Events

Take an afternoon walk in the fresh winter air to discover trees. Learn to recognize characteristics that help you identify woody species especially those without leaves. Meet Jeanne Henderson, Mid-Mitten president, at Chippewa Nature Center’s Arboretum near the Homestead entrance. We will social distance.

During this online indoor program you will learn to recognize characteristics that help you identify woody species, especially those without leaves. Presented by Jeanne Henderson; there will be time for Q & A and chapter news update. To receive the link for this online program, email  [email protected].

WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY FOR THIS PROGRAM AS OF 1-31-2021, SO CANNOT ACCEPT ANY MORE REGISTRATIONS. THANK YOU.

Brenda Dziedzic describes the native plants that butterflies and moths depend on. She emphasizes what we can do by creating habitat for them, no matter what size area you have. Brenda will also cover how to raise caterpillars safely and responsibly.  Brenda is a master gardener and author of butterfly books. To receive the link for this online program, send an email by Feb 7 to [email protected]

Brenda is an advanced master gardener, a co-founder of the Southeast Michigan Butterfly Association, and an author of  Raising Butterflies in the Garden.  She is a Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist who has visited the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico. She has presented programs at the Wildflower Association of Michigan conferences and many local clubs.

So often we take our natural environment  for granted without thinking about the many benefits that it supplies.  Be surprised by the economic, emotional, physical health, and ecological benefits of planting a tree in your yard. Chuck Martin, Senior Horticulturist and Grounds Manager at Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens in Midland, MI will discuss why planting trees is essential to our society’s well-being.  To register for this online program, send an email by March 1 to [email protected]. 

Chuck Martin stands next to a champion Birch tree.

Chuck Martin has worked as a Horticulturist at Dow Gardens since 1984. In 2017 he was offered the position of Whiting Forest Grounds Manager. His areas of expertise include: Woody Plants, Perennials, Rose Care and Culture, Native Plants of Michigan, Vines, Invasive Plants, Ground Maintenance, and Pruning. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. During his time at the University of Wisconsin, Chuck was selected to do an internship at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts.  To continue his education, Chuck earned an MBA from Northwood University.  Chuck also serves as a Garden Journalist for the Midland Daily News. Through his numerous lectures and presentations, many schools, gardening clubs and civic groups have been enriched by his passion and enthusiasm for his work in horticulture.

The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust that preserves land across five central Michigan counties.  The CWC's mission is to protect and restore Central Michigan's land, water, and wildlife resources to improve the quality of life for all.  This presentation by Mike Levalley, executive director, will focus on several of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy's better-known and lesser-known preserves and how they provide a mosaic of habitats for both common and rare native plants.  To register for this online program, email  [email protected] .

   trail up Bundy Hill

Spring has sprung!  The spring ephemerals are blooming in Michigan forests right now.  Join the Mid Mitten Wild Ones for a hike though the beautiful Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Woodland Trail!  We will search for the special and elusive spring wildflowers in the wet forests of the Refuge.  This trail is a floodplain of the Tittabawassee River which harbors the perfect conditions for spring wildflowers.  We may even see some of the first pollinators of the season!  Dress appropriately for the weather and be sure to wear waterproof mud boots.  Meet in the Woodland Trail Parking Lot by taking Center Road then turn East on Stroebel Rd.  Christina Schall will lead the walk. A map can be found at https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/trailmap_woodland.pdf#c

We will social distance and wear masks.  To register, email [email protected].

To register for this free online program, email  [email protected] .

Professional gardeners-writers Janet Macunovich and Steven Nikkila describe their ‘crusade’ as “a must-see for anyone who plants trees and shrubs or has planted in the last ten years. We're in the midst of a perfect storm of production practices and economic realities that have made it likely that the plant we buy will not have a good root system” says Janet. Here is a helpful look at how this situation came about, the research attention it's getting, what you can expect to see, the fixes that Janet and Steve learned, and the results they are seeing.

Steve and Janet operate their business GardenAtoZ.com with over 40 years of experience growing plants, installing landscapes for commercial and residential customers, creating over 50 webinars to educate the public, and appearing at garden festivals. They maintain a garden at the Detroit Zoo and live in SW Michigan.

