Almanac

Residents interested in the topic Climate Change: Extinction in our Backyards may join a June 6 evening Zoom presentation offered by the Master Gardener Association of Northwestern Michigan (MGANM) and speaker Dr. Meredith Zettlemoyer. Dr. Zettlemoyer will discuss how climate change, habitat loss, deer grazing, and land use have influenced the extinction of many Michigan native plant species in our backyards.

The Master Gardeners Association of Northwestern Michigan will present this topic via Zoom on Tuesday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. The virtual meeting is open to the public. To register please go to https://mganm.org/mganm-events/. The presentation is free to all MGANM members and $5.00 for non-members.

Join Grand Traverse Conservation District environmental educators for a day full of a wide variety of engaging, hands-on activities. This workshop will include professional development opportunities for teachers, summer camp staff, naturalists, scout leaders, and other environmental educators. Completion of this workshop will provide certification in the following. All educators are welcome. *You do not have to be a k-12 educator to participate in this workshop.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) K-8: Explore your Environment offers educators a wide variety of engaging, hands-on activities, organized into grade bands: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Many activities also suggest variations for doing the activity with a different grade level or audience.

Project WILD (WILD) K-12:
A pre-K through 12 environmental and conservation education program that provides professional development opportunities for teachers and naturalists, emphasizing awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife and natural resources interwoven with English language arts, math and social studies.

Trees: the Super Heroes in Shoreland Protection & Water Quality

This presentation is part of an annual series providing information to help folks better understand and protect our local lakes/streams, shorelands, and the flora and fauna that live there. Most folks are familiar with the fact that through photosynthesis, leaves pull in carbon dioxide and water, then with the help of the sun's energy, convert that into food/sugars for the trees and give off oxygen as a byproduct. In the POLS presentation, Ellie Johnson will elaborate on multiple additional, positive functions tree provide, such as bank stabilization, reduced erosion, carbon sequestration, and soil structure, in addition to providing food sources for many land based and aquatic organisms. She will also discuss the importance of trees to the shoreland ecosystem and how to sustainably maintain trees. Many of these tree functions help sustain/improve water quality. Good water quality adds to the pleasures of water recreation and improves property values. Most importantly, it is life sustaining for all living things.

RSVP is required for both in person and virtual attendance. Go to the Grand Traverse Conservation District website. Sitting is limited.

This FREE program was developed by Discovery Center & Pier in partnership with Inland Seas Education Association, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, & the Northwest Michigan Fishing Club. The program will focus on teaching youth aged 9-14 about Great Lakes food webs & basic fishing techniques. Pre-registration is required. Two sessions will be offered: 9-11:30am (arrive at 8:30am) & 1:30-4pm (arrive at 1pm).

Join the Bellaire Garden club for a plant exchange!

Trees are a critical component of any healthy waterfront as they provide many functions, including bank stabilization, reduced erosion, carbon sequestration, and soil structure, in addition to providing food sources for many land based and aquatic organisms. District Forester Ellie Johnson will discuss the importance of trees to the shoreland ecosystem and how to sustainably maintain this human/surface water interface.
Registration Required. To Register, please visit www.natureiscalling.org/events

Help us restore and protect the incredible ecosystems of Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve and other properties in GTRLC’s southwest region through invasive plant removal! Native wildflowers, mushrooms, trees, and shrubs that rely on these healthy habitats are currently under threat of being displaced by aggressive invasive plants.

The Basics:
GTRLC supplies gloves, tools, water, and snack bars. We will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, forest health, and the importance of the work you will be doing. No experience necessary - just come ready to learn something new! Be sure to sign in at registration when you arrive. This activity is moderately strenuous, with volunteers often bending and kneeling to dig out plants.

The Conservancy follows state, federal and CDC guidelines for COVID-19 and may modify or cancel this event at any time. Do not participate in any activity if you were recently exposed (within 10 days) to someone with COVID-19 or have recently (within 10 days) been diagnosed with COVID-19.

What volunteers will do:
Throughout the field season, staff and volunteers will focus on removing different species, including:
Garlic mustard May - June
Baby’s breath and dune invasives July - August

What should I bring?
Dress for the weather! Always check the forecast in advance
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes that can handle some mud
Bring a reusable water bottle and some snacks
Sunscreen and bug spray for your safety and comfort

Directions:
A map link to the site location can be found on our workday calendar at https://www.gtrlc.org/volunteer/calendar/

Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact Erica DesJardins at edesjardins@gtrlc.org or 231-929-7911 (ext. 316).

Bring us your bugs, weeds, and plant diseases, for identification and recommendations!

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) will once again host a Plant Diagnostics Clinic at the Benzonia Public Library.   Staffed by MSU-E employees and Extension Master Gardeners, the diagnostics clinic will assist residents with plant pests and diseases, lawns, bug or weed identification and recommendations.  For questions about the MSUE diagnostics clinic, call 231-256-9888 or email waltonn2@msu.edu.

Trade in your invasive Japanese barberry plants for coupons! A win-win for you and the environment.

This first event of THREE happening in Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Manistee counties next month. Pre-register and physically bring the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) barberry plants from your landscape to the Manistee Conservation District on Tuesday, June 13th from 4pm-7pm to exchange for FREE coupons - $5 off per plant (up to $50) - to the participating local Go Beyond Beauty businesses.

For participating businesses & to register (required): www.habitatmatters.org/japanese-barberry-trade-up-day

Join the Leelanau Conservation District on Wednesday, June 14th, for a two-part Pollinator Workshop! LCD will be joined by pollinator experts Connie Crancer (Pollinator Partnership) and Kay Charter (Saving Birds Through Habitat) to provide an educational classroom workshop and field day focused on creating native habitat for bees, butterflies, and everything in between.
A $15 registration fee will cover your choice of lunch from Fiddleheads in Lake Leelanau. We hope you can make it! Register by contacting our office via our website -leelanaucd.org or calling 231.256.9783. June 9th will be the last day for registration.