Bees Beyond Honey: Understanding the Roles of Native and Managed Bees in Pollination
Explore the diverse roles bees play in ecosystems in a free webinar sponsored by the national Wild Ones organization. Register here: https://wildones.org/understanding-native-and-managed-pollinators/
Key Takeaways:
Understand the unique roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity.
Learn about the competition and potential conflicts between managed and wild bees.
Discover responsible practices for managing bees and fostering healthy pollinator populations.
Gain actionable advice on planting native plants, participating in community science, and advocating for policies that protect pollinator habitats.
Native Plant Nursery Seeding Volunteer Opportunity
Native Plant Nursery Seeding Volunteer Opportunity, Otsego Conservation District Native Plant Nursery, 459
Livingston Blvd, Gaylord, MI 9 am – 4 pm. If you would like to help, email: kdraeger@otsegocountymi.org
For more information about the Otsego Conservation District Native Plant Nursery visit their websie at http://www.otsegocd.org/native-plant-nursery.html
Tip of the Mitt-Icebreaker Series
Road Salt: A Necessary Evil? No one likes to drive on icy roads, so road salt provides an important service during winter months in northern climes. However, excessive road salt application can have negative impacts on our aquatic resources. Dr. Alan Steinman, a leading researcher from the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University, will provide a brief overview of the road salt dilemma and focus on a number of studies from his lab examining the ecological effects of road salt in a chain of lakes in Grand Rapids. Dr. Steinman will also discuss a salt issue of a totally different kind, currently plaguing Ottawa County.
To register for the virtual event on zoom, click here.
The Butterfly (and Bumble Bee) Effect
The Butterfly (and Bumble Bee) Effect: Voluntary Conservation for At-Risk Species, presented by Caroline Hernandez, Sustainable Landscapes Program, University of Illinois Chicago as part of the 2025 Monarch Conservation Webinar Series. This free webinar is part of a monthly series . This series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs. While this series is free to attend, donations to support The Monarch Joint Venture programs is greatly appreciated. Your contributions help continue vital work for monarch conservation. Donations can be made while registering. You can also review the upcoming sessions when registering. Register here: https://monarchjointventure.org/events/monarch-conservation-webinar-series
How to Design A Bee-Friendly Garden that Pollinators Love
Join Osmia Bee and Pollinator Partnership in a free live webinar to learn expert tips and tricks for creating a pollinator garden the whole ecosystem will be buzzing about. In this webinar, you will gain insider knowledge about Pollinator Partnership's Bee Friendly Gardening program, and learn how to create a thriving ecosystem that supports essential pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Pollinator gardening is vital for maintaining biodiversity, supporting food production, and fostering healthy ecosystems. In this webinar, you will learn how to:
- Provide Forage: Learn how to select a variety of native plants with overlapping bloom times to supply nectar and pollen throughout the growing season.
- Create Nesting Habitat: Understand how to design spaces that cater to the nesting needs of solitary bees and other pollinators, such as leaving bare soil, installing bee hotels, or preserving dead wood and hollow stems.
- Avoid Harmful Practices: Gain insight into reducing pesticide use and adopting eco-friendly gardening methods to ensure a safe and supportive environment for pollinators.
The one-hour session may count toward your continuing education hours and is taught by Sara Wittenberg, the Bee Friendly Garden Manager at Pollinator Partnership. She holds a BS in Zoology (Auburn University), where she examined causes of mortality of birds of prey admitted to a rehabilitation facility, and an MS in Biology (University of Arkansas), where she explored the natal origins of migratory Merlins and Northern Harriers. Her experience includes interning at the national zoo in Costa Rica; directing the rehab program at the Southeastern Raptor Center; co-running a HawkWatch banding station in the Florida Keys; tracking gopher tortoise movements at Fort Benning, GA; conducting breeding bird surveys for the USFS; conducting Sandhill Crane/Sage-Grouse surveys for the USFWS; and assisting with Cornell University’s search for the (extinct?) Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
TO REGISTER CLICK HERE.
MSUE Horticultural Trivia Quiz
Free to the first 50 MSU EMGs who register - only $5 for everyone else. Event counts towards MSU EMG continuing education hours
Horticulture Trivia, Feb 26th at 7 PM. Join MSU Extension for the final of our Winter '24-'25 monthly trivia series about gardening. This is a chance to test your knowledge about all things plants, insects, and garden related in Michigan. There will be 30 multiple choice question/answers during this live event and a prize awarded to the top two scorers with an additional prize for a randomly selected participant. Trivia night is open to gardening enthusiasts, trivia lovers, Extension Master Gardeners, or anyone else who wants to play. Prizes for top 2 finishers and a randomly selected participant.
