Chapters in Michigan

Join Wild Ones Mid-Mitten Chapter as Steve Thomas describes the use of native plants among solar arrays. Steve is a consultant with Environmental Technology & Consulting, and his responsibilities include remediation around solar arrays. Steve will describe seed selection and seed mix development to provide optimum plantings. He will also provide examples of these used in Michigan. 

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. 

Take Action with Community Science!

Ever wondered how YOU can contribute to real scientific research? No matter what topic you're interested in, you can turn your curiosity into action with Community Science!

In this presentation, you’ll learn about the importance of this growing movement and how you can start building your knowledge and expertise, all while contributing to local and global projects–anytime and anywhere! 

-Kelly 

Mitchell Swindell, of Detroit Wildflower Nursery, will begin by explaining why he started a native wildflowers nursery and how it fulfills his vision of seeing native more plants in the Detroit area.  He will share his advice on site preparation, planting considerations, plant installation, and garden maintenance. He will talk about plant selection for various types of natural landscapes by focusing on the right plant for the right place. He will also offer strategies for coping with deer and lists of deer-resistant plants.

About Our Presenter

Mitchell Swindell, born and raised in metro-Detroit and a University of Michigan alumnus, has been growing native plants for nearly a decade and sharing them with others for almost as long. He is the owner of Detroit Wildflower Nursery, a backyard retail nursery located at his one-acre home in Farmington Hills, specializing in perennial wildflowers native to Michigan and the Great Lakes region. The nursery’s mission is to raise awareness, provide education, and make Michigan native plants more accessible throughout the metro-Detroit area—empowering everyone to create meaningful wildlife habitat right in their own backyards. For Mitchell, this work is about more than just gardening; it’s about restoring balance and reconnecting people with the natural world.

PARKING: Metered parking is available at Matthaei Botanical Gardens; Matthaei members park for free.

Can’t make it in person? Join us via Zoom!

Link to the Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area Monthly Meeting. Video of the session will be available on the Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area YouTube channel within a few days. 

This meeting will be devoted to all things Heather Holm, which by extension is all things pollinators!  Heather is a biologist, pollinator conservationist and award winning author of four books.  Her website, www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com, contains a wealth of knowledge.

We would like for attendees to spend some time before the meeting exploring and learning from Heather's website resources. The meeting format will be a round table to share our new knowledge and discoveries.

If you don't have time for exploration beforehand that's okay too!  

Zoom presentation by Benjamin Botwinski, director of the Ebersole Center of Lansing Public Schools.

Fens and bogs are among Michigan's most fascinating—and least understood—natural communities. In this presentation we'll take a closer look at how these wetlands function, the unique plant and animal species they support, and the role they play in the broader landscape. We'll also discuss current conservation efforts and how individuals and communities can help protect these rare and sensitive ecosystems.