Growing through Education - wildflowersmich.org · (very southern Texas) when were there, but again...

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Growing through Education

Summer 2005 • Volume 10, Number 3

Inside this issue. . .

I Didn’t Know That! 2

Association News & Views: 3

Calendar

Regional Reports4

KNC Begins Tall Grass Prairie 5

In the Spotlight: 6

Ann Arbor’s Natural Areas

Autumn Affair for Gardeners 9

Business & Organization 10

Member Directory

Help Wanted!

www.wildflowersmich.org

Our missionis to promote, coordinate,and participate in education, enjoyment, science, and stewardship of native wildflowers and their habitats— including promoting public education of proper principles, ethics, and methods of landscaping with native wildflowers and associated habitats.

Chasing SpringbyMarjiFuller

Ireadsomewherethatdoingtheunex-pectedisthemostfun.Thatturnedouttobetruewhenmyhusband,Don,andIstartedourthirdretirementtripthispastMarchrightafterthe2005Michi-ganWildflowerConference.Thiswasnotjustourthirdtripafterretirementbutourfirsttripafterretiringfromourthirdcareerchange.OurplansweretogotoTexasforMarchandApril,whichwedid.However,most

ofAprilwasspentinArkansas,whichwehadnotplanned.Thisearlytripandasubsequentoneto

NebraskainJuneendedupasapro-longedenjoymentofspringwildflowers.Howcanthatbe,youask?Welltheunexpectedhappenedonourlongwayhomethroughnorth-ernMinnesota,Wisconsin,andMichigan’sUp-perPeninsula.LetmegobacktospringinTexasbeforewegettoofaralonginthistale.Thefirstflow-

erswesawwerethehangingwisteriawhich,ofcourse,aren’t

native,buttheyweremassiveplantsgrowinguptalltreesandverybeautiful.ThesewereinTexar-kana,anditwasstillearlyspringthere.Itwasn’tuntilweweredownatPadreIslandNationalSeashorethatwestartednoticingseveralspeciesofwildflowers.Unfortunately,Ididn’tbuyaTexaswild-flowerbookuntilwewereoverattheBigThicketNationalPreserveonourwayhome.Nextyear,I’llbeabletoidentifytheflowerswesee.Theprickly-pearcactuswasjustabout

toburstintobloomalloverthevalley(verysouthernTexas)whenwerethere,butagainwelefttoosoon,anxioustoget

Prickly pear cactus, yuccas and Texas bluebonnets grow together in the sandy soil of the Texas Hill Country.

Pleasesee“ChasingSpring”onpage8

� WILDFLOWERS • Summer 2005

I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!

ThisisYOURcolumn.Sendquestionsaboutnativeplantsandwildflowerstooureditor,KathyJohnson,11155HastingsPointRoad,Middleville,MI49333orE-mailto:klundjohnson@charter.net.

Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve13988RangeLineRoad,Niles,Michigan49120-9042269.695.6491•http://www.fernwoodbotanical.org

This“livingmuseum”consistsof105acres,55ofwhichareanaturalpreservecontaining10diversenativeecosystems.Protectedinthepreservearemorethan40speciesofendan-geredorthreatenednativeMichiganplantsandanimals,mostofwhichcanbeviewedalongtwomilesofrustictrails.InAprilandMay,thewoodlandsarebrilliantwithanarrayofwildflow-ers.A5-acrereconstructedtallgrassprairie,demonstratingthehabitatthatoncecoveredone-thirdofNorthAmerica,preservesagenepoolofmorethan150speciesnativetotheregion.Summerandfallproduceaseaofgrassesandflowersthatcanbeidentifiedusingaguideavailableinthegiftshop.Onehundredtwenty-fivedifferentfernscanbefoundintheKayBoydstonFernHouse,a1,000squarefootconservatorywithinthePlymVisitorCenter.Alsowithinthevisitorcenterareagiftshopofferingbooks,artworks,educationaltoysandfloralarrangements;thePlantShoppe,openfrommid-AprilthroughOctoberandfeaturingavarietyofrareplantsandna-tivespecies;andtheClarkGallery,displayingtheworkoflocalartists,allinthegenreofnatureandgardening.TheFernwoodCafé,featuringsoups,sandwichesanddesserts,isopenTuesdaythroughSundayfromnoonuntil3p.m.;duringthesummer,acompletebuffetisavailableonSaturdaysandSundays.SummerHours:(openallyear)Tuesday-Saturday:10:00a.m.-6:00p.m.Sunday:Noon-6:00p.m.•AlwaysclosedonMondaysAdmission:Adults$5.00,Seniors(65+)$4.00,Students(13–19)$3.00,Children(6-12)$2.00,Children( 5andunder)free,membersfree

Kalamazoo Nature Center7000NorthWestnedgeAvenueKalamazoo,MI49009(269)381-1574http://www.naturecenter.orgSituatedon1100acresonlytenminutesnorthofdowntown

Kalamazoo,thisaward-winningnaturecenterboasts11milesofhikingtrailswindingthroughmaturebeech-mapleforests,wetlandhabitatsandrestoredprairie.ThepopularHumming-bird-ButterflyGarden,locatedinthearboretum,showcasesmanynativeplants.IntheButterflyHouse,onecanobservebutterfliesandlearnaboutthenativeplantstheyrelyonforsurvival.Thereisabountyofwildflowerstoenjoythroughoutthecenter’srollingterrain.InearlyMay,thebeech-mapleforestfloorbloomswithcloseto40woodlandflowers,includ-ingblue-eyedMary,raretothestate.FromJunetoOctober,thenaturecenter’sprairiecomesalivewithaparadeofcolor.Theearlyautumndisplayofnativegrassescomplementsthesurroundingforests.Indoors,theaward-winningexhibitsoftheInterpretiveCenterfurtherencourageappreciationofthenaturalareas.TheInterpretiveCenteralsofeaturesawildlifeviewingroom,artgallery,“bughouse,”andliveanimals.StrollthroughtheSun–RainRoomunderthecenter’ssignatureglassdomeandspyonthecreaturesinthissimulatedtropicalforest.Snacksandbeverages,purchasedinthegiftshop,canbeen-joyedinthepicnicareasfoundinthearboretum.Educationalprogramsareofferedallyearlongandspecialevents,suchastheMapleSugarFestivalinspringandSeptember’sBluegrassFestival,drawcrowdseagertoimmersethemselvesinthebeautyofthenaturalsetting.Springandfallnativeplantsalestopofftheattractions.

