Plant It Wild has released its upcoming schedule for summer 2021. Learn more about each Northern Michigan event and how to save your spot by registering.
This is an official press release brought to you by Plant It Wild and MyNorth News Service.
What’s the Buzz About Native Bees
July 21 at 7 p.m. | Register by emailing: plantitwild2day@gmail.com. | Free Zoom Program
Join program sponsors Plant it Wild and Four Season Nursery in exploring the nesting habitat, life cycle, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of common genera of native bees occurring in the Midwestern, Eastern United States, and southern Canada. The pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees is also highlighted. Bee expert, Heather Holm will discuss the presentation of floral resources and how the physical characteristics of bees can influence the bees’ effectiveness as pollinators. Heather Holm, the event presenter, is an award-winning author and nationally sought-after speaker spending much of her time passionately educating audiences about the fascinating world of native bees and the native plants that support them. Her first book, Pollinators of Native Plants, was published in 2014, her second book, Bees, published in 2017, has won six book awards including the 2018 American Horticultural Society Book Award, and her latest book, Wasps was published in 2021. Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native bees and native plants and the natural history and biology of native bees occurring in the upper Midwest and Northeast.
Backyard Conservation with Cheryl Gross
Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. | Register by emailing: plantitwild2day@gmail.com | Free Zoom Program
To restore a healthy ecosystem, we desperately need native plants in our yards. We each can play a part in bringing nature home and connect with nature in our yards. Presenter, Cheryl Gross explains how to create a habitat and live with nature. Cheryl A. Gross is an Advanced Extension Master Gardener through MSU and the President of Plant it Wild, a Michigan native plant organization based in Benzie County. She is passionate about Michigan native plants. She practices her passion at her home just outside Traverse City. Her landscaping practices include less lawn, full sun, woodland shade, trees, shrubs, clump-forming grasses, and an abundance of wildflowers.
Fieldtrip: Wildflower Hike at Arcadia Marsh
Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon | GTRLC’s Arcadia Marsh property on M-22 in Arcadia
A marsh ecosystem and plant community are exceptionally valuable as they filter water and team with life. Plant it Wild will be exploring the marsh plants of this universally accessible trail.
Pruning Native Trees and Shrubs
Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. (Zoom) | Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. Free Zoom Event & Field Trip | Register by emailing plantitwild2day@gmail.com.
When it comes time to pruning a tree or shrub, knowing a few basic techniques about how to prune can help maintain a pleasing shape and protect your investment in the plant. Pruning is a maintenance practice that can be beneficial to a woody landscape plant when properly performed. However, some knowledge about the growth habit of a tree or shrub as well as how and when to prune are essential to avoid “butchering” its appearance. For example, tree and shrubs should be pruned at an early age rather than waiting until a plant is overgrown. Keeping a tree or shrub’s size and shape under control from the start is much better to both its health and aesthetic appearance. In essence, a well-done pruning job maintains a plant’s natural shape, while the necessary removal of dead or diseased branches or other undesirable growth is performed. Presenter: Dr. Robert Schutzki, Michigan State University Dr. Robert Schutzki, PhD joined MSU in January 1982. Dr. Schutzki is responsible for teaching and research in the area of Landscape Horticulture. Research interests focus on the characterization of adaptive traits (drought tolerance, cold hardiness) of plants to investigate their physiological responses to cultural (production and planting technique) and environmental (light, soil and temperature) manipulation and to monitor their physiological status during reestablishment in the landscape. Dr. Schutzki is actively involved in the educational outreach program. Presentations have included: Plant Biology for Horticulture Industries; Plant Selection Process; Landscape Design and Construction; Ornamental Plant Management. He conducts workshops for the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association and the Metropolitan Detroit Landscape Association. Field Trip: Friday, September 17, 2021, from 10 a.m. to Noon. Location: Meet at 9:30 am at Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot in Frankfort or Shop-n-Save parking lot in Benzonia to caravan or carpool to a private property.
Have Questions? Looking to Register?
To register for these events, please send an email to plantitwild2day@gmail.com. For questions regarding these events contact Plant it Wild President & Program Chair Cheryl Gross at grossrichardson@mac.com or by calling 231-651-9656.
All About Plant It Wild
Plant It Wild is an independent, non-profit with 501(c)(3) status, native plant organization based in Benzie and Manistee Counties. Our Mission is “to foster greater awareness and appreciation of the fragile natural environment of our region. Through direct efforts, we work to preserve, protect and promote the natural beauty of the area and its plant communities”. Our programs run from May to September, the 3rd Wednesday of the month. All of our programs and field trips are open to the public at no charge. 2021 programs are offered via Zoom. Register at plantitwild2day@gmail.com and an invitation with the link will be emailed to you prior to the program. Field trip locations/directions can be found at www.PlantitWild.net, or on our Facebook page, PIW-Plant It Wild.
