New date! Herbicide Dauber Construction
March 8, Monday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $30 for members/$40 for non-members
Location: Blandford Nature Center
Click here to register now!
Build your own herbicide wand applicator ("herbicide dauber") with The Nature Conservancy's Jack McGowan-Stinski, the designer of this useful restoration tool. Participants will construct a second applicator to donate to the Blandford Nature Center (BNC). Finally, the group will go out into BNC natural areas to learn the tips and tricks to using a dauber and help eradicate woody invasives threatiening BNC.
Bringing Nature Home: A Case for Native Gardening
March 29, Monday 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Cost: Free, donations to the Grand Rapids Audubon Club greatly appreciated
Location: Ladies' Literary Club (61 Sheldon Boulevard Southeast, Grand Rapids)
Click Here to Register Now!
The use of native plants in our landscapes promotes biodiversity and fights against the destruction caused by invasive plants. Come learn about the national discussion on native landscaping, spurred by the research of Doug Tallamy, Professor and Chair of the Deparment of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware.
Magic Ponds: Vernal Pond Monitoring and Salamander Survey
April 24, Saturday 9:30 am to 12:00 noon
Cost: $3 per individual/$10 per family
Location: Howard Christensen Nature Center
Click Here to Register Now!
Learn about the importance of vernal ponds, why we should protect them and the animals that call them home. Then, go outside to find salamanders, tadpoles and other little known creatures.
Garlic Mustard Removal
May 8, Saturday 10:00 am to 12:00 noon"
Cost: Free
Location: Hager Park, Seidman Park, Fallasburg Park, Johnson Park, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Ada Township Park, Aman Park
Join the West Michigan effort to keep garlic mustard from degrading our most precious natural areas. Keep an eye on the Stewardship Network website for additional garlic mustard pulling location in the West Michigan Cluster.
Annual Meeting
August 24, Tuesday 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Fallasburg Park (1124 Fallasburg Park Drive Northeast, Lowell, MI)
Click Here to Register Now!
Come learn about the progress the West Michigan Cluster has made in the year 2010, including the results of the first year of the Early Detection/Rapid Response program. At the end of the meeting, participants will be invited to eradicate oriental bittersweet from the park.
Woody Species Eradication
September 11, Saturday 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Cost: Free
Location: Howard Christensen Nature Center
Click Here to Register Now!
Come learn to identify many of the most common invasive plants in West Michigan along with tips and tricks on how to eradicate them. Then, get hands on experience removing these species from HCNC.
Demystifiying the Grasses
September 21, Tuesday 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Bunker Interpretive Center at Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve
Click Here to Register Now!
Join Dr. Dave Warners for a seminar on grass identification and ecology. We will learn basic skills for recognizing some of our more common grasses, their contirbutions to the local ecology, and which habitiats support which native grass species. Problematic non-native grasses will be highlighted, although the emphasis will be on increasing understanding and appreciation for native grass species. Particular attention will be given to those species that can be used in home landscaping.
Invasive Species Planning
October 13, Wednesday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon"
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Hemlock Crossings (8115 West Olive Road, West Olive)
Click Here to Register Now!
Walk the trails of Hemlock Crossing to learn how to develop a quick plan of attack for invasive plant species. This workshop will focus on how private property owners and organizations alike can maximize their invasive species control efforts.
