The Great Lakes Issue winter 2020 newsletter Great Lakes For the whole story of the Great Lakes, go beyond the storied lakes themselves. Look at the area’s habitats, ecosystems, and plants. This perspective is apparent everywhere on our properties, especially in the Great Lakes Gardens at Matthaei. Unique among American botanical gardens, this series of contiguous spaces showcases Great Lakes regional plants growing in specially recreated habitats such as dune, alvar, and wetland. Many of these plants are rare and little- GARDENS seen in the wild. In fact, the Great Lakes Gardens may be one of the few places you’ll encounter A celebration of our natural heritage uncommon plants such as lakeside daisy (Tetraneuris herbacea) or orange-fringed orchid (Platanthera ciliari). A garden of this scale requires time to develop and grow. Staff, student interns, and volunteers have overseen a steady progression of plant establishment since the gardens’ opened in 2013. Great Lakes Gardens Matthaei-Nichols Director Bob Grese conceived this garden as a way to highlight the plants FACTS & FIGURES and places in the Great Lakes and raise awareness of these often fragile and disappearing habitats • Great Lakes Gardens opened in 2013 and the amazing plants adapted to growing in them. As director, Bob has been guided by the mission of preserving and protecting native plants and the ecosystems in which they • Eight contiguous habitats, including alvar, dune, cobble beach, prairie, oak live. As a professor at the University of Michigan he also incorporates education into all of our openings, woodland, wet woodland, spaces and programs. and fern and orchid gardens

The Great Lakes Gardens themselves began as a learning opportunity for one landscape architect • More than 300 species of plants student who worked as a summer intern several years ago on designing the spaces. Jennifer • Nearly 40 rare plants, including 14 with Austin, who currently works for Boss Engineering in Howell, Mich., as a project landscape threatened status and five considered endangered architect, helped design the Great Lakes Gardens. Her work provided the basis for the design • Plants provide food for pollinators and created by InSite Design Studio. “The educational value was immense,” Jennifer says. She learned birds such as the indigo bunting and the a lot about plants she hadn’t known before starting on the project, and she traveled to sites in monarch butterfly Michigan and Ontario to view habitats and develop a deeper appreciation for them. Working It’s about more than the Great Lakes: this issue of our newsletter (On the cover: Snow and ice patterns on the design was also about collaborating with a team of professionals and stakeholders who on Fleming Creek at Matthaei; photo by explores the ecosystems and habitats of the region and how they provided support and direction for the design concept, and then producing a final concept John Metzler. Above: Orange-fringed depend on each other to thrive. drawing. “It was amazing to have one of my designs realized and that I could include in my orchid, Platanthera ciliaris; photo by Michele Yanga.) portfolio. These are all skills and activities that have come in handy in my landscape architecture career,” Jennifer adds. When we think of the Great Lakes we think of large bodies of fresh water. But just as integral to the ecological integrity and health of the region are the many smaller creeks and ponds upstream whose waters ultimately find themselves Fleming emptying into the Great Lakes. Fleming Creek, which runs through Matthaei Botanical Gardens as well as several nearby townships and parks, is a microcosm of the ecosystems of the Great Lakes region and the challenges it faces.

Robert Fleming built one of the first sawmills in 1824 on what’s now known as Fleming Creek. Since that time the creekshed has supported agriculture, several gravel pits, and numerous parks, according to a report by the Huron River CREEK Watershed Council. More recently, homes, research and medical facilities, and golf courses have also been built near the creekshed, further straining the health of Fleming Creek.

In general, diversity in Fleming Creek is good, with higher diversity in the main and west branches and lower diversity as the creek nears the Huron River. On the botanical gardens site, Matthaei-Nichols has taken steps over the years to restore habitat for creatures such as the eastern massasauga rattlesnake along and near Fleming Creek the creek. We’ve replanted American elms that were FACTS & FIGURES once part of the creekshed and were lost to disease in • Fleming Creek is composed of 48 the 1960s, and hundreds of student workers, volunteers, miles of branching stream channels and staff each year remove invasive plants so that native • Drains 31 square miles of land species can thrive. We allow “snags” to stay where they • Fleming creekshed contains six lakes fell over the creek. (A snag is a tree that’s fallen or has greater than 10 acres and 119 ponds less died and is still standing. As it decays the tree becomes its own ecosystem-in-miniature as it supports populations of than 10 acres birds, insects, and other creatures.) Instead of shoring up the stream bank near one section of the stream that flows • Stream habitat and the condition of through Matthaei Botanical Gardens we built a boardwalk that bypasses Fleming Creek, allowing the creek to do its fish and aquatic insect communities is considered excellent own thing as it makes its way through the landscape.

