Events

In 2014, Jim Vallem began the process of replacing non-native plants and lawn with natives in his 60' x 120' (0.165 acres) city lot. Each year since, edits have been made and more plants added, with the yard currently sporting over 80 native plant species, and no-mow grass (a fine-fescue mix) instead of traditional turf grass. This tour for Ann Arbor Area Wild Ones and the Master Rain Gardener program will feature the front yard rain garden (2016) and the moisture-loving plants in the low area along the back edge of the lot.

Join us at Jim's home to enjoy the garden of a native plant enthusiast! Joint event with Washtenaw County Water Resources.

PARKING: Public street parking.

Rain Garden of Jule Monnens 

We started our garden in spring of 2022. Our property had major drainage issues which we were able to mitigate with a lot of hard work digging trenches and putting in the first iteration of our garden. Each year we have expanded and redesigned the garden so that it now occupies the entire front yard. Before we had even done more than dig, the site of our rain garden had been a sponge, absorbing runoff from the gutter and a trench around the back, as well as discharge from the sump pump. Rain gardens rule!

NOTE TO MEMBERS: We will send an email with the address to you at least three days before the event. 

The closing event of this year’s Less Lawn More Life Challenge, will be led by Lisa Olsen, Chapter Liaison at Wild Ones. In this webinar, you’ll learn how small, personal actions like planting native species and removing invasives, can ripple outward to inspire neighbors, change policies, and reshape communities. 

During the premiere, native plant experts from Wild Ones and collaborating organizations will be active in the live chat. They’ll be ready to answer questions, share tips, and connect viewers with resources. The live chat will remain open for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage. Please note: You must be logged into a YouTube account to participate in the chat. 

The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is a free, 12-week action series designed to help people transform traditional lawns into vibrant, life-supporting native plant habitat. Each week, participants complete a simple challenge like planting a native shrub, removing invasives, or observing pollinators to reimagine their outdoor space and take meaningful steps toward restoring biodiversity at home. 

It’s not too late to get involved. Catch up on the weekly videos and start your rewilding journey today at https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Guides: Ron Gamble and Faye Stoner

On this walk we will cover basic plant ID skills (e.g., Are the leaves arranged opposite each other along the stem or in alternate positions? Do the leaves have a simple (single) or compound form? Are the leaf edges rounded or squared?), and we will practice these skills as we look at plants found in this lovely remnant prairie. Plants found in the prairie this time of year include Tall Coreopsis, Yellow Coneflower, Mountain Mint, Early Goldenrod, and Prairie Loosestrife; there will be many more species to see! 

About Our Guides

Faye Stoner grew up in western Pennsylvania, but has been in Michigan for over 30 years. She worked as a naturalist for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks and for Washtenaw County Parks. 

Ron Gamble grew up in central Iowa.

BE PREPARED FOR BUGS!

Depending on the weather, there may be ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks, etc., and bring your favorite repellent.

ENTRANCE FEE AND PARKING at Independence Lake Park 

Daily Admission, per Vehicle:  Washtenaw County residents: $6 ($3 for Seniors); Others: $10 ($6 for Seniors)

Where to Park and Meet: Please park at the east end of the Beach Center parking lot (about one mile in from Jennings Road; it is the first left after the Blue Heron Bay parking lot). Watch for a large lime green vertical banner to find our group. The first section of the prairie is about an eight-minute walk from there.

Independence Lake Park Brochure with Map

NOTE: Exact start and end time, meeting point,  and program description will be provided by July 15, 2025.

River Bend Gardens was established in July 2017, and formally founded by my wife and I in January 2019 as a private botanical garden, aviary, and retreat for our family of five children.

The property was selected for its unique combination of natural features, and is located in Washtenaw County, 15 miles Southwest of Ann Arbor, in the Village of Manchester.  The gardens are situated on 65 acres with a half mile of frontage on the River Raisin, and adjacent to the South and West with the Leonard Preserve, a 259-acre property owned by Washtenaw County’s Natural Areas Preservation, and The Nature Conservancy.

There are twelve gardens that make-up River Bend, with nine natural plant communities, and several glacial features in the landscape from kames, an out-wash plain, to a floodplain that includes a Buttonbush depression.  In addition to the River Raisin, the property includes a 4 acre pond, two brooks, and over 30 natural springs.

Hiking River Bend Gardens offers our guest an opportunity to view a gardener's pragmatic effort at native plant preservation and restoration.  Wayne is happy to share the mechanics of the preservation work and prairie restoration with considerations to methods, successes, and failures.  

River Bend Gardens offers our guests a short walk (1/4 mile) to the prairie and meeting location, or guests may elect a longer hike (3 miles) through the garden on the trails to the meeting location.  While the trails are established, they are not completely groomed, the garden is not ADA compliant, nor is there a restroom present on the property.

Guests who chose the three mile hike on the Garden Trail, presented in yellow on the attached trail map, should arrive at 9:00am at the East Entrance Garden.  You can use 115 Mound Street Manchester, MI 48158 as the GPS address.  There is a horseshoe drive where you can pull-in for parking, or on the shoulder of Mound Street on the north side of the street facing west.

Guests who prefer a short walk to the prairie should arrive at 10:30am at the West Entrance Garden.  You can use 328 River Bend Manchester, MI 48158 as the GPS address.  There is adequate parking off the street on garden property.

In either case there will be someone from the River Bend family there to guide you to the meeting location.  After a discussion and Q&A, the guests will be free to walk the trails and experience the gardens at their own pace.

NOTE: Exact start and end time and program description will be provided by September 1, 2025.

Presenter: Calla Butler

Details coming soon! 

NOTE: Exact start and end time and program description will be provided by October 1, 2025.

Details coming soon! 

NOTE: Program description will be provided by November 1, 2025.

Presenter: Caylen Cole-Hazel

Details coming soon! 

NOTE: Program description will be provided by December 1, 2025.