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February 2016

Feb
15

Kissing Cousins and Family Skeletons - The Michigan Flora and Modern Evolutionary Biology

This event has ended
Monday, February 15th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

WildOnes are meeting jointly with the Michigan Botanical Club (HV Chapter)
on Monday, 15 February (instead of Wednesday).

Title: ?Kissing Cousins and Family Skeletons - The Michigan Flora and
Modern Evolutionary Biology

Abstract
Modern evolutionary biology, with its ability to directly access the
genetic material of plants, has revolutionized our understanding of
the evolution of our flora. This has turned up many interesting facets
about how plants in are flora are related, but also has exasperated
people familiar with the traditional names and arrangements of plants.
We will explore the underlying principles behind the re-working of
plant relationships, plus look at some of the interesting and
sometimes remarkable new facts about plants evolution and
relationships.

Brief Bio:
Anton (Tony) Reznicek: Curator, University of Michigan Herbarium.
Although my interests cover the entire Michigan and Great Lakes region
flora, my research specialties focus on sedges, especially systematics
and evolution of the large and complex genus Carex. My interests here
encompass the New World, and I have a special focus on Mexico at this
point, as well as on the Great Lakes region. My work includes
monographic studies of major groups, sectional classification and
nomenclature, and development of new characters useful in sedge
systematics. I am also interested in the phytogeography of the
northeastern North American flora, concentrating on the Great Lakes
region. My primary interests here are plant migration and
colonization, the origin and persistence of relict plant species and
communities, and the determining factors of species richness in plant
communities. I conduct numerous workshops on plant identification,
especially of sedges. I am also an avid gardener with interests,
including native plants and ecologically sustainable gardening, and I
present numerous lectures on these topics to natural history
societies, garden clubs, and other group.

Feb
16

Sierra Club (Huron Valley Group) Meeting - update

This event has ended
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

Sierra Club (Huron Valley Group) Meeting - open to all

The Huron Valley Group's program will now be watching the video "Chasing Ice". All are welcome!
(Dr. Jacqueline Courteau's scheduled presentation has been canceled for this meeting)

Feb
23

Public Meeting on the Ann Arbor Controlled Ecological Burn Program

This event has ended
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Meeting on the Ann Arbor Controlled Ecological Burn Program

NAP (Natural Area Preservation) holds these meetings before our spring and fall burn seasons, to help explain why it does controlled burns, and how valuable they are for ecological restoration.

Feb
24

Training for Ann Arbor Controlled Ecological Burns

This event has ended
Wednesday, February 24th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

NAP conducts prescribed burns in natural areas for a few weeks in early spring and fall. NAP relies on volunteers in this limited time frame. To join the crew, attend the annual burn crew training session?. Participants have the opportunity to engage in all stages of a prescribed burn from burn prep and tool maintenance to laying down fire and fire control. This is NAP?s most physically demanding activity.

Burns are done Monday-Friday, volunteers usually just help in the afternoon during the burn, but can also help with final site prep in the morning.

For more information, see: http://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/NAP/Pages/PrescribedEcologicalBurns.aspx

March 2016

Mar
6

29th Annual Michigan Wildflower Conference (WAM)

This event has ended
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

The Michigan Wildflower Conference is designed for persons who are interested in Michigan native plants and their habitats. There will be general and concurrent sessions both days.
Kellogg Center, Michigan State University

For more information, see: http://www.wildflowersmich.org/index.php?menu=5

Mar
9

Michigan Pollinators and Our Native Plants

This event has ended
Wednesday, March 9th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

Topic: We will discuss pollination, meet the major pollinators in
Michigan.? We will cover the issues affecting pollinators, and and what can
be done to help them.?

Bio?-?Dr. Meghan Milbrath owns and manages The Sand Hill Farm, a small
livestock and queen rearing operation in Munith, Michigan. She began working
bees with her father as a child over 20 years ago, and has been hooked on
bees since.? She is the coordinator of the Michigan Pollinator Initiative at
Michigan State University, where she also recently worked as a postdoctoral
research associate in the?Entomology Department, studying honey bee disease
with Zachary Huang.??She is an active member in the South East Michigan
Beekeeping Association, the Center of Michigan Beekeeping Association, is
the district 2 representative for the Michigan Beekeeping Association, is
the acting president of the Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers and the
coordinator of the Northern Bee Network, an organization dedicated to
promoting sustainable beekeeping in northern climates.

April 2016

Apr
13

Barton Nature Area

This event has ended
Wednesday, April 13th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

We are going to meet at the Barton Nature Area in the west parking lot near the dam and buildings just off West Huron River Drive. There is lots of parking . We will congregate down by the river, then cross the bridge and follow the main trail that connects the two bridges and runs along the railroad tracks. You can always catch up to us. Wear boots and long pants.

Parts of this area contain a remnant of a lovely Oak Savannah with some trees that were able to spread their branches with no interference. They are magnificent. However, where will their successors grow? We will explore the impact of the growing number of deer on oak seedlings. It is easy to miss the damage as you hike along enjoying the birds or the showy goldenrod or the other pleasures of the area. However, once you learn the distinctive profile of deer browse and the resulting deer shrubbery or stumps, you have a better understanding of the pressure on our natural areas.

Remember what Douglas Tallamy said about oak trees: Quercus supports 532 species of Lepidoptera. The caterpillars of those butterflies and moths provide part of the nearly 100% protein diet that our songbirds need to raise their young.

If we have time, you are also invited to come out to our place just 5 minutes down the road. In our neighborhood, the deer herbivory is of a different order of magnitude. You will see what happens when virtually nothing is done to curtail the deer population. (We started in 1999 after much of the permanent damage was done.)

Please come and see what is happening.

May 2016

May
11

A2WO-Plant Sale and Exchange

This event has ended
Wednesday, May 11th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

A2WO-Plant Sale and Exchange at Native Plant Nursery

Once a year, Greg Vaclavek opens his nursery to us for a special sale and informal plant exchange.

If you need native plants or have extras that you would like to share, this is the place. Staff from the nursery will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions. Take advantage of this special opportunity to visit the nursery, which is not open for retail sales at any other time of the year.

Note: Because the Native Plant Nursery is not a retail business, this sale is held with special permission. Please do not visit except during this sale! To purchase plants at other times, stop by the nursery?s booth at the Ann Arbor Farmer?s Market, May through September. Or visit the Native Plant Nursery website at http://www.nativeplant.com.

It?s pleasant and economical to share a ride; please consider carpooling to this event. Or, take the AATA bus, route #7.

Note:
Time: 6:00pm (Please note we are starting earlier than usual.)
Location: 3052 Nordman Road (entrance on Butternut, west of Nordman)

June 2016

Jun
8

Water, Wind, Wildflowers, EAB, and Deer. Our Adventures on 5 Acres

This event has ended
Wednesday, June 8th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

Jim and I are looking forward to sharing our ongoing adventures with the elements, the bugs, and the animals. Come and see our rain garden which was designed to capture water flowing under the ground. See what happened to this underground stream after EAB came through and killed the network of ?straws? that had soaked up this water for decades. Much drama.

Water, Wind, Wildflowers, EAB, and Deer. Our Adventures on 5 Acres in Scio
3646 W Huron River Drive
Wednesday, June 8th at 6:45pm

Please wear long pants, socks, shoes/boots. You may be happier in long sleeves as well. The mosquitoes haven?t started yet, but... We have parts that are easy walking and parts that are a little more challenging. You have the option of retiring to the patio.

The turn off from Huron River Dr is invisible if you are approaching from the west and barely visible from the east. Once you get up here your GPS will not be very useful. So, here are some old-fashioned directions.

From Ann Arbor, the intersection of N Wagner and HRD is key. Go west on HRD 0.8 miles and turn right through two granite pillars, go up the asphalt drive to the second left (look for the green "3646" sign), and take this gravel drive straight back to the end. House is autumn yellow.

From the west, the key intersection is Zeeb (2.5 miles) or Delhi Metropark (.3miles) east along HRD. The turn off is easy to overshoot from this direction.

If you need to be talked in: 734-604-4674

July 2016

Jul
13

Visit to Mulholland Gardens

This event has ended
Wednesday, July 13th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

Rain gardens are becoming recognized as an increasingly important part of urban infrastructure. New York City and Philadelphia are transferring around 50% of their storm water budgets from ever larger storm drains into these quite wondrous combinations of native plants, rocks, and soil. Imagine rain gardens in Bedford Stuyvesant!

Heavy rainfalls have not been kind to parts of Ann Arbor. A solution to part of that problem is found near Jack and Caroline.

Lindsay Nelson of Shannan Gibb-Randall?s Insite Design and Mike Appel of Mike Appel Environmental Design will be describing the design and installation of this rain garden.

It is fitting that the city sponsor this project as it forms a wonderful addition to the work of Jack and Caroline Wallace (as the volunteer park stewards of Mulholland Gardens).

As there is no parking on Mulholland, please park on Washington or at Slauson Middle School. If you can?t walk, please park at Slauson early and call the Wild Ones Shuttle Service: 734-604-4674. Best try to set this up in advance.

241 Mulholland St (between Liberty and Washington, one block east of 7th
St.. Convene at their unit which is the first as you turn into the drive
and parking area.

November 2016

Nov
9

WildOnes Annual Potluck

This event has ended
Wednesday, November 9th, 2016
to (Eastern Time)
Online/Virtual

Join us for this end of season celebration of our triumphs (and occasional frustrations) with promoting and growing native plants and natural landscaping. Start assembling pictures of whatever part of this drama you wish to share. Bring a dish of your favorite food -- as well as bringing your own plate, bowl, and cutlery.

And, don't forget to gather and label seeds from your garden. We will be sharing those at our January 11th meeting. If any of you need particular species, please indicate this to our Ann Arbor WildOnes' mailing list. We can bring some to the potluck if you know you won?t be available in January.