Hours:Monday–Saturday:9a.m.to5p.m.Sunday:1to5p.m.Admission:Adults$5.50,Seniors( 55+)$4.00,Children(4–13)$3.50,( 3andunder)free,KNCmembersfree.

DearWildflowers:

MyparentsarecomingtovisitthissummerandIwouldliketotakethemtoseesomeofthenaturalareasofMichiganwheretheycanexperienceournativebeauty.Canyourecommendseveralplaces?

Thanks,HeleninHastings

DearHelen:

Whatagreatquestion!TherearethreebeautifulareasinWestMichiganthatwouldmakegreattripsforyouandyourparents.TheyareFernwoodBotanicalGardenandNaturePreserveinNiles,

theKalamazooNatureCenter,andSleepingBearNationalLakeShore.Enjoy!

Pleasesee“IDidn’tKnow”onpage9

�Volume 10, Number 3

Association News & ViewsCalendar—Summer/Fall 2005

Kalamazoo Nature CenterAugust 4–GuidedMorningBirdHike7:30a.m.to9:00a.m.Joinusinanexcursiontolookforbirdsastheygoabouttheirendofsummerroutines.August 7–PlantsofthePrairie2:00p.m.TakeastrollthroughthesunnyprairiewithKNCnaturalist,KaraHaas.Learnabouttheimportanceofprairiesandidentifytheplantsandanimalsthatlivethere.August 14–MonarchMadness2:00p.m.to3:30p.m.LearnaboutthisamazingspeciesofbutterflywhileonawalkthroughtheArboretumandButterflyHouse.(Allaboveeventsarefreetomembers;non-membersmustpayfee/priceofadmissiontocenter.)August 26 and 27–Cooper’sGlenMusicFestivalEnjoygreatmusicandfamilyeventsontheKNCgroundsduringthisex-citingtwo-dayevent.Bringyourpicnicbasketandlawnchairsandhavesomesummerfun!(Callfortickets:269.381.1574)September 17–FallPlantSale9a.m.–2p.m.Wewillbeoffer-ingMichigannativewildflowers,grasses,andshrubs.ContactSuzieKnollat269.381.1574formoreinformation.

Michigan Nature AssociationAugust 10–WorkdayatHelmerBrook(CalhounCounty)Helpremovewoodyinvasivesfromauniquewetprairie.August 13–WorkdayatButternutCreek(BerrienCounty)Helpremovewoodyinvasivesfromthishighqualityprairiefen.August 19–WorkdayatLefglen(JacksonCounty)Helpre-movewoodyinvasivesfromtheprairiefenandwoodeduplandhabitat.August 20–FieldTriptoSaginawWetlands(HuronCounty)Enjoyawalkthroughthishigh-qualitylakeplainprairie,guidedbyStanKuchta.AvailabletoMNAmembersonly.August 20–WorkdayatTrilliumRavine(BerrienCounty)Helpremovewoodyinvasivesfromthisrichwoodland.August 20–FieldTriptoCedarRiver(AntrimCounty)Enjoyawalk,guidedbyChadPastotnik,alongbeautifultroutstreamsurroundedbydeciduouswoods.August 24–WorkdayatHelmerBrook(CalhounCounty)Helpremovewoodyinvasivesfromauniquewetprairie.August 31–WorkdayatDowagiacWoods(CassCounty)Helpremovewoodyinvasivesfromthisrichwoodland.September 3–WorkdayatLostLake(OgemawCounty)Wewillbeclearingtreesfromoureasementatthisbeautifulcedarswampnestledinthe4500-acreRifleRiverRecreationArea.September 7–WorkdayatPalmerMemorialSanctuary(KalamazooCounty)Helpusremovewoodyinvasivesfromthisbeautifulprairiefen.September 10–WorkdayatHudspethMemorialSanctuary(LivingstonCounty)Helpremovewoodyinvasivesfromthissanctuary. Pleasesee“Calendar”onpage7

September 16–WorkdayatSarahJane’sSanctuary(HillsdaleCounty)Helpremovewoodyinvasivesfromthishigh-qualityforestedfloodplain.September 10–FieldTriptoEstivantPines(KeweenawCoun-ty)Hikethisbeautifulold-growthforest,ledbyTedSoldan.September 23-25–MemberSocialEventintheKeweenawSanctuariesBustriptotheKeweenaw,withtoursofEstivantPines,Redwyn’sDunes,GratiotLake,BrockwayMountain,andtheRobertT.BrownEnvironmentalEducationCenter.Formoreinformation,includingcost,visittheWebsitebelow.ReservationsmustbereceivedbyAugust15.ForinformationontheseandotheractivitiessponsoredbyMNA,orformembershipinformation,visittheaboveWebsite,call517.655.5655,ore-mailMichigannature@michigannature.org.

Southwest Michigan Land ConservancySaturday, August 13–WorkdayattheChipmanPreserve(KalamazooCounty)9a.m.tonoonWewillcontinueouroaksavannarestorationeffortsbyremov-ingbrushandplantingnativeflowers.Bringworkglovesandloppers.Saturday, September 10–WorkdayatCarterLakePreserve(BarryCounty)9a.m.tonoon.Helpimprovegrowingcondi-tionsfornativewildflowersandgrassesbyremovinginvasivebrushandspottedknapweed.Bringsturdyworkglovesandinsectrepellent.Wearshoesorbootsthatcangetmuddywhencrossingthewetland.Saturday,October8–WorkdayatSandCreekPreserve(KalamazooCounty)9 a.m.tonoonHelpwithourgrasslandrestorationeffortsbycollectingandsowingseedsonsite.Wearsturdyfootwearandbringworkgloves.Contactusat269.324.1600foradditionalinformationaboutanyoftheseworkdays.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreThrough Summer—Rangersareconductinginterpretivepro-gramsthroughoutthenationallakeshore.Formoreinforma-tion,visitourwebsiteat<http://www.nps.gov/slbe/home.htm>andclickonEveningProgramsRangerProgramsfortheentirelisting.

