In Conversation with Alex Wegrzyn, Learning Landscape Gardener

Red-winged blackbirds screeching from the willows, bumblebees droning by, weighed down with pollen, and the damp scent of gurgling pond muck. This is the Bell Museum’s Learning Landscape, which bursts to life every spring and blossoms throughout the warmer months, hosting summer campers equipped with magnifying glasses, neighborhood dog walkers, and educational programs.

 

Hugging the museum on three out of four sides, the Learning Landscape is a five acre mosaic of wildflowers, native trees, and carefully engineered hydrology. But how does it stay so beautiful? Is nature herself tending the landscape?

In some ways, yes: the Learning Landscape is planted entirely with native vegetation, which requires comparatively little maintenance. But nature has an accomplice. Enter Alex Wegrzyn, Natural Areas Gardener. Alex has been managing the Learning Landscape for the past four years, walking a careful line between human intervention and wildness. I met Alex on an overcast morning by the Bell Museum’s entrance. Tall, red-bearded, with a smile crinkled by the sun, Alex has a reverence for this pocket of life, born out of the countless hours he’s spent planting, transplanting, weeding, and watching a host of wildlife make homes near the museum. What follows are a few of his many insights, edited and condensed for clarity. 

 

Hugh: Since you’ve started working, what are some of the biggest challenges for managing the landscape?

Alex: We’ve really learned the importance of irrigation and water, and the effect of drought on a natural area. So often it is said that a natural area is drought-resistant, but that’s really only once it’s established. I think we’ve learned what species thrive in these conditions, and thinking forward, what will continue to thrive as we work to diversify the landscape. A big challenge is invasive species — invasive species seeds are in the soil. 

 

Hugh: Is there an invasive species that’s the most problematic? 

Alex: I like to point out thistle. Culturally, it’s something that a lot of people have a negative perception towards. It’s spiky and not fun to pull. But also, bees really love the flowers. There was a time out here when I went to remove thistle, and I noticed that there were goldfinches eating the seeds on it. It’s that constant balance between how an invasive species is harmful to a natural area, but then recognizing that there can be wildlife that really benefit from it.

Crown vetch is probably the most aggressive and problematic species, and there’s also another species called birdsfoot trefoil. Both species can grow dense mats that choke out native species, but again, pollinators really seem to like them. 

 

Hugh: What’s a typical day like on the learning landscape?

Alex: I usually show up on site around 7:15 am. The first thing I do is walk the site; I’m usually picking up litter, seeing if there’s any major issues that need to be managed right away. I look for the invasive species that are flowering or going to seed, and the species starting to crowd out native species. Right now, I’m looking at that tall grass with a seedhead on it. That’s foxtail, an invasive grass. But importantly, it’s an annual species. If I go in there right now and pull that grass, it shouldn’t be an issue next year. That frees up space for other species that could be growing alongside or underneath the foxtail. I do a lot of hand-weeding, but I’ll also mow the lawn areas as well. 

 

Hugh: How do you feel after a hard days’ work out here?

Alex: Deep satisfaction. I’m so grateful that my work is impactful. There’s absolutely the visitor element: people being able to see, interact with, and enjoy the landscape. I think for me much of my engagement is thinking about wildlife that really interact with this space. Everytime I see a new species, or a coyote or a deer walking through this landscape, it ties home why this is here, and the importance of this work in this area.

 

Hugh: What are your favorite wildlife sightings?

Alex: I’ve been out here at 6:15 am and seen coyotes run across the soccer field. I’ve seen deer close to the building, looking at themselves in the windows. The past few weeks I’ve been seeing a little hummingbird flittering in the Learning Landscape, and I’ve never seen a hummingbird here before. It’s so awesome to see seasons in one place — to be able to see this place grow, physically and metaphorically. I’ve seen plants and animals that have brought me to tears, because they’re just living their lives here. The Learning Landscape is really an oasis for wildlife — and for people.

 

Hugh: What are some changes people may notice if they are visiting the Learning Landscape?

Alex: There used to be more trees. You can see old stumps where some things have come down. Something I would like to get going is planting trees on the Learning Landscape. Some areas are treated with herbicide. What’s ultimately going to happen with those areas is that I’m going to transplant native plants there. Something people might have noticed is that I have been transplanting large big bluestem patches off of the sidewalk and transplanting those to more appropriate areas. There was also recently a cattail removal project in the pond that involved the Finlay lab on campus, as well as Bell staff. It was nice to have some help!

 

Before Alex and I wrapped up our conversation, we were distracted by a visitor to the Learning Landscape. It was Larry, a neighbor, walking a small dog named Daisy. 

“We come here every day,” Larry said. “This is our backyard. It’s just a wonderful place — what can I say? It’s thanks to [Alex]. Daisy, in particular, is very happy.”

Alex smiled, abashed by the compliment. “Have you seen the hummingbird at all?”

“I haven’t quite caught him or her. I guess I have to spend more time here,” Larry said with a chuckle. 

Surrounded by a hum of Minnesotan wildlife, the bustle of the city a world away, I had to agree with Larry. Thanks to Alex’s work, there is always something new to notice on the Bell’s Learning Landscape. Come by and see for yourself!