Calendar

Purchasing our 4.5 acres of property outside of Ann Arbor, three years ago, was an opportunity for our family to work towards reconciliation ecology. Our land will never be what it was in the pre-European settlement era, because of historical patterns, current use, climate change, and invasive species; but it can be a wonderful place for us to live and be a natural habitat for many, many species going forward. The property we steward has a mix of sandy, low nutrient soil in the east, and a wetland area (historical remnant since at least 1940) at the lower west side. It has been benignly neglected for at least the last 30 years after serving as a home site/yard and a farm. Many woody and herbaceous invasives had become abundant, often dominant.  We have a lot of deer in the area, so ongoing deer browse is a major challenge.

A tour of Kevin’s property highlights the challenges of managing invasive plants on a larger scale while making realistic choices for the introduction and/or re-introduction, of native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs. This complex process is often made more challenging when there is high pressure from browsing deer. Kevin has taken up the challenge and has developed some informed strategies to win the battle and claim the wet meadow and wooded upland for a greater diversity of species.

Parking along W. Delhi Road. Gather at the foot of the drive. There will be bugs, including ticks. Come prepared. 
 

Native plants are the foundation of habitat, but wildlife need more than food to thrive. Join ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist Shaun McCoshum, PhD, to explore how nesting sites, shelter, water, soil conditions, and other often-overlooked resources can transform a yard into a functioning ecosystem that supports biodiversity year-round.

Registration link coming soon.

Repurposing a 30-year old Landscape. This Member-to-Member yard tour is offered in conjunction with the Washtenaw Co. Master Rain Gardeners

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

Registration link coming soon.

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.