Wild Ones, Kalamazoo ChapterAugust 27–FieldTriptoSpringValleyPark(Kalamazoo)10a.m.BillMartinuswillshowusthesurprisingbotanicaldiversityofKalamazoo’slargestpark.Woodlands,edgehabitat,swampandamanmadelakefedbySpringValleyCreeksharethepark’s180acres.WhileconductingabotanicalsurveyfortheCityParksDepartment,Billhasdiscoveredanexceptionalvarietyofplants,bothnativeandnon-native,creatinganim-portantnaturalareainanurbansetting.UnusualtreeslikebaldcypressandOhiobuckeyealsomaketheirhomeinthepark.

REGIONAL REPORTSWe’rehearingfromsomeofyouwithinformationyouwanttoshareinRegionalReports,andwe’dliketogetmoreofyouinvolved!We’dlovetohearfromconservationdistricts,WildOneschapters,stateandnationalforestrepresentatives,theDNRandMDOT,localnaturecenters,etc.—aswellasprivateindividuals.Weknowexcitingthingsarehappeningeverywhere—wejustneedsomeonetotellusaboutit!PleasesendyourreportstoKathyJohnsonbyE-mail(klundjohnson@charter.net)orU.S.mailto11155HastingsPointRoad,Middleville,MI49333.Welookforwardtohearingfromyoubeforethenextnewsletter!

Manistee National Forest— Pat Ruta McGhan reports…

TheManisteeNationalForestwillbeplantingnativeplantspe-ciesattheLodaLakeWildflowerSanctuaryinAugustandearlySeptember.Volunteersarewelcometoparticipateinplantingevents.Datesareyettobedetermined.Ifinterested,callbota-nist,PatRutaMcGhan,at231.745.4631ext.3102,afterAugust1fordates.Thefocuswillbeonenhancingspeciesdiversityintheoldorchardandinareaspreviouslygrowinginvasiveperi-winkle.

Wild Ones, Red Cedar Chapter— Mark Ritzenhein reports…

Thechapterenjoyeditsfirstmembers’canoeoutingontheGrandRiveronJune11.TentativeplansareunderwaytohelpstartanativeplantgardenatEastLansingHighSchool.Chap-termembersparticipatedintheWilliamstonRedCedarRiverclean-upthisMay,andchapterpresident,MarkRitzenhein,ishelpingthecitycreateanativelandscapethere.Inaddition,MarkhasinauguratedanativeplantgardenattheUptonCon-servatoryontheOlivetCollegecampus.FormoreinformationonthisLansingareachapter,contact

MarkS.Ritzenheinat517.336.0965.

Jackson Conservation District— Sharon Parker reports...

WeheldanativeplantsalehereinJacksononMay20ththatwaswellreceived,andwearestartingtoplanforthe2006sale.Westillhavesomebeautifulplantsavailable;theycanbeviewedonourWebsiteat<http://www.jacksoncd.org>.InSep-temberwewillbetakingordersforourfalltreesale.TheorderformwillbeavailableintheofficeandonourWebsitebegin-ningSeptember1st.September17thisFarmfestinJacksonCounty;GeeFarmswillbeonthetourthisyear.

Region 2— Northern L.P. Region 4— Southeast

Rough blazing star (Liatris aspera)

Kalamazoo Nature Center Begins Tall Grass Prairie Planting ProjectTheKalamazooNatureCenterissow-ingthefirstseedsinitsnativetallgrassprairie.Eventuallycovering130acreswithcarefullyselectedlocalgenotypesofspeciesofgrassesandwildflowers,theprojecthasgeneratedexcitementthroughoutthestate.KNChaspart-neredwiththeU.S.FishandWildlifeSer-vice,theUSDAandtheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesinboththeplanningandfundingofthisdecade-longvision.TheU.S.D.A.’sconservationist,EdwinAlmodovar,assertsthat“ThisprairierestorationsitewillbeaveryuniqueoneinKalamazooCounty,anditwillbeofvaluableimportancetothewildlifecommunity.ItwillbethebiggestprairieprojectthatUSDA-NRCShasworkedwithinthearea.”Atypicalprairiewouldbeplantedwith

seedsgatheredfromalloverthecountrybut,inthiscase,painstakingcarewasexercisedinfindinglocalseed.Thisfu-tureMichigantreasurewilltakeapproxi-matelythreeyearstomature,accordingtoJerryStewart,theprojectcontractor.“Duringthefirstyearwewillseethesmallplantsemerge,withmostoftheen-ergygoingintorootdevelopment.”Withcuriousnameslikerattlesnakemasterandwhitewildindigo,theflowersandgrasseswillshowmoretopgrowthinthesecondyear,alongwithcontinuedrootdevelopment,withabovegroundgrowthbecomingprominentinthethirdyear.Withtheestablishmentofatruetall

grassprairie,naturalistsanticipatethereturnofdecliningavianspecies,suchastheeasternmeadowlark,bobolinkandsedgewren,awholesuiteofgrasslandsparrows,includingvesper,savannah,grasshopperandHenslow’sand,possibly,thenorthernharrier,whichneedslargegrasslandareastothrive.Alongwiththemanybirdspecies,atrueprairieattractsfoxes,turtles,coyotes,andcount-lessothermammals.Wildlifehabitatbiologist,ChristopherHoving,fromtheMichiganD.N.R.,adds,“SouthernMichiganhistoricallyhadextensive

grasslands,andIamexcitedtoseeapor-tionofthatlandscaperestored.ManyofthewildlifespeciesinMichiganthatareindeclinearesomehowassociatedwithlargegrasslands.TheD.N.R.ispleasedtobeabletoassistprivatelandownersliketheKalamazooNatureCenterincreat-inghabitatforrarespecies.”Thetallgrassprairiewillbelocated

alongWestnedgeAvenueattheKalama-zooNatureCenter,anon-profitorga-nizationdedicatedtoinspiringpeople

tocareabouttheenvironmentbyprovidingexperiencesthatleadthemtounderstandtheirconnectiontothenaturalworld.Formoreinformation,please

calltheKalamazooNatureCen-terat269.381.1574orvisit<http://www.naturecenter.org>.