Register at: https://events.anr.msu.edu/Feb2025trivia/
Smart Gardening Conference
The much-anticipated Smart Gardening Conference in Grand Rapids is at DeVos Place on March 1st, 2025.
Michigan State University Extension is pleased to announce the return of this beloved winter event to Grand Rapids — featuring nationally known horticulturist Bryce Lane of North Carolina. Lane, an award-winning horticulture educator and the former television host of an Emmy® award-winning gardening show, is sure to inspire gardening audiences with beautiful photos and interesting tales drawn from a decades-long career filled with teaching and gardening.
Come spend Saturday March 1st with your fellow gardeners as we eagerly await spring’s return! This year’s conference will offer scintillating lectures, a complimentary gift bag filled with garden-related goodies, free entrance into the West Michigan Home and Garden Show, and much more. It promises to be a truly enjoyable day!
Where: DeVos Place 303 Monroe Ave., NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503. MAP
Registration link: Click here Registration is $69 with lunch on your own. Registration deadline: Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at midnight or when full. Registration at the door is not available.
Garden Design, Building YOUR Perfect Garden
Garden Design - Build YOUR Perfect Garden - If you love to garden and do-it-yourself, check out this exciting new class to get your Spring gardening projects kickstarted. Whether you’re thinking about re-creating or expanding your existing garden space, or if you’re just starting your landscape design following a new build, this is the class for you.
In this class Extension Master Gardener Kim Seelinger will discuss the steps necessary to design & build a beautiful landscape in your yard. The class will focus on: Initial design and layout with a focus on creating drama & curb appeal. Plant selection with a focus on color and texture. Garden bed preparation, selecting plant materials to suit your situation - critically thinking about your garden space. Planting, ongoing maintenance and starting small and building your plan.
The class will provide some real-world examples of plans that have been brought to life and provide a forum to discuss your unique landscape needs.
The cost is $40 and space is limited. To register click here or go to: https://www.ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-6050488
Winter Woods & Wildlife Snowshoe Hike
Winter Woods and Wildlife Snowshoe Hike with Walloon Lake Association, CAKE CISMA & Charlevoix Conservation District Postle Farm Preserve, 1383 Country Club Rd, Boyne Falls, MI 49713. Saturday, March 1st, 1:00PM - 3:00PM Enjoy a fun and informative afternoon at Postle Farm Preserve, to learn how to spot and identify Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). Fingers crossed we don’t find any during our hike! Bring your snowshoes or hiking boots, whichever suits your adventurous spirit, and let’s practice keeping our trees safe together! R
egister here: https://www.cakecisma.org/event-details/winter-woods-wildlife-hike
Pruning Workshop-Repeat
Pruning is an important cultural practice used to maintain health, safety, vigor and appearance of woody plants. It involves both art and science – art, in shaping plants in harmony with their growth habit to enhance the landscape, and science, in knowing how, when, where and why to prune for maximum benefit.
MSU Extension Senior Horticulture Educator (retired), Rebecca Finneran will lead the interactive online Zoom workshops that are designed to help participants learn best practices for pruning and the proper equipment it takes for each job. You will be able to ask questions and interact with the instructor. And, prior to the workshop you have selected, you will have the option to submit photos for discussion and analysis, as time allows.
Registration deadline: March 6, 2025, at midnight, or when the workshop is full. Cost $40. Click on the link to register for March 7 workshop.
Following the January and March online workshops, Hands-on Outdoor Pruning Workshops will be organized in various Michigan locations. You will be notified about the dates, times and locations and can then register to select the hands-on workshop that works best for you, if applicable. There will be a separate fee for the Hands-on Outdoor Pruning Workshop.
Wild Ones Educational Program
This educational program will take place in the downstairs classroom of the Petoskey Public Library. All are welcome. No reservations are necessary. Photo credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register. Register here
The Lure of Lilacs: Springtime Scents, Bountiful Blooms, and Captivating Colors
Lilacs are beloved flowering shrubs (or occasionally trees!) in Michigan’s landscapes. Deanna Hedlund, MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator, will discuss the history of these storied plants and she’ll point us towards some garden-worthy selections for today’s landscape, including tried-and-true classics, as well as modern offerings.
Pruning Workshop-Repeat
Pruning is an important cultural practice used to maintain health, safety, vigor and appearance of woody plants. It involves both art and science – art, in shaping plants in harmony with their growth habit to enhance the landscape, and science, in knowing how, when, where and why to prune for maximum benefit.
MSU Extension Senior Horticulture Educator (retired), Rebecca Finneran will lead the interactive online Zoom workshops that are designed to help participants learn best practices for pruning and the proper equipment it takes for each job. You will be able to ask questions and interact with the instructor. And, prior to the workshop you have selected, you will have the option to submit photos for discussion and analysis, as time allows.
Registration deadline: March 13, 2025, at midnight, or when the workshop is full. Cost $40. Click on the link to register for March 14 workshop.
Following the January and March online workshops, Hands-on Outdoor Pruning Workshops will be organized in various Michigan locations. You will be notified about the dates, times and locations and can then register to select the hands-on workshop that works best for you, if applicable. There will be a separate fee for the Hands-on Outdoor Pruning Workshop.
NMMGA Board Meeting
Online meeting of the NMMGA board of directors. Please contact Beth Cowie for a link if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
NMMGA Member Meeting
Online member meeting starting at 5 pm. Details will be added at a later date. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Tip of the Mitt-Icebreaker Series
Climate Change & Taking Action Dr. Peter Schulze, Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Austin College, will review the basics of climate change, consider actions we can take to minimize and prepare for climate change, and discuss some reasons why the necessary adjustments challenge society. Some challenges he will discuss are more extensively considered in his open access (free) book,
Obstacles to Environmental Progress.
To register for the virtual event on zoom click here.
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register. Register here
Molly Wozniak , GiLLS Invasive Species Coordinator presents Keeping an Eye on Invasive Species.
Since the 1800s, the United States has been dealing with invasive species. Some of these you may have heard of (think zebra mussels, sea lamprey, or Phragmites), while others may seem completely ordinary in our landscape but actually threaten our native ecosystems. Join us to learn about invasive species in our landscape, the work that is being done to manage them, and how you can get involved.
Wild Ones Educational Program
This educational program will take place in the downstairs classroom of the Petoskey Public Library. All are welcome. No reservations are necessary. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
NMMGA Board Meeting
Online meeting of the NMMGA board of directors. Please contact Beth Cowie for a link if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
NMMGA Member Meeting
This member meeting will include an educational presentation. Details will be added as they become available. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register. Register here
Marianna Szucs, MSU Associate Professor, Department of Entomolofy presents: The Devil Devastating Your Lillies. Michigan is currently on the front lines of the scarlet lily beetle invasion, which began in Massachusetts in 1992 and spread to Ontario in 1993. A successful biological control program in Canada and New England introduced three parasitoid species that lay eggs in lily beetle larvae, effectively managing this destructive pest. This presentation will cover the biology and life cycle of the scarlet lily beetle, its preference for specific lily varieties, and the ongoing efforts to introduce these biocontrol parasitoids to Michigan to combat the infestation.
NMMGA Board Meeting
Online meeting of the NMMGA board of directors. Please contact Beth Cowie for a link if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Start of Lilac Festival, Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival JUNE 6 - 15, 2025 THEME: Mackinac Island is COOL
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is the largest and most historic festival on Mackinac Island. It’s 10 days celebrating the lilacs and their uniqueness and history to Mackinac Island. Join us for the Lilac Queen coronation, official poster reveal, 10K Run/Walk, lilac walking tours, lilac planting seminars, bounce houses, Michigan Cornhole tournament, live music, the Grand Parade, and more! Photo Credit: NMMGA
Annual Plant Sale
This is meant to hold the date and anticipate a great plant sale hosted by NMMGA members at the Emmet County Fairground in Petoskey.
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register. Register here
Phimmasone Owens of the University of Michigan and Founder of Refugee Garden Initiatives presents Cultivating Connection: Refugee Stories and the Transformative Power of Gardening.
Gardeners understand the deep connection between tending the land and nurturing the soul. In this presentation, Phimmasone will share her journey as a refugee and how the upheaval of displacement led her to create Refugee Garden Initiatives (RGI). Phimmasone will explore how reconnecting to the land provides healing, fosters resilience, and rebuilds a sense of home for refugees who have lost so much. Together, we’ll reflect on how gardening can be more than a hobby—it can be a bridge that brings people and cultures together, fostering understanding and cultivating community one seed at a time.
End of Lilac Festival, Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival JUNE 6 - 15, 2025 THEME: Mackinac Island is COOL
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is the largest and most historic festival on Mackinac Island. It’s 10 days celebrating the lilacs and their uniqueness and history to Mackinac Island. Join us for the Lilac Queen coronation, official poster reveal, 10K Run/Walk, lilac walking tours, lilac planting seminars, bounce houses, Michigan Cornhole tournament, live music, the Grand Parade, and more! Photo credit: NMMGA
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register. Register here
Kelly McClelland ,MSU Extension Community Food Systems Educator, presents Growing Together: Strategies, Structures, and Impact of Community Gardens.
Community Food Systems Educator Kelly McClelland will explore the vital role of community gardens, focusing on strategies and structures that maximize their impact. She will share research on the benefits of community gardens, along with personal stories from her work supporting community gardens in the Genesee County area.
NMMGA Member Meeting & Potluck
NMMGA members meeting with a potluck social event. More information to be posted at a later date. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register. Register here
Becca Krans , MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator Smart Ways to Bring Native Plants Into Your Landscape.
What’s all the buzz about native plants? Are some better than others? How can I use native plants when my yard is already planted? Discover ways to incorporate native plants into your existing lawn, vegetable garden, or other areas of your yard.
NMMGA Member Meeting
This regularly scheduled member meeting will include an educational program. Details will follow at a later date. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register. Register here
Julie Crick, MSU Extension Natural Resources Educator presents Guiding Neighborhood Trees through Climate Change. Natural Resources Educator, Julie Crick, will discuss climate variations, both experienced and expected, and provide tips to limit resulting stressors on our urban trees. In addition, she will review species vulnerability reports for urban trees in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register. Register here
Lindsey Kerr and MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Colleagues present Garden Gifts, Tools and Books, Gear up for the gift-giving season with ideas from the MSU Consumer Horticulture Team. Join Lindsey Kerr and her colleagues to roll out their favorites. Cool books, garden tools, and gadgets—get great ideas for gift giving to gardening friends…and what to add to your wish list!
NMMGA Member Meeting
This scheduled member meeting starts at NOON and includes a pot-luck luncheon. Details will follow when they are available. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis-Stolz
Seed sorting and packaging
What: Seed Saving and Packaging Event
When: Monday, February 17 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Charlevoix County Conservation District Community Room at 303 North Street, Boyne City, MI
Map/Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cAmohjbkpStJiyEV9
This event is open to Northern Michigan Master Gardener Association members and friends. During this event you will learn about seed collecting or seed saving from garden plants, removing seeds from deadheads, sorting seeds from chaff, and packaging seeds with the required information. We will be sorting and packaging seeds in preparation for free distribution at the annual plant sale in June and for your own use for winter sowing or sowing in your garden this spring. This is an approved MSUE Master Gardener project. MGs attending will earn volunteer hours and can earn additional hours for their time outside of the work session dedicated to seed collecting, sorting, and packaging. The project is in Volunteer Central under the name of “Seed Collecting for Northern Michigan Distribution.”
· Bring your own flower deadheads and/or seeds from your garden or work with ones I and others will bring. A variety of native and nonnative plant seeds are available to work with.
· If possible, but not necessary, please bring a cookie sheet with raised edges to help keep seeds under control as you sort seeds and package them.
· Materials for sorting and packaging seeds will be provided.
· Beverages are provided. Feel free to bring a snack to share.
To assist in planning for materials and room arrangement, please RSVP to Frances Paris at northernmi.mastergardeners@gmail.com or text at 248-807-1546
A second date in March for seed sorting, saving and packaging will be determined by this group during our time together.
NMMGA Board Meeting
NMMGA Board Meeting. This meeting is on Zoom. Please contact Beth Cowie for the link if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Winter Seed Sowing
Winter Seed Sowing Workshop, 10 am – Noon. Join CAKE CISMA at the Charlevoix Conservation District office at 330 North Street, Boyne City for a hands-on winter seed sowing workshop. Space is limited. Registration required. This is a free event and donations are appreciated.
Some seeds require a temperature change to trigger the end of a dormancy (or sleep) period; a process called stratification. Many native seeds have this built-in dormancy mechanism that protects them from germinating before killing frosts or in drought. One of the easiest ways to cold stratify seeds is to let nature do the work, either by planting seeds in the fall outdoors or starting them in a container during the winter. This workshop will cover everything you need to know about getting native wildflower seeds started along with a brief presentation on gardening for wildlife.