The stream is also used for education and research. For the last three years, students participating in the University (Left: Fleming Creek cloaked in snow; of Michigan Wolverine Pathways Program visit the botanical gardens and use Fleming Creek as a field site to test the photo by John Metzler. Above: Map of creek’s water for the presence of aquatic creatures that indicate the relative health of the creek. Every January, the Fleming Creek as shown in relation to A microcosm of the Great Lakes’ ecosystems Huron River Watershed Council conducts a search for stoneflies, whose presence indicates a healthy stream. For an the trails at Matthaei Botanical Gardens; up-close look, visit the botanical gardens to walk along the Fleming Creek trail to discover this Michigan habitat. facing page: Fleming Creek. Photo Matthaei-Nichols.) A grant-funded project is underway to reduce sediment, erosion, and Eastern Massasauga phosphorus from entering the Huron River through School Girls’ Glen Why do we include the eastern massasauga rattlesnake in our story about in Nichols Arboretum. Large volumes of stormwater runoff enter the the Great Lakes? The massasauga is a keystone species; that is, it fits into the glen from the adjacent Forest Hill Cemetery and from a nearby storm RATTLESNAKE ecosystem like a puzzle piece. It helps control the population of meadow voles sewer. This results in severe erosion in the glen and carries with it and other creatures and the massasauga itself is food for other predators such phosphorus from horticultural activity in the cemetery. as hawks. Staff at Matthaei have even spotted a (dead) massasauga on top of The project is called “Middle Huron Sediment Reduction.” It’s funded the conservatory glass, apparently dropped there by a bird of prey. by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy The massasauga uses crayfish burrows along Fleming Creek as overwintering with money from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant pro- shelters. Thus the health of the massasauga population at the botanical The Huron gram the helps many states achieve success in their efforts to improve gardens is in part tied to the integrity of Fleming Creek. water quality. In addition to Forest Hill Cemetery, partners include the City of Ann Arbor, The massasauga’s historic range included all Michigan’s lower peninsula and RIVER Huron River Water- much of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as smaller parts of A cleaner Great Lakes is a group effort shed Council, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario. However, they are becoming more rare Washtenaw in many parts of their former range due to habitat loss and persecution by County Water humans, according to the Michigan DNR. Resources Commission’s Office, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (formerly the DEQ), One question we get here is “when did you introduce the massasauga into the Department of Environment, Health & Safety, two faculty members of the U-M College of Engineering, and the Matthaei?” The answer is, never. The massasauga was here long before the Maumee, Ohio-based Mannik Smith Group, a consulting company. botanical gardens was a botanical gardens. What we have done is implement The two-phase project will reduce stormwater runoff from Forest Hill Cemetery through the use of boulder walls, new a conservation and management strategy that protects the snake’s habitat, al- groundcover vegetation, and by redirecting stormwater from roads into rain gardens and grassy depressions. Phase 2 lowing it to thrive in this corner of its diminishing range. We do this by remov- will include stabilizing the eroding slopes of School Girls’ Glen along with design ideas for reducing runoff and erosion. ing invasive plants, planting and seeding native plants, conducting prescribed A keystone species in a changing region burns, and getting the word out to our members, visitors, and the community. Throughout, Matthaei-Nichols and the Huron River Watershed Council will monitor the project. Two automated flow sensors will be installed at the top of School Girls’ Glen to assess the amount of stormwater runoff entering the glen from the cemetery via the Reader Center rain garden and the Washington Hts. storm sewer. Water-quality sampling will take place at the top and bottom of School Girl’s Glen to assess E. coli, suspended solids, phosphorus, and discharge. • A 2011 survey at Matthaei • Lives 14-18 years • Has several lookalikes, including found 27 massasaugas eastern fox snake, eastern milk Massasauga • Uses crayfish burrows to Right: Huron River Watershed Council (HWRC) summer intern Nik Krantz installs an automated water-sampling device at the upstream monitoring site at School Girls’ • Federally listed as threatened overwinter snake, eastern hognose snake, FACTS & FIGURES and norther water snake Glen. The two devices installed in the glen collect samples during storm events that are analyzed for nutrient concentrations, including phosphorus and sediments. With • About 2.5-3 feet at maturity • Prefer to be left alone this information, project partners can identify impairments in the stream channel and measure success of stream restoration projects. Photo by HWRC. The Bob and Susan Grese What do you do when you’re not out photographing nature? Nature Education Nature Education Fund I’m a partner in a firm of antitrust economists located in Ann Arbor, although I Member Profile no longer have significant day-to-day responsibilities there. I also belong to the Long-time supporters Ian and Sally Bund seeded the at Matthaei-Nichols Sierra Club and lead hikes for the Huron Valley Group throughout Washtenaw Nature Education Endowment Fund with the goal of raising $4M to permanently fund the educational County and surrounding areas. mission at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols What is it about nature that you find compelling to photograph? Arboretum. In honor of Bob’s retirement, Ian and I love being in nature. So maybe the photography is just an excuse to get out Sally have chosen to rename this fund the “Bob and into nature. When I was getting ready for deer hunting (with my camera) last fall, Susan Grese Nature Education Fund” in the hope I read lots of articles about lethal deer hunting to learn more about deer habits. that others will be inspired to continue Bob’s legacy One of the things I came across was a study of hunters. The vast majority of of supporting nature education by making their own hunters say the thing they like best about hunting is getting out into the woods, personally significant gift to the fund. even if they don’t shoot anything. That’s pretty much where I am—I rarely go out