This picture of a mature prairie is from the Prairie Nursery 2002 catalog (www.prairienursery.com). It gives some idea of what the new Kalamazoo Nature Center Tall Grass Prairie will look like in three to five years. Native grasses like big bluestem, little bluestem, side-oats grama, and Indian grass are some of the species needed to grow with the wildflowers. The strong stalks of grass support the flowers as they grow and bloom. Prescribed burns will be part of the maintenance plan to nourish and maintain the tall grass prairie.

Haveyoueverhadajobyou’veenjoyedsomuchthatyou’dworkforfree?Amazingco-workers,awonderfuloffice,caringsupervisors,andbestofall,workthatgetsyouintonature?TheseareallthingswehaveatNaturalAreaPreservation(adivisionoftheCityofAnnArbor).They’realsoreasonswhyhundredsofvolunteersworkwithuseveryyear.MembersofthegreaterAnnArborcommunitygivetheirtimetohelponourprescribedburncrew,withourinventoryefforts,atstew-ardshipworkdays—infacttheyareintegraltoallaspectsofourwork.ThisinvolvementhasledtonumerousbenefitstoourorganizationandthenativeecosystemsinAnnArbor.NAP’smissionistoprotectand

restoreAnnArbor’snaturalareasandtofosteranenvironmentalethicamongitscitizens.Inatimeofshrinkingbudgetsandtighten-ingbelts,NAPhasseenincreasesinfunding—whichislikelyattrib-utedtothecommunitysupportwearefortunatetohave.Infact,NAPwascreatedin1993bythepass-ingofavoter-approvedmillagefundingtherepairandrestora-tionofthecity’sparklands.Thismillagehasbeenrenewed3timeswith70%approvalrates.Sowehavehadagreatamountofcom-munitysupporttobeginwithandhaveincreaseditthroughcitizeninvolvement.Inthepast,decadepaidstaff

andvolunteershaveinventoriedbreedingbirds,butterflies,plants,salamanders,frogs,andtoadsthroughoutourparks,finding30state-listedspeciesandfocusingourrestorationwork.Weoversee1,200acresof“naturalareas,”

In the Spot Light

Ann Arbor’s Natural Areas

LaurelMalvitzandJasonFrenzelOutreachCoordinators

someofwhicharepristineecosystemsorhabitats,whilesomearedegradedbyhumanactivitiesorbyinvasionofnon-natives.Bothofthesesettingsarevaluabletothecommunity—intrinsically(duetothepresenceofgreenspaceorhabitat)orforvariousrecreationaluses.OurConservationCrewandvol-unteershaveworkedtoimproveboththeecosystemsaswellasthehuman-natureinteraction.Eachyear,over500peoplecometoourstewardshipworkdaysanddonatethousandsofhourscuttinginvasiveshrubs;pullinginvasiveplants;restoring,closing,andre-routingtrails;implementingerosioncontroltechniques;collectingandsewingseed;rescuingnativeplants;andonandonthelistgoes!Wehaveagroupofhighly-dedicatedParkStewardswhohelpdoalloftheseactivities,whileassistingusinleading

workdays,developingmanagementplans,andkeepingawatch-fuleyeontheirparks.NAPhasworkedtoincreasethecommunity’sadoptionand

supportoflandscapingwithnativeplants,hopingtolessenoursociety’suseofinvasive,non-nativeplantsandpromotingtheinterconnectednessofnativeecosystems.Forthepastfiveyearswehavehostednativelandscapingworkshops,whichhelppeopledesignandimplementnativeplantings.Theseworkshopshavecometofocusmoreontheethnobotanicalandaestheticaspectsofnativeplants,withtheknowledgethatParkStewardandMasterGardener,AunitaErskinebrings.

A volunteer ignites the oak leaf litter in Hollywood Nature Area. This small neighborhood park has seen great increases in its biodiversity due to prescribed burning. The nature center was removed from the city’s mowing schedule, regaining savannah acreage.

Wehavebeguntodecreasetheamountofmowedturfthatthecitymaintainsintwokeyareas.First,NAPhasidentifiedlocationswherenativesavannasarepresentlybeingmowed.Byeliminatingthemowingintheselocationsthenativeplantshavereboundedverysuccessfully.Thefollow-upinvasivesre-movalandprescribedburningismuchlesstimeconsumingandlessexpensivethanthepreviousmowingregime.Thesecondmajorprojectwastheinstallationofafour-acreprairieinthemedianofoneofourroadways.TheworkforthisprojectwascontractedtoMichiganWildflowerFarm.Thishigh-visibilitydemonstrationhasgreatlyraisedawarenessoftheuseofnatives.

Theincreaseduseofnativesinpeople’syardsledtoare-viewofthecity’svegetationordinance,whichhadpreviouslyrestrictedplantsgrowingabovecertainheights.Thisprocessprovedtobeverytimeintensive,bothforcitystaffandhom-eowners.ThroughmuchcitizenandNAP’sinput,therestric-tionsweredrasticallycutbacktoonlylimitplantmaterialsthatcreatevisibilityproblemsfordrivers,thuscreatingsafetycon-cerns.Althoughtheordinancedoesnotdifferentiatebetweennativesandnon-natives,we’rehappythatthecitynolongerrestrictspeople’schoicesintheiryards.Throughtheyears,NAPhasworkedonmanyeducational

campaignstominimizeparkusers’impactsonournaturalareas.Someofourcampaignsandtheirrelatedissuesinclude:dogsoffleashesdamagingsensitivevegetationanddisturbingwildlife;bikingoff-trailcompactingsoilandcausingseri-ouserosionproblems;introducedspeciesbecominginvasiveproblems;andasanalternative,landscapingwithplantsnativetosoutheasternMichigan.Throughalloftheseeffortstoteachpeoplehowtoberesponsiblewiththeirnaturalareas,we’vefoundthatthebestwaytoensurethattheyprotecttheseloca-tionsistogivethesomeformofownershipoverthesepubliclands.Andafterall,co-ownershipnecessitatesco-stewardship.Ifyou’dlikemoreinformationaboutNAP,oryou’dliketo

volunteerwithNAP,pleasecontactus!LaurelandJasoncanbereachedat734.996.3266orvisit

NAP’swebpage,<www.a2gov.org/nap>.

