Seminars
Click here for our Schedule of Events

Daniel Dix is recognized as an informative and entertaining speaker.  His seminars include slides and video presentations as well as varied personal experiences.

Putting strong emphasis on working with nature in all his company’s projects, he has a unique perspective on land use and environmental issues. His diverse undertakings include Therapeutic, Water, and Oriental Gardens, as well as wetland restoration, erosion and flood control. Having also been a professional logger during the 1980’s, he has the ability to evaluate and share distinct observations, understandings and perceptions in the conservation and landscape fields.


Recognized as a leader in the field of natural landscaping, Daniel was contracted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as an instructor for the state sponsored "Landscaping for Wildlife" educational series in 2000.

Besides managing his landscape business,
Daniel is a published author, photographer, and a lecturer. He encourages environmentally friendly construction, research to expand more effective landscape practices, and the need for everyone to strengthen their ties to the earth.


Daniel's classes can also be customized to a particular interest group.
Past audiences include:
  • The Minnesota Landscape and Nursery Association
  • The Minnesota Association of Urban Planners
  • The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
  • The Mid America Horticultural Association
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Many Garden Clubs
  • Community Education all over Minnesota & Wisconsin
  • St. Paul Home and Patio Show (annual)
  • Minneapolis Home Show (annual)
Subjects of Daniel's classes include the following:Speaking References:

Creating a Garden Sanctuary-A Place of Refuge in a Chaotic World

Water Gardens-Savor the Beauty, Avoid the Pitfalls

Natural Landscaping-Healing the Earth and Ourselves

Turning Lawn into Garden

Therapeutic Gardens in Health Care Facilities-
     Fulfilling a Need, Meeting the Challenge

Stonescaping-The Building Blocks of Your Landscape
 
Everything I Ever Needed to Know, I learned in a Garden

Costa Rica: The Place to Visit, The Place to Live


Mary Meyer
University of Minnesota
(612) 624-3665

Shirley Van Kooyman
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
(952) 443-1400

Eve Komosa
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Madison, Wisconsin
(608) 246-4725
Letter of reference from Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin - April 15, 2005

Dear Daniel:

Thank you for presenting your three natural and water gardening programs at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.  We were so pleased to have you share your knowledge and inspiration with Olbrich's audience.  Your talks were well received and we look forward to having you again!

Best Regards,
Eve J. Komosa, Director of Educaiton


Schedule of Events

Water Gardening - Savor the Beauty, Avoid the Pitfalls
Instructor: Daniel Dix

Thursday, March 25, 2010   6:30 PM
Location: Pequot Lakes Community Education in Pequot Lakes, MN - Call Community Ed Office for more information 218-568-9200

Have you ever entertained thoughts of a water garden but didn't quite know how to install and maintain one? A tranquil pool or splashing waterfall could be the centerpiece of your garden space. Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens is very familiar with the do's and don'ts, and safety issues that come with water gardens. Get tips on how to make your yard a haven for wildlife, and your water garden an intrinsic part of your landscape.

3 Classes in 1 location March 27, 2010:
1)  Creating a Garden Sanctuary
2)  Creating a Garden Sanctuary
3)  Natural Landscaping

Instructor: Daniel Dix

Saturday, March 27, 2010
Location:  Underwood Minnesota's Garden Day - For more information 218-736-6512  or  218-998-8760. Call ahead for class location and time

Creating a Garden Sanctuary:
In an increasingly chaotic world, both people and animals need a place of peace and tranquility. A place where flowing water, graceful fish, stone and flora provide a sanctuary where the mind and spirit can be refreshed. In an educational and entertaining slide program, Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens will develop this theme. Concepts easily translate to any setting or situation, but specific questions for particular applications are welcome.

Natural Landscaping:
Join Daniel Dix, landscape designer/installer, in his slide presentation illustrating and showing many common mistakes and misconceptions involving landscaping construction and some popular gardening styles of today.  Many of these “styles” can cause large amounts of damage to our most valuable resources - the water, soil, air and even ourselves.
No matter if we live on a lake or not, our actions can add to the serious erosion and water quality problems or improve them. Daniel will highlight the latest technological advances and best landscape practices that are both beautiful as well as effective in preventing damage and/or help reverse the injury and the benefits thereof. 
 

Water Gardens
Instructor: Daniel Dix

Monday  March 29, 2010   6:30 PM
Location: Sauk Center, Minnesota Community Education in Sauk Center, MN - Call Community Ed Office for more information 320-258-1570

Have you ever entertained thoughts of a water garden but didn't quite know how to install and maintain one? A tranquil pool or splashing waterfall could be the centerpiece of your garden space. Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens is very familiar with the do's and don'ts, and safety issues that come with water gardens. Get tips on how to make your yard a haven for wildlife, and your water garden an intrinsic part of your landscape.


2 Classes in 1 location April 10, 2010
1)  Creating a Garden of Serenity
2)  Water Gardens
Instructor:  Daniel Dix

Saturday, April 10, 2010
Location: Big Lake Minnesota, Big Lake Garden Expo - Call for more information 320-253-6720


In an increasingly chaotic world we are seeking a place where we can escape from the heavy pressure of day-to-day life and enjoy peace and tranquility. A place where flowing water, graceful fish, well-positioned stone, and flora provide a sanctuary in which mind and spirit can be restored and refreshed.

