:

Friday, August 1 9 p.m. at the visitor center. Astronomy. Join guest astronomer Kenny Bahmer for a short indoor presentation, then drive to the campground amphitheater for a short walk into the prairie to our stargazing site. You’ll be able to get a live view of the night sky’s features through a 10” telescope. Bring flashlights, lawn chairs or a blanket, and binoculars if you have them. Sponsored by Friends of Wild River State Park.

Saturday, August 2 10-11:30 a.m. beginning at the visitor center. Wildflowers of the 1850s on the Old Military Road When Army engineers built the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road across Amador Prairie in 1853-54, they probably didn’t stop to smell the wildflowers. Now the route of the road once again crosses a prairie, restored on farm land purchased to create Wild River State Park. Explore a mile-long part of the route within the park. Prepare for walking on trails, roads, hills, tall-grass areas, and brushy woods. Sturdy shoes and protection from bugs and ticks are recommended. Global Positioning System (GPS) techniques will be used to follow the route where farming and restoration activities have hidden the road.

FRIENDS OF WILD RIVER STATE PARK GUEST PRESENTER Saturday, August 2 2 p.m. at the visitor center. 2 to 4 p.m. Historical Herbs For Health

Join herbalist/educator Teresa Wolfe as she shares fascinating facts about historical medicinal, edible, and other uses of wild plants in Minnesota. Learn how to recognize some of the plants you’re likely to see. Each participant will make an herbal medicinal salve traditionally used for insect bites and stings. Meet at visitor center. Registration fee required: two dollars, payable at the program. Call (651) 583-2925 for details.

Saturday, August 2 7:30 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. Guest Program by St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Ranger. An entertaining and informative talk with some possible audience interaction, topic to be announced.

Sunday, August 3 11 a.m. at the visitor center. Slithery Snakes! Are snakes slithery, sneaky, and slimy? Or are they cool, quiet, and cautious? Learn about the snakes found in this park, see live examples (Ripley, a 5 3/4 foot bull snake, and Winnie the garter snake), and touch - if you dare - a representative of this fascinating group of animals. Feeding time is after the program, for those who want to watch.

Coming soon: Saturday, August 9 2 p.m. at the visitor center. Tools From Stone, Archaeology, and Atlatl Throwing. See a demonstration of the techniques needed to make an arrowhead or spear point from stone; learn the importance of preserving the record of what life was like in the distant past, as revealed by human-made artifacts; and see if you can equal the performance of ancient hunters who brought down game animals with throwing spears called atlatls. You may be surprised at how far you can throw a spear using Stone Age technology. Our guest presenter is Rod Johnson from the Minnesota Archaeological Society.

August 8 and 9, 9 p.m., Astronomy and Perseid Meteor Shower Watch with quest astronomer Steve Tonsfeldt.

Wild River State Park is located 3 miles north of Minnesota Highway 95 at Almelund, halfway between Taylors Falls and North Branch. For park information, call (651) 583-2125 or visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/wild_river/index.html. For naturalist program information call (651) 583-2925.