In Huron Parkway Prairie, a demonstration planting shows the use of native plants along a busy roadway, exhibiting one of the ways municipalities—and homeowners—can incorporate nature into the metropolitan life.

Calendar—Summer/Fall 2005Continuedfrompage3,column2

Blanchard’s cricketfrog, above, and May apples (Podophyllum peltatum), below, are two of the species of frogs and plants listed in the inventories throughout the Ann Arbor Natural Areas.

Theparkraisesinterestingmanagementandrestorationissues.ThisisajointfieldtripwithSouthwestMichiganChapteroftheMichiganBotanicalClubandSouthwestMichiganLandConservancy(SWMLC).ContactBeckyCsiaat269.353.3522formoreinformation.

Michigan Prescribed Fire CouncilSeptember 9 and 10–6thAnnualWorkshop,TheRoleofPrescribedBurningontheMichiganLandscape,bytheMichiganPrescribedFireCouncilatKalamazooNatureCenterandFortCusterMilitaryTrainingArea.

Friday, September 9–Registration:8a.m.–9a.m.Workshop:9a.m.–4p.m.PresentationsattheKalamazooNatureCenteronfireecology,natural-communityecologyasimpactedbyfire,effectsoffireapplicationonlandscape,andhowtousefiresafelyandeffectively.

Saturday, September 10–Registration:8a.m.–9a.m.Workshop:9a.m.–3p.m.TraveltoFortCusterMilitaryTrainingAreabybusfromKNCtoviewtreatmentareas.Weatherpermitting,therewillbeaprescribedburn.Registrationformsandcompleteinformationaboutcostsandschedulesareavailableat<http://www.FireCouncil.org>Registration deadline: August 15, 2005.

upintothehillcountrywherewehopeditwouldbealittlecooler.Springinthehillcountryisabsolutelywonderful,ac-cordingtotheFredericksburgChamberofCommerce.WhenIinquiredastothebloomtimeforthemajorityoftheirwildflowers,Iwastoldtheyjustneverknowexactly.It’ssortoflikeourfallcolor—youjustcan’ttellforsurewhenthepeakwillbe.ThecampgroundwherewestayedwasjustuptheroadfromtheWildseedFarms.Veryfewoftheirbigflowerbedswereinbloom,soweknewitwasalatespring.Anotherunexpectedtreatwasseeingthebigclumpofna-tiveyellowcolumbinesgrowinginourcampground.WedidseemanyTexasbluebonnets

andIndianpaintbrushesthatwerebloomingalongtheroadsidesbut,again,wewerejusttooearlyforthepeak.Infact,thereweremanymoreflowersbloomingintheeastTexasareaaroundHoustonandBigThicketNP.WecameuponahugefieldofbloomingpitcherplantsononeoftheBigThickettrails.Thatwasoneofthoseunexpectedeventsmadeevenmoremeaningfulafterlearningallaboutthoseandotherbogplantsatthe2005WildflowerConferencefromFredCaseandDr.Mellichamp.Aswetravelednorth,theredbudanddogwoodtreeswerejustfinishedblooming,andwehopedwewouldseemoreinfullbloomaswewentnorth.OurnextunexpectedsurprisewasfindingawonderfulArkansasstateparknortheastofHotSprings.Thespringbeautiesandbird’s-footvioletswereallovertheplace.Wesawcommonvio-letsonlytwicetheentiretimewereinArkansas.Themountainlaurelwasstillbloomingathigherelevationsinnaturalareas

furthernorth,aswasthecreamywildindigo.Someoftheseflowerswereafirstforme.TherewerehalfadozenIcouldn’tidentify.NexttimeI’llbuyabookforArkansas.Wewerehomethe

monthofMay,andenjoyedourwildflowersherebeforesettingoutforNe-braska.OurScampCampgatheringwasintheSandHillsofNebraska,andtherewereafewearlysum-merwildflowersstartingtobloomjustaswewere

leaving.Weexploredseveralstateparksinthelowerandmid-sectionofMinnesotaonourwaytoDuluthwherewestayedforseveraldays.WetookdaytripstothreestateparksalongthenorthshoreofLakeSuperior,andweretreatedtospringalloveragain.Thecrabappletreesandlilacswerejustbloomingupthere,aswerethebluebells,blue-eyedgrass,andthe

biggestlu-pinesI’deverseenoutsideagarden.Theylookedjustlike“Russell”hybrids,exceptthecolorsweredeeppurple,pink,andwhite.TheselupinesweregrowingacrossthetopofWisconsinandalongU.S.2intheU.P.asfareastasIronRiver.The“frostingonthecake”foruswasgettingtosee

lady’sslippersgrowingatCheboyganStateParkinnorthernMichigan.Itwasworthallthemosquitobitestofindallthree—yellow,pink,andshowy!NextwinterwhenwetraveltoNewMexico,Arizona,andwestTexas,I’llbesuretobuythestatewildflowerguidesbeforeweseeallthoseamazingflowersandstartchasingspringalloveragain.

Happytrails.

Chasing SpringContinuedfromPage1,column2

Yellow columbines (Aquilegia chrysantha) grow in moist, rocky, usually limestone, soils among boulders, in shady crevices of dripping cliffs, and along canyon walls and streams in far west Texas.