Your unrestricted gift to the fund will allow us to with a plan to photograph something specific. I go out to be out. respond to our highest educational priorities—like What do you look for when composing a photo? the Nature Academy internship program—and allow JOHN METZLER I try to capture the fleeting beauty of the moment in nature. For example, one us to invest in innovative ideas over time. sunny, windy day several weeks ago I was at Matthaei; leaves were falling and rising Photographer John Metzler sends us a lot of great photos of Matthaei and the and dancing through the air. I was able to capture a single leaf blowing across a Great Lakes Gardens Endowment Fund Arb, many of which we’ve used in our publications and online. John shared his pure blue sky. It’s a simple shot, but it conveys the feeling of a beautiful fall day. Your support is also valued in the continued thoughts with us about what matters to him as a member and a photographer. maintenance and care of this one-of-a-kind garden. Do you have a favorite photo of our properties? Why did you become a member? This is a hard question. I have many pictures that are among my favorites. There You can see the impact Director Bob Grese has had on our programs and spaces just by Your gift to the Great Lakes Gardens Endowment To save money on parking! I first visited Matthaei in Nov. 2017. I really liked it, but are many places at Matthaei that I enjoy. The thing about nature—flora and walking through our gardens, trails, and natural areas. But it’s Bob’s multi-faceted and collabo- Fund will ensure that future generations can with the holidays and all, I didn’t get back out until late-January, 2018. I was out fauna—is that you never visit the same place twice. The changing of seasons, rative approach to connecting people with nature that has made an indelible impact on experience the unique living heritage of the Great there six more times in the next 2.5 months, each time for two to four hours. So I weather, lights, animals and their growth cycles, keep the garden fresh. Matthaei-Nichols. Lakes region. joined. We’ve since increased our level of donation because we enjoy the place so much we feel we should give something back to it. The Great Lakes Gardens are a perfect example of Bob’s vision. To create these spaces, Bob To make your gift, or for more information about If you could take pictures of only one subject, what would it be and why? Both parts are easy: my family. Why is the same reason I gave for taking pictures of engaged U-M students in our Nature Academy internship program in collaborative project these and other giving opportunities, contact What keeps you coming back? Meredith Olson, Director of Development; nature, but magnified, intensified, because the very best feelings flow around my planning, implementation, and assessment. The interns developed leadership and professional Willow Pond, Fleming Creek, the meadow, the woods, the flora, the fauna, and the [email protected]; 734.647.7847. family. I see a picture of Fei Fei or our children, whether it’s from last month or two skills throughout the project. The result is a showplace for the region’s rare and unusual plants fawns. I really like the fawns. It’s relatively convenient and I have something like a decades ago, and I get a little shot of happiness. I can’t imagine ever losing interest and the habitats and ecosystems they occupy that will engage students, faculty, and visitors in the 95% hit rate in terms of spotting at least some charismatic megafauna (deer, hawks, protection of the Great Lakes for years to come. in those pictures or making new ones of them. Pictured: Nature Academy intern Jennifer Austin’s great blue herons, turkeys). Now that I’m beginning to know Matthaei, I like watch- While Bob took an active role in envisioning the Great Lakes Gardens, his commitment to original design for the Great Lakes Gardens. ing it change, both through the seasons and as your team makes changes to it. Pictured above from left to right: John Metzler, son Dan, wife Fei Fei, and daughter Alexis. engaging students in immersive educational experiences made this project possible. winter 2020 volunteer news and opportunities Spring &Summer2020Volunteer Garden Programs Ambassador cuss their interest by emailingthe Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected]. Ready to register? Allinterested volunteers are required to pre-register anddis- with the Children’s Garden orother garden spaces. April 18 sessionswillbreak offinto interest their primary of volunteering *After anintroduction to beingagarden ambassador, participants inthe frame, with the exceptionofthe Peony program onlyhaving Juneshifts. Shifts are variable based onthe specificAmbassador program. May-October time garden tours andtrainings are ledby ourhorticulturiststhroughout the season. population ofvisitors, including children andfamilies. Continuingeducation We seekvolunteers with alove andinterest oflearning inworking with adiverse NicholsArboretum Reader Center • Peony Ambassador:Training April23rd onThurs, (6-7:30pm) at the (8am-12pm)* at Matthaei BotanicalGardens • Garden Ambassador(REVISED!):Training onSat, April18th (8am-12pm)* at Matthaei BotanicalGardens Children’s• Gaffield Garden Ambassador(NEW!):Training onSat, April18th and funatmosphere ascoursemarshalls. caretakers alsoprovided asafe and water tables. Matthaei-Nichols’ volunteers whohelpedwith registration Additionalthanksof ourrunners! to those into zombies for the funand experience students whotransformed themselves community membersandother U-M Beta Theta Pi,Circle SEAS,various K, Thanks to the 40volunteers from U-M Volunteers Make Run Zombie Hum Student andCommunity

