Events

Wild Ones Central U.P. chapter will hold a Winter Sowing Social, taking place on Thursday, January 23 at 4:00 PM at the Bay College Greenhouse/MS 116. 
Join us as we sow and package native seeds in a fun and collaborative setting. This is a wonderful opportunity to prepare seeds to support the Bay College greenhouse and Wild ones, as well as for personal use.
If you want to try out container winter sowing, save some plastic food containers such as gallon milk jugs, lettuce/salad "shells," smaller Rubbermaid-style storage boxes, or any other clear or translucent container with room for seedings to take root and grow a couple of inches. Bring one or two along (we'll have some available also) and we'll provide the instruction, soil and seed to get you started.

This talk will focus on the ID of invasive plants, insects, and diseases impacting our Michigan forests. We will discuss a variety of control options for homeowners and landowners. It will also introduce participants to MSU’s Forestry Innovation Center and the research work that is being done here.

Our presenter is Jesse Randall, who has been the Director of MSU’s AgBio Research facility in Hyde since August 2018. Currently his research focusses on all things maple syrup and Christmas tree production, wildlife / forest interactions, and SFI logger education.  Prior to MSU,  he was a tenured associate professor at Iowa State University in the Natural Resources Department. At ISU he instructed landowners on a wide variety of forest and wildlife related topics, prescribed fire, ID and control of Invasive species, tree planting, fruit tree propagation etc.   

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

COMMON GROUND is the sweeping and uplifting story of the pioneers of the “Regenerative Movement” who are forgoing “modern” agriculture methods that degrade soil quality and ecosystem services, while producing tremendous quantities of nutritionally dense food and bringing our entire ecosystem back to life. After the film, we'll talk about how these methods can be adapted for small gardens and yard plantings, including native gardens. Film length: 45 min. All are welcome!

Wild Ones Central U.P. member Steve Dosh presents a talk on permaculture, the holistic agricultural and land management design approach that attempts to mimic patterns found in natural ecosystems to reduce waste, prevent pollution, maximize sustainability, protect wildlife, and improve the land’s resiliency and biodiversity. 

Room 903 JHUC (Heirman University Center) Bay College

Event is free, and all are welcome!

The Central Upper Peninsula Chapter of Wild Ones will be participating in the annual Bay de Noc Garden Conference at Bay College. We look forward to sharing Wild One's mission of promoting native landscapes with local residents.  If you are at this event, please stop by and say hello! 

Please Note: The registration deadline for the Bay de Noc Garden Conference is April 10th, 2025! 

Wild Ones Central U.P. Chapter will be participating in the inaugural Plantchella Plant Expo at the Ruth Butler Building at the U.P. State Fairgrounds!  We look forward to sharing Wild One's mission of promoting native landscapes with local residents. If you are at this event, please stop by and say hello! 

Saturday May 17, 2025 at 2:00pm. Join us "up north" for an afternoon of exploring spring wildflowers in Alger County. Our walk will be led by Deb Leblanc, who is 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 has an entry fee, so participants should have an entry pass for this event. They can be purchased online or at the visitor's station located at Munising Falls on Sand Point Rd. just east of Munising. Count on it being buggy! Bring insect repellent and wear long pants and sleeves. All are welcome and this is a free event.  

The Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy is looking for volunteers to assist with a multiple-day restoration project in the Dead River Community Forest, just north of the Vielmetti-Peters Conservation Reserve. 

The May 31st workday includes planting over 400 trees within an old roadbed to convert the road into a vibrant, diverse habitat. A link to sign up can be found here. 

Hours are flexible: 

Morning half day: 10am -2pm, Afternoon half day, 1pm-5pm, All day: 10am-5pm

Volunteer tasks include:  moving and planting trees, raking and pulling weeds. Snacks and water will be provided for anyone kind enough to lend their time, whether it's for a full or half day. 

Please Note:  Volunteers must be able to make a 1-2 mile hike.  The trails are low difficulty with one short, steep hill. While accommodations can be made for volunteers needs, the UPLC cannot accommodate your walk into the restoration site and back to the parking area.

Access to the Dead River Community Forest is via the Vielmetti-Peters Conservation Reserve. Parking is available at the Vielmetti-Peters parking lot at the end of Brickyard Road in Marquette MI. 

For an overview of the Dead River Community Forest, please visit the following link:

https://www.uplandconservancy.org/dead-river-community-forest

The Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy is looking for volunteers to assist with a multiple-day restoration project in the Dead River Community Forest, just north of the Vielmetti-Peters Conservation Reserve. 

The June 1st workday includes planting over 800 shrubs within an old roadbed to convert the road into a vibrant, diverse habitat. A link to sign up can be found here. 

Hours are flexible: 

Morning half day: 10am -2pm, Afternoon half day: 1pm-5pm, or All day: 10am-5pm

Volunteer tasks include:  moving and planting shrubs, raking and pulling weeds. Snacks and water will be provided for anyone kind enough to lend their time, whether it's for a full or half day. 

Please Note:  Volunteers must be able to make a 1-2 mile hike.  The trails are low difficulty with one short, steep hill. While accommodations can be made for volunteers needs, the UPLC cannot accommodate your walk into the restoration site and back to the parking area.

Access to the Dead River Community Forest is via the Vielmetti-Peters Conservation Reserve. Parking is available at the Vielmetti-Peters parking lot at the end of Brickyard Road in Marquette MI. 

For an overview of the Dead River Community Forest, please visit the following link:

https://www.uplandconservancy.org/dead-river-community-forest

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!