Hundreds of pitcher plants have put forth their yellow blooms in a bog along the trail in Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

Giant lupine were blooming across the north country from Minnesota to the middle of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Gardenerscanlearnmoreaboutplantsandhowtopreparethe“bones”oftheirlandscapewhentheSaginawValleyMasterGardenerAssociationhostsitssecondannualfallconference.“AnAutumnAffairforGardeners”willbeheldSaturday,October1,from8:15a.m.to4:30p.m.attheRegionalEducationCenter,OttAuditorium,onthecampusofSaginawValleyStateUniversity.ThekeynotespeakerwillbeBrentHeath,ofBrentandBecky’sBulbs,ahybridizerofdaffodilsandthirdgenerationbulbgrowersinGloucester,Virginia.Top-icswillinclude“BulbsasCompanionPlants,’’examininghowtousebulbswithperennials,annuals,groundcov-ersandfloweringshrubs;and“LovelyLong-lastingLiliesandAwesomeAl-liums,’’whichwilllookateachgenus

Saginaw Valley Master Gardener Association to Host “An Autumn Affair for Gardeners”

anddiscussthebestgrowingpractices.Bothpresentationswillincludeslideshows.AlsoontapisJerrySomalski,owner

ofBayLandscapinginEssexville,whowilltalkabouthowtocreatethebackdropforyourplantingsin“BonesoftheGarden.’’ChuckMartin,DowGardenshorticulturist,willpresent“NativeWoodyOrnamentals,’’anover-viewofhowtheseplantscanprovidescale,structureandleafinterestinthegarden.Inaddition,thenot-for-profitSVMGAwillsellbulbsasafund-raiser,andothervendorswillbepresent.ParticipantsdonothavetobeMasterGardenerstoattend.(MasterGarden-erswillreceivefoureducationhours.)TheSaginawValleyMasterGardener

Associationiscomprisedof168men

andwomencertifiedthroughtheMichiganStateUniversity-sponsoredprogram.Someoftheirvolunteerproj-ectsincludeplantingsattheSaginawChildren’sZoo,SaginawArtMuseumGardenWalk,SaginawTownshipPlayscapeandAndersenEnrichmentCenterRoseGarden.Theconferencecosts$50,andin-

cludeslunchandsnacks.Theregistra-tiondeadlineisFriday,September16.Brochureswithregistrationformsareavailableat<http://www.msue.msu.edu/mastergardener/saginaw>.Formoreinformation,contactJudyHenningat989.799.4136,orAileenCowanat989.865.8784,orE-mailjudrich@sbcglobalorscratchcreations@worldnet.att.net.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore0022FrontStreetEmpire,Michigan49630-9797Phone:231.326.5134http://www.nps.gov/slbe/Manitou Island TransitP.O.Box591Leland,MI49654Phone:231.256.9069http://www.leelanau.com/manitou/

Thisnationalparkiscomprisedofalmost57,000acresoffederallandandmorethan14,000acresofnon-federalland,with35acresstretchingalongLakeMichigan’seasterncoast-line.NorthandSouthManitouislandsarealsoincluded.Theparkcontainsdiversenaturalfeaturesincludingbeech/mapleforestsandfieldsandmagnificentduneformationswithalargevarietyofdunewildflowersthathaveadaptedforsur-vivalinthedry,sandyenvironment.Thereare13establishedhikingtrailsthroughoutthepark.Thelackofdeeronthe5,000-acreSouthManitouIslandhasallowedwildflowerstoflourish.Thereareapproximately12speciesofnativeorchidsontheisland,inadditiontomanyspringwoodlandwildflow-

ersandduneflowers.ForadaytriptoSouthManitouIsland,useManitouIslandTransit,locatedatFishtownDockinLe-land,anartsyhistoricfishingvillageabout15milesnortheastoftheofficialparkentrance.TheVillageCheeseShanty,nearthedock,canprovideyouwithatake-alongpicniclunch.Campingopportunitiesaboundonbothislandsandinthemainlandpark(seeWebsiteforadditionalcampinginformationandfees).Alsoavailableonthemainlandareranger-lednaturewalks,avisitorcenterwithexhibits,interpretiveprogramsandabook-store.TheDuneCenterhousesabookstoreandisstockedwithclothingitems,toysandvideos.TheMaritimeMuseumhasspecialprogramsandexhibitsthroughoutthesummermonths.

Hours:(openallyear)•VisitorCenter:9a.m.to4p.m.Yearround(9a.m.to6p.m.–Summer)DuneCenter:10a.m.to4p.m.mid-Maytomid-OctoberMaritimeMuseum:10a.m.to5p.m.–lateMaytoSeptember(weekendsonlythroughSeptember)Admissiontothepark:•$7.00foranon-commercialvehicle(validsevendays)•$15.00foranAnnualParkPass–validforoneyearfrompurchase•(Seewebsitefordetailsandcampingfees<http://www.nps.gov/slbe/>.)•ManitouIslandTransitfees(roundtrip):Adults$23,Children(12andunder)$13.(Doesnotincludeparkentrancefee.)

I didn’t Know That!Continuedfrompage2,column2

10 WILDFLOWERS • Spring 2005

Business & Organization Member DirectoryAda Township Parks Dept.WendyTatar,P.O.Box370,AdaMI49301,616.676.0520,E-mail:parkwendy@ada.mi.us

Ann Arbor Parks Dept, Natural Areas Preservation DivisionDaveBorneman,1831TraverRoad,AnnArborMI48105.Phone:734.996.3266,E-mail:dborneman@ci.annarbor.mi.us.

Benzie Conservation DistrictMaryPitcher,P.O.Box408,BeulahMI49617.Ph.231.882.4391,Fax:231.882.9767E-mail:marypitcher@charterinternet.com

Borneman ConsultingDavidBorneman,1123MixtwoodStreet,AnnArborMI481103.Ph.734.994.3475,E-mail:davidborneman@yahoo.com

Brian Zimmerman & Associates434MonroeStreet,TraverseCityMI49684.Ph.231.929.7400,E-mail:buz206@aol.com

Canton Township PlanningLeighThurston,1150S.CantonCenter,CantonMI48188-1699.Ph.734.394.5170,Fax:734.394.5157E-mail:lthurston@canton-mi.org

Creekside Herbs & ArtWendyWagoner,LesCheneauxIslands,752N.BlindlineRd,CedarvilleMI49719Ph.906.484.2415.E-mail:creekside@cedarville.net.<http://www.creekside-herbs.com/>.

