Chapters in Michigan

Jerry Dennis. Up North in Michigan:  A Portrait of Place in our Seasons

The WO Book Club will meet via zoom the last Monday of each Month at 7:00 PM.

The link to join the zoom call will be sent out the week before the meeting via the Wild Ones Google Groups email.   
 

Oak Savanna Garden Design: Going Beyond ‘Prairie Style’ Pollinator Gardens To Maximize Ecological Services in your Yard

Oak Savanna systems are the perfect model for creating gardens that offer what entomologist Douglas Tallamy calls “hyper-productive keystone species,” which are essential to support the complex food webs in our own yards. Most urban and suburban yards have the conditions for Oak Savanna-style gardens, so why are prairies and forests the default model for native gardens? Mike Weis, native garden designer and advocate, will explore this question and discuss how to create an Oak Savanna.

Doors open at 6:00 for social time.

Wild Ones Central U.P. chapter will hold a Winter Sowing Social on Thursday, January 29 starting 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 outdoor 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 containers with room for seedings to take root and grow a couple of inches. Bring one or two along if you can (we'll have some available also) and we'll provide the instruction, soil and seed to get you started.
This event is free and open to all!

Oceana, Newaygo, and Muskegon counties are joining forces to form the West Michigan Shore-to-Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones! This chapter brings together passionate native plant enthusiasts to learn, share knowledge, and inspire others to reintroduce native plants into public and private spaces. We’re thrilled to host this kick-off event and welcome a growing community dedicated to restoring our local landscapes with Michigan natives.

Join us alongside Connie Crancer, the chapter’s acting President and devoted native plant advocate, whether you’re just beginning your native plant journey or looking to deepen your expertise!

What to Expect:

Connect with fellow native plant enthusiasts and build a supportive community across Newaygo County. Learn about upcoming presentations, field trips, and hands-on activities throughout the year, rotating among all three counties. Enjoy a short, informative presentation on native seed stratification techniques, then take home native seeds with detailed stratification instructions and guidance on what to do afterward.

No registration required! 

Join us in a hands-on session in creating seed packets with labels to be given out at future events. If you have saved seeds that you are willing to give away, please bring them to this meeting. We will print labels and place seeds in envelopes. This is a great way to learn about our native plants, see what the seeds look like, and learn about their growing conditions.

This program will take place at the Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Road, Midland, MI. Meet at the Visitor Center. The public is welcome to attend.

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This program is brought to you by the Wild Ones Mid-Mitten Chapter, part of a member-based national organization whose mission promotes environmentally-sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities. The Mid-Mitten Chapter is based in Midland, Bay, Saginaw, and Isabella counties. It meets monthly on the second Monday, and welcomes new members. For more information go to @midmittenwildones.