Thank youtothevolunteergroupsthat Thank helped outwithoureco-restoration • Ford •GSHOM Troop Elementary) #40459(Wines • Omega Phi AlphaNational Sorority Service (EMU) • Department ofPsychiatry• Department (DEIOutreach Group) • SchoolofInformation Days Service (UMSI) • Stamps Scholars•Eta KappaNu (HKN) University ofMichigan Groups: efforts thisautumn! efforts • Circle K•Cross Country Team • Backpacking Club•Beta-Mu • CapgeminiDTEEnergy • Enviro 201 Class

Youth &children’s education Student andfaculty engagement andresearch Summer interns Summer held atoursites Matthaei-Nichols bytheNumbers communities value interaction from andlearning nature onourproperties infiscal year 2019 (July1, 2018-June 30, 2019). using oursites U-M volunteer School fieldtrip participants U-M students U-M student Researchers U-M classes Instructors volunteers (school year &summer) (‘17 & ‘18) (‘17 Research projects groups program participants field trip participants Youth edprograms After-school/scout Youth edprogram Title school One

68 79 106 19 43 participants 43 33 Field trips

19 122 241 540 273

1,276 /288visits The numbersbelow reflect how many people from the University ofMichigan andlocal concerts; workshops; family events (Shakespeare; art&other exhibits; sponsored by Matthaei-Nichols Public nature-based programs 2,400 44: 3,571 (includes Title 1) (e.g. AudubonSociety, Michigan Botanical Club, Herb Society, AnnArbor Backyard Beekeepers) Nonprofit partners Volunteer participation Total volunteer Group workday Group workday Number ofnonprofit partners volunteers volunteers Individual hours hours Partner programs