Designs By NatureVernStephensandSueTangora,9874ChadwickRd.,Laingsburg,MI48848Ph.517.651.6502,Vern’spager:517.251.8585.E-mail:designsbynature@hotmail.com

Edison Environmental Science Academy924RusselStreet,Kalamazoo,Ml49001.Ph.269.337.0550.

Fertile Crescent NurseryLeilaBradfield,8110WestMLAvenueKalamazooMI49009-9434Ph.269.372.1598.(NoE-mail)

Flushing Township Nature ParkThomasEnright,8293N.McKinleyRd.,FlushingMI48433.Ph.810.659.6161,Fax810.659.4212.E-mail:ftnp@usol.com.

Gaia GrassJeanandCraigWeirich,3947E.St.JosephGrandLedge,MI48837.Ph.517.627.7927Fax517.622.5918,E-mail:jean@gaiagrass.com.<www.gaiagrass.com>

Geum Services, Inc.StephenAllen,Cell269.370.0150andLoriPhalen,Cell269.370.0984.P.O.Box035,Richland,MI49083-0034.E-mail:stevea@prairiesmoke.com.<www.prairiesmoke.com>

Good Earth Landscape and Interior Design, Inc. MichaelA.Saint,6126SnowappleDrive,Clarkston,MI48346.Ph.248.620.7188Email:goodearthlandscapeinc@juno.com

GreenWorks Development, LLC SpencerCooreman,2360EastDelhiRd.,AnnArborMI48103.Ph.734.355.0884,Fax:734.663.0588,E-mail:cooreman@ameritech.net

JFNew & JFNew Native Plant NurseryDaveNicholson,ClientRelations,600S.BeaconBlvd.,Ste.A,GrandHavenMI49417.Phone:616.847.1680,E-mail:DNicholson@jfnew.com.H.Q.:708RooseveltRd.,WalkertonIN46574Ph.574.586.3400,Fax:574.586.3446,E-mail:<www.jfnew.com/><www.jfnewnursery.com/>

JZ EnvironmentalJanetZynda,4720BaldwinRoad,Metamora,MI48455.Ph.810.797.4076E-mail:jzenvironmental@msn.com

Kalamazoo Nature CenterSuzieKnoll,7000N.WestnedgeAvenue,Kalamazoo,Ml49009,Ph.269.381.1574E-mail:sknoll@naturecenter.org,Fax:269.381.2257<www.naturecenter.org>.

Manistee National ForestPatRutaMcGhan,BoxD,650N.Michi-ganAvenue,Baldwin,MI49304.Phone231.745.4631Ext.160,Fax231.745.2345.E-mailpat_ruta@hotmail.com.

MCC Gardening AssociationMottCommunityCollege,RebeccaGale,Advisor.1401EastCourtSide,FlintMI48503.Phone810.762.0455,E-mail:rgale@mcc.edu,Fax:810.762.0454Forinformation,goto<http://www.mcc. edu/clubs/gardening/garden_index.shtml>

Mary Ann’s Michigan Trees and ShrubsMaryAnnMenck,28092M-40Hwy,PawPawMI49079.Ph.269.628.2474,E-mail:mamenck@mei.net

Michigan Meadow PerennialsNatalieHockamier,112CollegeNE,GrandRapids,MI49503.Ph.616.451.2732E-mail:natt718@yahoo.com.<www.geocities.com/natt718>

Michigan Wildflower FarmEstherDurnwald,11770CutlerRoad,PortlandMl48875.Ph.517.647.6010,E-mail:wildflowers@voyager.net.<www.michiganwildflowerfarm.com>

Missaukee Conservation DistrictSherryL.Blaszak,Administrator,6180W.SanbornRd.,Ste3,LakeCity,MI49651.Ph.231-839-7193Fax:231-839-5411.<www.missaukeecd.mi.nacdnet.org>

Native ConnectionsJerryStewart,62791ShafferRoad,Con-stantine,MI49042•Cell:269.580.4765,Home/Fax:269.435.2208,E-mail:jerry@nativeconnections.net.

Native Plant NurseryGregVaclavek,P.O.Box7841,AnnArbor,MI48107-7841.Ph.734.677.3260.E-mail:plants@nativeplant.com.<www.nativeplant. com>

Nativescape LLCChrisLehr,10380ClintonRoad,Man-chesterMl48I58.Phone517.456.9696,E-mail:chrisl@nativescape.net.<www.nativescape.net>

Nature and Nurture LLCEricaKempterandMikeLevine,1148thSt.,AnnArbor,MI48103.Phone734.929.0802E-Mail:info@natureandnurture.org

Nesta Prairie PerennialsStephanKeto,VanBochove’sFlorist&Greenhouse,1019MillerRoad,Kalamazoo,Ml49001.Ph.800.233.5025or269.343.1669,Fax269.343.0768

Northern Wild Plant & Seed CooperativeWendyWagoner,P.O.Box304,Pickford,MI49774.Ph.906.484.2415<www. creekside-herbs.com>

11Volume 10, Number 3

Business & Organization Directory

Membership Form: New Renew

Category: Household $ 15.00 _________

Business or Organization 60.00 _________

Life member (Household) 400.00 _________

Name ______________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________

City _______________________________________________________

State ____________________ Zip ______________________________

E-mail _____________________________________________________

Phone (day) _____________________ (eve) ________________________

Please make check or money order payable to WAM and mail with this form to:

Wildflower Association of Michigan c/o Jean Weirich, Treasurer 3947 E. St. Joseph Street Grand Ledge, MI 48837

Oak Prairie FarmJimHeinrich,W4642Hwy33,Pardee-villeWI53954.Ph.608.429.3882,E-mail:customercare@oakprairiefarm.com

PlantWise Native LandscapesDavidMindell,224CharlesSt.,AnnArborMI48103.Ph.734.665.7168,Fax734.665.7168E-mail:plantwise@aol.com

R. Vix Kennedy, Inc.VixKennedy,7362HighHillDrive,BrightonMl48116.Ph.810.231.3419,E-mail:mdrvki@chartermi.net<www.horthelp.com>

Sandhill FarmCherylSmithTolley,1125010MileRoad,Rockford,Ml49341.616.691.8214,Fax:616.691.7872,E-mail:cherylt@iserv.net.