All too often landscapes designed and installed today, although perhaps offering low maintenance and sustainability, lack warmth, coherence, and originality.

In his slide program Daniel Dix of Wood Spirit Gardens, a landscape design/installer headquartered in Backus, Minnesota will discuss and demonstrate proper installation and complementary arrangements of landscape features such as water gardens, statuary, paths, and seating.  Thereby helping everyone to design, install and maintain what is sorely needed by all….   a Garden Sanctuary.


Costa Rica:  A Place to Visit, A Place to Live    
Instructor: Daniel Dix

Monday, April 12, 2010    6:30 PM
Location: Brainerd Community Ed, Brainerd, MN - Call for more info (218)822-6900

What comes to your mind when you think of Costa Rica? Beautiful beaches, deep and dark jungles, a cloud forest, tropical flowers, cascading water falls, active volcanoes, or crystal clear blue oceans?

Perhaps you have heard about the friendly and lively Latino culture centered there and want to experience it for yourself.
Perhaps you are looking for some place to retire, to start a business, an investment opportunity, a place to escape to, or just a vacation hot spot.

You owe it to yourself to investigate Costa Rica as the place to visit or maybe the place to live. Join Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens as he shares his experiences of vacationing, living, and working in Costa Rica. He has spent over three months there recently and has many experiences and insights to share.
He is so convinced that Costa Rica is a place of promise and relaxation that he started a corporation there, thereby expanding his working season for his landscape business and is looking forward to retiring there.

Through a slide program as well as handouts with pertinent information and contacts, he will be able to answer your questions with first hand experience and information as well as direct you to other sources to access.
So, as another cold and dark winter approaches, please join Daniel for a trip to sunny and warm Costa Rica, A Place to Visit, A Place to Live.

Water Gardens
Instructor: Daniel Dix

Thursday, April 15, 2010    6:30 PM
Location: Brainerd Community Ed, Brainerd, MN - 
Call for more information (218)822-6900

Have you ever entertained thoughts of a water garden but didn't quite know how to install and maintain one? A tranquil pool or splashing waterfall could be the centerpiece of your garden space. Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens is very familiar with the do's and don'ts, and safety issues that come with water gardens. Get tips on how to make your yard a haven for wildlife, and your water garden an intrinsic part of your landscape.

Water Gardens
Instructor: Daniel Dix

Saturday, April 17, 2010
Location: 8th District Horticultural Meeting in Duluth MN - 
Call ahead for class location and time (218)525-4133

Have you ever entertained thoughts of a water garden but didn't quite know how to install and maintain one? A tranquil pool or splashing waterfall could be the centerpiece of your garden space. Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens is very familiar with the do's and don'ts, and safety issues that come with water gardens. Get tips on how to make your yard a haven for wildlife, and your water garden an intrinsic part of your landscape.

2 Clases in 1 location - April 24, 2010
1)  Everything I Ever Needed to Know, I learned in a Garden
2)  Stonescaping
Instructor: Daniel Dix

Saturday, April 24, 2010
Location: Gardens of the Fox Cities, Appleton Wisconsin - Call ahead for class location and time (920)993-1900

Life in the modern world has more diversions and entertainment then ever before, from intense video games to high powered speed boats.  However, along with these, comes more stress, expense, and problems.  We are also faced with perplexing challenges, moral questions, and a continual flow of depressing news from around the world.  In this entertaining and educational slide program, Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens will illustrate how we can gain equilibrium, peace, and true recreation in the place where mankind began - in a well designed, installed, and maintained....garden.

 

Stonescaping:
Stone, sometimes called the 'bones' of a garden is as vital in a beautiful backyard paradise as the bones in our bodies or timbers in a fine home. All too often however, stone is over-used, ill placed, or improperly selected for a particular setting. Learn how to build the stone 'skeleton' of your garden in its many forms, including stone fences, so it complements your plantings, your home, and your heart.  The class is conducted by Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens, a Minnesota based landscape company that custom designs and implements every project with the homeowner and in harmony with the earth in mind. See samples of our work and our philosophy here on our website.

 

Stonescaping:  The Building Blocks of your Landscape
Instructor: Daniel Dix

Saturday, June 26, 2010    10:00 AM
Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen, MN

Stone, sometimes called the 'bones' of a garden is as vital in a beautiful backyard paradise as the bones in our bodies or timbers in a fine home. All too often however, stone is over-used, ill placed, or improperly selected for a particular setting. Learn how to build the stone 'skeleton' of your garden in its many forms, including stone fences, so it complements your plantings, your home, and your heart. The class is conducted by Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens, a Minnesota based landscape company that custom designs and implements every project with the homeowner and in harmony with the earth in mind. See samples of their work and their philosophy at this website.


Contact Dan for more information - Click this link to E-mail us:  Contact Us

                    162 State Highway 371 NW  |  Backus, Minnesota 56435  |  218-947-3663  -  888-947-2414   
http://www.woodspiritgardens.com