Number ofstudent Number ofhours 1 farm management fellow 10 student managers Plus, 17 studentfarm crew members Friday workdays 1,266 1,151 participants 18 Student Engagement Campus Farm 45 1,576 834 191 1,668 12,413 Matthaei-Nichols News wide initiative to stimulate innovative research andscholarship by being beautifulflowers to enjoy,”David explains. Mcubedisauniversity- simply the beautifulflowers. Yet these interactions are likely drivers in there potential isfor genome-specificinteractions inadynamiccontext beyond of genomeseach peony, alongwithandother viruses microbes. The issues emerge indocumenting,monitoring, andexaminingthe interactions David Michener. “In additionto the expected museumrecords, complex to managethe collection’s health, according to Matthaei-Nichols Curator research andreference collection. This requires anewdata-architecture the beloved Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden asboth top-tier scientific A grant from the University ofMichigan Mcubedwillhelpusreconceive Peonies McubedA-Squared Funding Get the tropical andtemperate houses. Work willroll outover 2020. sitting/gathering area willbeinstalled justoutsidethe covered porticothat separates will take center stage inthe area now devoted to the rotating bonsaidisplay, anda the rectangular koi pond(currently hometo alarge grapefruit tree). Medicinal plants world economies,andplants inaspecialdisplay. Bonsaiwillbedisplayed behind will demonstrate medicine/wellness, conservation, bonsai,bog plants, plants and The newtemperate housewilloffer plants re-themed into five main zones that chosen more for their horticultural value, says Matthaei-Nichols Director Bob Grese. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The current designandlayout features plants that were Plans are underway for arenovation to the temperate at houseinthe conservatory Temperate House toUndergo Major Reconfiguration distributing seedfundingto multi-unit faculty-led teams. The peony team isledby Dr. Andrea Thomer, Professor at the School ofInformation. The other team members are ofEEB/ LilianaCortes-Ortiz Drs. of Belarus), andDavidof Belarus), Michener ofMatthaei- Nichols. Visit information. Garden-Minsk (National Academy ofSciences EEB, Nastassia Vlasava ofthe Central Botanic DiversityGenomics Lab, Yin-Long of Qiu mcubed.umich.edu for more garden.org/. Thurs., Jan.9, AnnArbor Citygarden.org/. Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. grant and scholarship awards. Pre-registration isrequired: annarborfarmand- horticulture. $10 public admissiongoestoward AnnArbor Farm &Garden’s bonsai andourefforts to collect, preserve, andenhance this unique ofform Leskovianskycialist Carmen willpresent anoverview ofthe ancientartof and Matthaei-Nichols, Curator David Michener andBonsaiCollection- Spe presentationIn aspecialJanuary sponsored by AnnArbor Farm &Garden International Form Art Transcendent Ever-Contemporary The Bonsai: is important to understand andactupon” says Michener. active listening, which isanexpression ofhumility aboutappreciating what important food andceremonial plants. “Our working together comesfrom with growing andrematriating seedscollected from indigenouspeople’s David presented a October talk” 29“lightning that centered onhiswork the former CEW+ (Center for the Educationof Women) director’s life-work. for ExcellenceinPromoting Equity Change. andSocial The award honors Michigan faculty andstaff to receive the Carol Hollenshead Inspire Award Matthaei-Nichols Curator David Michener was oneoffive University of Curator Michener Receives Hollenshead Award Shakespeare intheArb, Great Lakes GardensGreat Lakes shade. Deconstruction andrenovationshade. Deconstruction ofthe rock garden took place inOctober andNovember. Plantingisplanned for spring2020. changes, including acliff face. Thiswillallow us to grow plants that love sunand those that prefer abitmore most part hadminimalelevation andtopography. The newgarden willhave north- andsouth-facing elevation opportunity to increase plant diversity,” Conleyadds. The old rock garden essentiallyfaced south andfor the “We’ll keep some legacy plants from donation.Butwe the alsoseethe originalMarieAzary renovation asan Conley,Doug Matthaei-Nichols garden manager. