Events

The film features Douglas Tallamy, PhD, Entomologist, teacher, author and environmental activist, as well as six organizations around the country that are working to solve environmental problems through education and hands-on action in their local communities by restoring native habitats.
Even if you are already a native landscape advocate, this film will enlighten and inspire you!

Late February is seed planting time! On Thursday, February 23, at 7:00pm in room MS 116 at Bay College we will lend our efforts to the Bay greenhouse to plant native seeds that will be used for upcoming plant sales and native restoration in our area. We usually make quick work of this project, and it always feels good to get your hands dirty in the dead of winter! 

A online panel-style forum on native plant gardening.

Our panelists are Wild Ones Members Laurie Johnson and Brian Black (Central U.P. Chapter) and Marcia Goodrich (Keweenaw Chapter). They will share their knowledge of all aspects of native plant gardening and natural landscaping based on their many years of experience in this area. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. 

The Delta County Master Gardener's Association presents the annual Bay de Noc Gardening Conference. The conference features speakers on topics ranging from indoor houseplants to invasive species to monarch butterflies; there is something for every gardening interest! There will also be vendors and organizations with products and information related to gardening. Lunch will be available.

Wild Ones Central Upper Peninsula will have an information table at this event.

Registration closes April 1.

Contact [email protected]

THIS EVENT IS FULL! THANKS FOR ALL THOSE WHO RESERVED A SPOT.

The Wild Ones Central U.P. chapter April event will be a tour of Designs by Nature U.P. Native Plant nursery near Marquette on Sunday, April 23 at 3:30pm. Michelle Wietek-Stephens, owner of the nursery, is graciously providing this opportunity to tour her facility and learn about the native nursery business. This tour will be limited to 15 participants and RSVP’s will be required, so we are opening it to our Central U.P. chapter members first, then to members of the Keweenaw chapter, then to our larger mailing list if there are any spaces left. 

DATE FOR THIS EVENT IS TENTATIVE DEPENDING ON SPRING CONDITIONS!

Join us "up north" for an afternoon of exploring spring wildflowers in Alger County. Our walk will be led by Deb Leblanc. Deb retired after 40 years of service as the Hiawatha NF West Zone plant ecologist/botanist and Hiawatha NF Native Plant program coordinator. We are thrilled to have her share her expertise with us!
Meet at the Miner's Castle overlook parking lot in Pictured Rocks near Munising. From there we will check other spots along Miner's Castle Rd. to see a variety of species. Remember that Pictured Rocks now has an entry fee, so participants should have an entry pass for this event. They can be purchased online (https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/fees.htm) or at the visitor's station at the Lakeshore once it opens in May.
Count on it being buggy! Bring bug spray, wear long pants and sleeves, and consider a head net.

The Carney Fen is a high quality northern fen and rich conifer wetland, and its chemistry supports diverse landscapes of sedge meadows, rushes and wildflowers. This area is home to the largest and most diverse population of orchids in the state, with at least two dozen species identified. We will walk through the cedar swamp and open fen to explore the plants and wildlife of this unique area!
Waterproof boots or shoes that can get wet are recommended; ankle-deep water may be encountered. We will be walking off-trail, and while the terrain is flat, it can be uneven, with logs, hummocks and other obstacles. This is a real “hike,” so be prepared for that! We will, however, keep a slow pace to be able to observe the plants and wildlife of the fen. Bring bug spray, water, and maybe a snack/lunch.

There is limited parking at the fen, so car pooling is recommended. Meet at the back of the Menard's parking lot (near the highway) at 9:00 for those wanting to carpool from Escanaba. Event begins at 10:00 am EDT/9:00 CDT. The fen is located 5.5 miles west of Carney on County Rd. G-18/374. A link to a map of the fen is posted in the comments.

The Limestone Grassland is a roughly 200 acre area that is part of the the state-designated AuTrain Wildlife Management Area and Refuge. It is a fairly unique grassland for this area, containing many interesting plants and animals. Bring your binoculars, because summer birds here include Sandhill Crane, Grasshopper Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Dickcissel, and Bobolink.
The area is easily accessible at the end of Storm Rd., just south of the Limestone General Store off of Hwy 67. There is a two-track road around the circumference of the grassland that we will take; it can be driven by any crossover type vehicle or anything with a little clearance. AWD/4WD is not needed. We can arrange vehicles or carpool as needed. This will be an easy outing with only a little walking on the two-track.

Participants will have the opportunity to visit the yards of two Wild Ones members with different yard settings (in-town vs. rural) and at different stages of the natural landscaping process. We call this a "show me/tell me" to emphasize that this is a two-way sharing opportunity; bring your own ideas and experiences to share with the hosts as you see the work they have done and plans for the future.

All are welcome. RSVP through our Facebook page or email [email protected] for location details.

The Central U.P. Chapter of Wild Ones will be holding its annual "Mushroom Walk" on Sunday, Sept. 10th @ 3:00 pm at the West Side Recreation Area in Escanaba. Meet at the parking lot off of 19th Ave., North behind the Great Lakes Sports club. Laurie Johnson and Jim Gehling will guide participants through the ins and outs of fungus foraging, identification and appreciation. We will go for an easy hike to look for and identify mushrooms and fungi (and any other natural features of interest) of all types. This is a family friendly event. Bring along any interesting fungi you have found; it's great to have a variety of specimens to look at! (Please harvest responsibly.)

Join Wild Ones Honorary Director Heather Holm as she explores the nesting habitats, life cycles, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of some of the most common native bees in eastern North America, while highlighting the pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees.

When creating and managing thriving habitats for native bees, many factors such as seasonal phenology, nesting strategies, and flower preferences must be considered—and with approximately 3,600 species in North America (north of Mexico), there are many unique aspects to keep in mind when managing successful landscapes for bees. 

Central U.P. Chapter Annual Business meeting

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring authors, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox, as they present their latest book, "The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants." This comprehensive compendium is a treasure trove of knowledge for gardeners looking to incorporate native prairie plants into their landscapes. Neil and Hilary will delve into the making and application of this essential guide, sharing rich historical and ecological insights about prairie ecosystems, all while showcasing stunning images of prairie flora. 

On Monday, December 11 at 7:00pm, Jesse Traub will be presenting, "Every Plant Comes from Somewhere: The Tale of Plant Domestication Around the World” in BHAT 421 at Bay College.
Jesse is a Bay College Instructor, and co-owner of Canterbury Book Store in Escanaba. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor's degree in plant and soil science, and from Michigan State University with a PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology; his research focused on the physiology of drought tolerance in common beans.
This presentation is open to all at no charge. We hope to see you there!