Provided: various native wildflowers, soil, and milk jugs, gloves, and UV-resistant markers, instructions on how to seed sow at home and what to do in the spring with your seedling transplants
What to Bring: Please bring an extra milk jug if you'd like to make a second container.
What to expect:
Light refreshments provided
Must be 18+ or older to participate or bring a parent/guardian with you
Register at: https://www.cakecisma.org/event-details/winter-seed-sowing-workshop-charlevoix-1
DIG IN!
A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners . Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. A link to the program will be sent to you each month. You will also receive the links for viewing the recorded programs at your convenience. You must register for the series, but you only need to register once. Register here
Ronnie Miller, a PhD candidate in MSU's Department of Entomology, will discuss her current research examining bumble bee communities in human-altered landscapes across southern Michigan. She'll discuss the relationship between bees and the many plants that sustain and enrich our lives with their beauty, edible offerings, and healing medicines, along with why we should offer our support back to these amazing creatures.
Film: Green Fire
Film: Green Fire, 6:00 pm, Petoskey Public Library, Join other Northern Michigan Master Gardeners for the showing of "Green Fire", a film about Aldo Leopold who is considered the most important conservationist of the twentieth-century.
Wild Ones Educational Program
The educational event will take place at the downstairs classroom of the Petoskey Public Library. All are welcome. No reservation needed. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Charlevoix Conservation District Tree Sale Starts
Charlevoix Conservation District Tree Sale Orders starts February 1. Deadline for orders is April 1. Go to the Conservation District website to see the catalog and directions on ordering the trees. Pick up ordered trees on Saturday, April 26th from 9 am to 1 pm.
Click here for the catalog, order forms and other information on buying trees. You may pick up a hard copy catalog from the District office at 303 North Street, Boyne City.
RECERTIFICATION DEADLINE TODAY
The 2025 MSU EMG recertification period is now Open! To complete the recertification process, log in to Volunteer Central (VC), and complete the following steps:
1. Review & Edit your profile as necessary
2. Review & Update the Volunteer Code of
Conduct/Media/Medical forms
3. Submit Payment
Recertification is open until January 31, 2025. The recertification fee during this period is $20. After that, late recertification runs from February 1-10, 2025 at midnight. The late recertification fee during this period is $40.
Photo Credit: Ales Krivec
Rain Garden Webinar
Michigan Master Gardener Association Rain Gardens Webinar: On Thursday, January 30 at 7:00pm, the MMGA will be hosting an exciting talk titled, Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away, presented by, Jean Persely. Jean will discuss how to create a rain garden in your yard to protect watersheds, and answer the following questions: Why should I have a rain garden? What is one? What are the benefits? How does it function? How large should it be? Click for the Zoom link:
Tip of the Mitt-Icebreaker Series
Join David Mifsud, certified professional wetland scientist and expert in herpetology, for an engaging presentation on Conservation and Best Management Practices for Amphibians and Reptiles in Michigan. David A. Mifsud is the senior herpetologist and owner of Herpetological Resource and Management, a conservation company dedicated to the protection and stewardship of amphibians and reptiles. He holds multiple certifications including Professional Wetland Scientist by the Society of Wetland Scientists, Professional Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America, and Professional Wildlife Biologist through The Wildlife Society. He has worked for over 20 years in wildlife biology, wetland ecology, and habitat conservation and management, with an emphasis on herpetofauna. He has conducted research, assessments, and habitat restoration targeting amphibians and reptiles across Michigan. He has written or co-authored several publications and technical reports on Michigan herpetofauna. David is Co-chair of the State of Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Technical Advisory board. He also coordinates the Michigan Herpetological Atlas project. He has conducted numerous training workshops focused on the identification, conservation and best management of amphibians and reptiles in Michigan. He serves as an expert on Great Lakes turtles for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group with focus on Great Lakes and African chelonians. Mifsud is the author of the Amphibian & Reptile Best Management Practices for Michigan and co-author of the Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region Revised Edition. He is also the founder and President of the Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy.
To register for the virtual event on zoom, click here.
Plant Quest - Last session of the 4-part series
This webinar requires registration by January 26. To register go to https://events.anr.msu.edu/PlantQuest2025/ This zoom session is live and will be recorded. A link to the recording will be sent to all participants.