Find your native plants for the central Michigan area at Chippewa Nature Center's Native Plant Sale June 4-6.  Open for CNC members on June 4 from 1:00-7:00PM (you can buy a membership at the sale); open for the general public June 5 from 9:00-4:00 and June 6 from 12:00-4:00PM.  Located at CNC, 400 S. Badour Road, Midland, MI. at the pavilion next to the main parking lot.  Mid-Mitten chapter will have a booth to help people with native plant questions and recommendations, pass out information about our chapter, and sell items. For sale: plant labels $1 each or 6 for $5.50; garden journals $20 each; plant markers $2 each and mechanical marking pens; bee nest blocks $4 each; other items too.  See the list of available plants for sale at http://www.chippewanaturecenter.org/

Learn how to create a landscape design for your yard utilizing native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and ferns in this presentation. Martha Holzheuer, landscape ecologist and owner of Nature Niche LLC, will discuss types of gardens such as butterfly, pollinator, and bird-friendly, as well as key elements of design and planning you will need to successfully landscape your yard with native species.  Martha and Beth Martin, landscape designer with River Haven Farms, will be available after the presentation to answer questions and help recommend herbaceous and woody plants for shade, sun, and other site conditions. Many of the plants discussed will be available at Nature Niche's Native Plant Sales June 18-26 and August 27-September 4, at the Midland store location.

Martha spent  15 years working as a landscape ecologist and an environmental consultant, specializing in threatened and endangered species protection and permitting, native plant design, invasive species management, wildlife habitat enhancement, and ecological restoration.  Before that, she taught woody plants field labs while securing dual Masters Degrees in Terrestrial (Forest) Ecology and Landscape Architecture at the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  She's a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner, Professional Landscape Architect registered in Michigan, Certified Ecologist, and Certified Arborist.  She loves botanizing and gardening with native plants, nature photography and art, helping people learn about and connect with nature, strategizing to protect rare species, gift giving, and making people happy.

To register for this free online program, email-  [email protected] -by June 13.

Join Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy's Director of Land Protection Trevor Edmonds for a walk and talk at Wah Sash Kah Moqua, part of the SBLC's landscape-level Saginaw Bay Coastal Wildlands project. Acquired in 2011, the 123-acre Wah Sash Kah Moqua unit was actively farmed until a few years before it was owned and managed by the SBLC. The tile was cut and removed, then thousands of native trees and shrubs were planted to restore the property to a forested scrub/shrub wetland, a historically appropriate habitat for its close proximity to the Saginaw Bay shoreline. Edmonds will lead a hike on the land's figure-eight trail system and highlight flora and fauna along the way. If time permits, we may also visit the nearby Standish unit of Saginaw Bay Coastal Wildlands.

Meet and park at the Trailhead of Wah Sash Ka Moqua Preserve on Bay-Arenac Line Road. For directions: http://www.sblc-mi.org/wah-sash-kah-moqua-nature-preserve.html

Trevor Edmonds has been with the SBLC since May of 2012. His main responsibilities include the management and protection of the SBLC's portfolio of nearly 6,000 acres of protected land. He attended Northern Michigan University and holds a degree in environmental conservation. Edmonds also completed the MSU Extension's Master Naturalist program in 2015 and is currently in pursuit of his certified arborist certification.

Join us at Chippewa Nature Center’s pavilion next to the Chippewa Trail to start our evening walk outdoors in search of summer wildflowers. Wear appropriate clothes for the weather and bring your camera if you’d like. After a leisurely walk we’ll sit under the pavilion for snacks. RSVP to [email protected] or 989-225-0059.

Sedges of Michigan             

To register for this online program, email  [email protected]  by 9/12.

Sedges are wonderful plants that are often overlooked because they can be difficult to identify. But in some wetland environments they are some of the most numerous and common plants! When you take the time to slow down and look at them closely, you find they are quite attractive, and many are simple to identify. This online class will walk you through a variety of wetland communities as we learn some of the most common sedges you are likely to encounter in Michigan. By the end of the class you will walk away with an identification guide and a new-found appreciation for these unique plants.

James Dake is Education Director for Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire, Michigan. He holds a Master of Arts in Science Education from Western Michigan University and is author of Grass River's "Field Guide to Northwest Michigan."  He is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the  National Association for Interpretation. Besides loving to teach outdoors, he enjoys photography, backpacking, biking, art, and writing.

Do you have questions about what invasive plants occur in the mid-Michigan area? Do you need help in identifying them? Do you know how to control them? Matthew Lindauer, the new coordinator of the Central Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CM-CISMA) will answer these questions, show examples of invasive species, and describe methods homeowners can use to eradicate or control these unwelcome plants. Many invasive species out-compete native species, turn biodiversity into a monoculture, and break down natural food webs that depend on healthy ecosystems to survive.

This in-person meeting will be held at Chippewa Nature Center's Visitor Center at 6:30-8:00PM. Bring a mask to wear indoors.  Mid-Mitten members and the general public are welcome to attend. After the presentation, we will update members on chapter happenings.

Meet at Chippewa Nature Center's Visitor Center for our Annual Meeting including a review of 2021 activities, election of officers for next year, and brainstorming ideas for new programs and speakers. If you have any photos you'd like included in the review, please send them to [email protected] before Nov. 1. Please wear a mask for this indoors in-person meeting. Note: the potluck has been cancelled.