Saving Birds Thru HabitatKayCharter,POBox288,Omena,MI49674-0288,Phone:231-271-3738

Sorus Plants LLCLauraLiebler,3998EdmontonCourt.,AnnArborMI48103.Ph.734.678.6685,Fax:734.665.2563,E-mail:info@sorusplants.com<www.sorusplants.com>

Spence Restoration NurseryDougSpence,P.O.Box546,MuncieIN47308.Ph.765-286-7154.E-mail:native@iquest.net

Stonehouse NurseryPattyandJaySteinhauser,9319LauerRoad,BerrienSpringsMI49103.Ph.269.471.2918,Fax269.471.3930,E-mail:stonehse@qtm.net

Truax Company, Inc.JimTruax,4300QuebecAve.N,NewHope,MN55428.Ph.763.537.6639,Fax:763.536-8352,E-mail:Truax@pclink.com.<www.truaxcomp.com>

Wayne County MSU ExtensionKristineHahn,640Temple,6thFloor,DetroitMI48201.Ph.313.833.3275E-mail:hahnk@msue.msu.edu

West Michigan Environmental Action CouncilPatPennell,1514WealthySE,Suite280,GrandRapids,MI49506Ph.616.451.3051,Fax616.451.3054,E-mail:patricia@raingardens.org.

W.M.U. Landscape ServicesChadAvery,Kalamazoo,MI49008

Wetlands NurseryJewelRichardson,P.O.Box14553,SaginawMl48601,Phone989.752.3492,Fax989.752.3096,E-mail:Jewel@Wetlands-Nursery.com<www.wetlands-nursery.com>

Wild Birds UnlimitedRosannKovalcik,20485MackAvenue,GrossePointeWoodsMI48236.Ph.313.881.1410,Fax:313.881.2008

WILDTYPE Design, Native Plants & SeedBillSchneider,900N.EveryRoad,Mason,Ml48854.Ph.517.244.1140.Fax:517.244.1142,E-mail:wildtype@msu.edu.<www.wildtypeplants.com/>

Wild Walk Gardens LLCMaryT.RatelleHepp,P.O.Box2087,Howell,MI48844.Ph.517.548.4536<http://www.wildwalkgardens.com>.

Help Wanted !We are looking for a Managing Editor and several contributing editors for our Wild-flowers Newsletter. This person will be responsible for con-tent—gathering/writ-ing articles—to fill each issue in prepa-ration for type-set-ting and printing. Kathy and Marji will help through the transition. If you are interested in any phase of publishing our newsletter, con-tact Cheryl Tolley at cherylt@iserv.net or phone 616.691.8214.

Your WAM membership expires on the date above your name. This is the only notice you will receive. IF IT’S TIME, PLEASE RENEW.

SUMMER �00� • VOLUME 10 NO. �

Wildflowers NewsletterCopyright©2005,WildflowerAssociationofMichigan.WildflowersnewsletterispublishedquarterlyinJanuary,April,July,andOctoberbytheWildflowerAssociationofMichigan,avolunteer-basednon-profit501(c)(3)organization.AportionofyourmembershipduespaysforyourannualsubscriptiontoWildflowers.URL:http://www.wildflowersmich.org

Editor:Kathryn Lund Johnson•E-mail:klundjohnson@charter.net•Phone:269.795.9691

ManagingEditorandDesigner:Marji Fuller•E-mail:marjif@iserv.net•Phone:269.948.2496

ASSOCIATIONOFFICERS

President:Cheryl S.Tolley • E-mail:cherylt@iserv.net•Phone:616.691.8214

1STVicePresident:Jewel Richardson•E-mail:Jewel@Wetlands-Nursery.com•Phone:989.752.3492

2NDVicePresident:Esther Durnwald•E-mail:wildflowers@voyager.net•Phone:517.647.6010

Secretary:Susan Baldyga-Grubb•E-mail:sbaldyga_grubb@hotmail.com•Phone:517.647.7930

TreasurerandMembershipCoordinator:Jean Weirich•E-mail:weirichj@aol.com•Phone:517.627.7927

EducationGrantCoordinator:Robert Krueger, Ph.D.•E-mail:Robert_Krueger@ferris.edu•Phone:231.591.2236

OfficersPresident CherylS.Tolley1stVicePresident JewelRichardson2ndVicePresident EstherDurnwaldSecretary SusanBaldyga-GrubbTreasurer JeanWeirich

Board of DirectorsSusanBaldyga-Grubb JewelRichardsonMarvinCooley RayRustemEstherDurnwald CherylS.TolleyMarjorieFuller PattiTravioliDarwynHeme JeanWeirichRobertKrueger,Ph.D. MaryannWhitman

Past Presidents Directors EmeritusMarjorieA.Fuller KatherineBriggsStephanKeto MarilynCaseRobertI.Welch KimHermanLouisF.Twardzik PatrickJuddLarryR.Hill StephanKetoKathleenHilbert ValerieReedGeraldSosnowski VernStephensDr.F.GlennGoff AmySueAnneYeip

ThequarterlymeetingsoftheBoardofDirectorsareusuallyinApril,July,October,andJanuary*at9:30A.M.,HancockTurfCenter(FarmLaneandMt.Hope).MichiganStateUniversity,EastLansing,Michigan.Membersarealwayswelcome.

*ContactSusanBaldyga-Grubbat<sbaldyga_grubb@hotmail.com> forspecificdates.

c/o Jean Weirich • 3947 E. St. Joseph • Grand Ledge MI 48837

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