Events

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January 2016

Jan
6

Growing Your Soil with Composting

This event has ended
Wednesday, January 6th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Rd, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

We will watch two short videos about soil improvement and composting, followed by a discussion of tips and techniques; presented by Rob Maxwell, Mid-Mitten Chapter President. Meeting held at the Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Road, Midland, MI

February 2016

Feb
3

Ferns ? Fiddleheads and Fronds

This event has ended
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Rd, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

Learn to recognize ferns as they sprout up as fiddle heads and unfurl their leafy fronds.? Thriving in shady woods, you can grow them in your gardens; presented by Interpretive Naturalist Jeanne Henderson.

Feb
20

Dow Gardens Know and Grow Seminar

This event has ended
Saturday, February 20th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Bullock Creek High School, 1420 S. Badour Rd, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

The seminar is held at Bullock Creek High School from 8 am until 3 pm. The Mid-Mitten Chapter has a table display during this seminar. Volunteers are needed to man the table. If you would like to help for a couple of hours please contact Karol Walker at [email protected].

Feb
28

Small House Farms Seed Swap

This event has ended
Sunday, February 28th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Creative 360, 1517 Bayliss St, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

Small House Farms is teaming up with Creative 360's Community Garden to bring you their second annual Seed Swap! This is the perfect chance to share your extra seeds and take home a few new ones to plant this spring. We'll also have a number of speakers to discuss the importance of seed saving as well as share a variety of simple techniques to save your own seeds at home.
This event is open to everyone; from the seasoned heirloom seed collector to those just entering the world of gardening. Just bring yourself, some seeds, and some small baggies to take your new goodies home.?Mid-Mitten will have a table at this event.

March 2016

Mar
2

Phenology

This event has ended
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Rd, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

We know that Michigan?s weather is always changing, which means our four seasons are never consistent from year to year.? With this inconsistency we cannot predict biological events utilizing the common Gregorian calendar.? Phenology is the use of a biological calendar that will help us better determine the timing of pest control of insects and diseases.? Chuck Martin, Dow Gardens senior horticulturist, presents this program, saying ?the use of phenology is as old as human history but is as innovative as a self-driven car.?

April 2016

Apr
6

The Basics of Propagation

This event has ended
Wednesday, April 6th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Rd, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

We will review the basics of plant propagation and then cover the specifics of some of our native plants. Learn how to increase your plants for your own garden or to share with family and friends;?presented by Rob Maxwell, Mid-Mitten Chapter President. Meeting held at the Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Road, Midland, MI.

Apr
16

Midland Center for the Arts Earth Day

This event has ended
Saturday, April 16th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Midland Center for the Arts, 1804 St. Andrews, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

The theme for this year?s event, sponsored by Midland Center for the Arts,? Midland Recyclers and the American Chemical Society, is?The Great Indoors - The Home Ecosystem.?Mid-Mitten will have a booth at this event again this year.

May 2016

May
4

A Wildflower Big Year

This event has ended
Wednesday, May 4th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Rd, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

Michael LeValley?set out on a ?Big Year? search to photograph as many wildflowers as he could find in one growing season in Mt. Pleasant?s park system.? LeValley is the Education Coordinator for the Isabella Conservation District, a member of Chippewa Valley Audubon Society, and the Mid-Mitten chapter of Wild Ones. Meeting held at Chippewa Nature Center, Midland.

June 2016

Jun
1

Rain Gardens

This event has ended
Wednesday, June 1st, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Little Forks Conservancy, 105 Post St, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

Take a tour of The Little Forks Conservancy?s rain garden at 105 Post Street in Midland. Conservation Outreach Coordinator Andrea Foster will talk about creating a rain garden from the planning stages to the construction and beyond. She will also discuss the best native plants to put in rain gardens and how to decide if a rain garden is right for you. ?Meet at the LFC site at 6:30 pm.? The public is welcome.

July 2016

Jul
6

Pine River Park on 7 Mile Rd

This event has ended
Wednesday, July 6th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Rd, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

Join Randy Kursinsky to hike Pine River Park, a little known park owned by the city of Midland. The site has several shallow ponds and an approximately 1 mile loop trail built in the woods. Few, if any, invasive species are present. We will look for native wildflowers, plants and wildlife in the woods, meadows, and wetlands of this wetland mitigation property. This park also includes a Great Blue Heron rookery. The property is 1 mile south of Brooks Rd. on S. 7 Mile Road, one mile west of Meridian Road. Meet at CNC at 6:15 to carpool over to the park, as parking is limited at the park.

August 2016

Aug
3

Shrubs and Vines

This event has ended
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Rd, Midland, MI, 48640 Map

Shrubs and vines make up an integral portion of native ecosystems and provide shelter and food for wildlife.? Learn identification tips with Jeanne Henderson on this walk through CNC property. Meeting held at Chippewa Nature Center, meet at the front entrance of the Visitor Center.

Mid-Mitten 2022 Calendar

Second Monday of the month 6:30-8:00 PM at Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Road, Midland – unless noted

Jan. 10  Nature Journaling

A journal is a wonderful way to interact with your world. Journaling allows you to capture the essence of your days and to revisit them in the future. But you don’t have to love to write to journal. We will explore ways to capture your experiences in nature in unique and fun ways. Laura J. Volsejpka, scientist/artist and director of Creative 360 in Midland will provide the books and the tools – you provide the experience and imagination!

Feb. 14  City Versus Invasives

Stephanie Richardson, City of Midland Horticulturist, will describe what the city has been doing regarding invasive species management on city lands and the reestablishment of natives in various areas, along with future plans. Since 2007  Stephanie has enjoyed helping people connect with nature in an urban environment, and enhancing the quality of life for Midland residents and visitors.

Mar. 14  Saving Seeds and the Michigan Seed Library Network

Learn how you can find a variety of heirloom and modern seeds for planting this spring at local seed libraries. Bevin Cohen of Small House Farm explains how he facilitated the establishment of seed libraries throughout Michigan, and shares some stories about the seeds and the people who grow them. He will also have books for sale.

Apr. 11  How to Prune Trees and Shrubs the Right Way

Learn from Chuck Martin, grounds manager and senior horticulturist at Whiting Forest of Dow gardens, how to properly prune branches without negatively impacting the health of trees and shrubs. This meeting will take place on Chuck’s property and feature pruning demonstrations.  Register by emailing [email protected] to receive the address.

May 9  Native American Uses of Native Plants

Native Americans living in this region prior to European settlement depended on a variety of plants to meet their needs for food, medicine and shelter. Join CNC’s Historical Interpreter Corrine Bloomfield for a casual trail walk to learn more about these valuable resources. This program will be held inside the Visitor Center if inclement weather.