Perennial Beauty at Olbrich Botanical Gardens Presenter: Erin Presley, Horticulturist, Olbrich Gardens, WI
At Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a free-admission 16-acre public garden in Madison, WI, success is defined by not only creating gorgeous gardens, but also trialing and modeling sustainable techniques. Erin Presley, a horticulturist at Olbrich for 10 years, walks you through a variety of perennial garden styles and best practices for attracting and supporting insect life, managing weeds, building soil and saving water - all while saving time and resources. We'll cover spring garden tidying, matrix plantings and green mulch, the roles of natives and nativars, and much more!!
Pruning Workshop
Pruning is an important cultural practice used to maintain health, safety, vigor and appearance of woody plants. It involves both art and science – art, in shaping plants in harmony with their growth habit to enhance the landscape, and science, in knowing how, when, where and why to prune for maximum benefit.
MSU Extension Senior Horticulture Educator (retired), Rebecca Finneran will lead the interactive online Zoom workshops that are designed to help participants learn best practices for pruning and the proper equipment it takes for each job. You will be able to ask questions and interact with the instructor. And, prior to the workshop you have selected, you will have the option to submit photos for discussion and analysis, as time allows.
Registration deadline: Jan. 23, 2025, at midnight, or when the workshop is full. Cost $40. Click on the link to register for January 24 workshop.
Following the January and March online workshops, Hands-on Outdoor Pruning Workshops will be organized in various Michigan locations. You will be notified about the dates, times and locations and can then register to select the hands-on workshop that works best for you, if applicable. There will be a separate fee for the Hands-on Outdoor Pruning Workshop.
Plant Quest #3 of 4
This is the third of a series of 4 webinars. One registration pays for all sessions. If you have not registered please go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/PlantQuest2025/ The sessions are zoom webinars which are recorded. Following the webinar, registered participants will get a link to the recorded webinar. Forging Alloys: Captivating, Iron-Clad Plant Combinations Presenter: Dr. Jared Barnes, Meristem Horticulture Combining plants. It's a horticultural practice as old as time. But, with an endless palette, which ones mix n' mingle well? In this presentation, the mixer, Dr. Jared Barnes, will break down the basic elements of color, texture, height, season and more to help you forge your own gardening "alloys." You'll also take a trip around the world and discover other horticultural "alchemists" who have created plant pairings that have great chemistry.
Dig In!
Erica Clites – MSU Extension Michigan Sea Grant Educator
Gardening in the Great Lakes WatershedUsing native plants in your home garden can help address many of the top challenges in the Great Lakes watershed including habitat loss, storm water flooding and excess nutrients. Learn how Michigan Sea Grant works with partners throughout the state to support conservation of Great Lakes resources as well as how you and your home garden can help.
Register once for all sessions at this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/2025DigIn/
This series counts towards MSU EMG continuing education hours!
Board Meeting-online
First Board meeting of the year. Beth Cowie will provide Zoom link. Please contact Beth if you would like to attend this meeting and have not received a link.
Plant Quest # 2 of 4
This MSUE sponsored webinar series costs $50. If registered, a zoom link will be sent to participants. Following the webinar a link to a recording will be sent to registered participants which is very convenient if you cannot make the live presentation. To register go to https://events.anr.msu.edu/PlantQuest2025/
Lessons from Stoneleigh: Reimagining Traditional Landscapes with Native Plants Presenter: Ethan Kauffman, Director Stoneleigh: a natural stone garden
With a 150-year history as a private estate, Stoneleigh: a natural garden became one of the newest public gardens in the Philadelphia region in 2018. Informed by the growing understanding of the connectedness of all living things, a vision arose during the transition: to reimagine a historical landscape as an ecologically vibrant wonderland of native plants. Relying on both tried-and-true gardening techniques and experimentation, the emerging garden is an exuberant exploration of cultivating native plants in the modern landscape.
Wild Ones Educational Program
This educational event will be held in the downstairs classroom of the Petoskey Public Library. All are welcome. No reservations are needed. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Plant Quest: #1 of 4
This MSUE sponsored webinar series costs $40 if registered before January 5 and $50 from Jan 6 through 26. If registered, a zoom link will be sent to participants, Following the webinar, participants receive a link to the recording (which is very convenient if you cannot make the live presentation). To register go to https://events.anr.msu.edu/PlantQuest2025/ The first of four sessions is Garden Conifers - The Good, The Bad and the Underused Presenter: Dr. Bert Cregg, Professor of Horticulture and Forestry, Michigan State University Burnt out on blue spruce? Pining for something different? In this webinar, Dr. Bert Cregg, will lead you through a tour of the weepy, twisty, wild world of dwarf and unusual conifers. This program will cover choosing top conifers for connoisseurs as well as how to avoid conifers that are destined for a ride on the chipper truck!
Board of Directors Online Meeting
Regularly scheduled Board of Directors Meeting. All members are welcome to attend. Please contact Susan Affholter, the president, at SusanAff@hotmail.com to get the Zoom link and other materials.
Wild Ones Educational Program
The second in the series of events. This educational program is held in the downstairs classroom of the Petoskey Public Library. No reservations needed. All are welcome. Photo credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Vermicompost
The Charlevoix County MSU Extension is hosting a course on Vermicompost. Learn how to use worms in your composting. Learn about vermicomposting and build your own worm bin at home. Class is held at the Community Classroom of the City Hall at 319 North Lake Steet, Boyne City, MI 49712 RSVP to hensele@msu.edu
Compost 101
An introduction to composting, handling a backyard compost pile, and using compost in your potted plants and yard. Class is sponsored by the Michigan State University Extension and held at the Community Classroom in City Hall at 319 North Lake Street, Boyne City, MI 49712. RSVP to hensele1@msu..edu
Board of Directors online meeting
Regularly scheduled Board of Directors Meeting. All members are welcome to attend. Please contact Susan Affholter, the president, at SusanAff@hotmail.com to get the Zoom link and other materials.
Dried Flower Workshop
Monic Gruler, Master Gardner and owner of Gruler Gardens, leads participants in a hands-on workshop. Make a beautiful flower bouquet using a selection of dried flowers and foliage grown at Gruler Gardens! Use it to decorate your home or give it as a gift to someone special. All supplies and materials are provided. We’ll discuss which plants work best for dried flower projects and how to grow and dry them. I’ll provide a quart-size Mason jar for your arrangement, or you may bring your own vase or vessel (maximum size up to 3” in diameter and up to 11” in height.) This class is designed for adults and will be held in the Charlevoix Conservation District Community Room at 303 North Street in Boyne City. Because of space limitations, the class is restricted to enrolled participants only. Class length may vary, as I’ve allowed time for breaks and a relaxing, enjoyable pace for all participants. Enrollment is limited and advance registration is required, so sign up now to reserve your spot! Register at this link.
Introduction to Native Plants: From Anishinaabek to Your Backyard
The public is invited to a presentation hosted by the League of Women Voters of Northern Lower Michigan. Interested in using more native plants in your landscaptng? Amanda Weinert, Teachings of the Earth Coordinator and Monica Gruler, Masfter Gardener, contact for local Wild Ones seedling group and owner of Gruler Farms, can answer your questions and tell you haw to get started. Handouts with native plant resources and a small gift of native seeds will be available. Go to LWVNLM.org to register.
Dig In! The Importance of Manoomin
MSU Extension Natural Resources Educator, Kristine Hahn, will introduce us to the plant and crop that is Manoomin. Also known as Wild Rice or Zizania palustris or Zizia aquatica, Hahn will discuss the cultural significance of Manoomin to the Great Lakes Native American population. She’ll also cover the growing conditions necessary for producing Manoomin, how it is processed as a food crop, and its importance to our local wildlife. This is the last webinar of the 2024 Dig In! series. All Michigan Master Gardeners were invited to attend this free Zoom series. For more information and FREE registration, click here. Each session counts as 1 hour of the MG education requirement. Once registered you will also have access to previously recorded sessions.
Compost 101
An introduction to composting, handling a backyard compost pile, and using compost in your potted plants and yard. Class is sponsored by the Michigan State University Extension and held at the Community Classroom in City Hall at 319 North Lake Street, Boyne City, MI 49712. RSVP to hensele1@msu..edu
Wild Ones Educational Program
The first of the 2024/25 series of educational programs. The sessions are held in the downstairs classroom of the Petoskey Public Library. The participants will discussing the video entitled “Using Native Michigan Plants to Benefit the Environment,” which was recorded by the League of Women Voters and has been shared with us by Ann Scott. A preview of the hour-long video is available in case you want to see the video prior to the meeting. It is worthy of a second viewing on Nov. 9! Click here to watch.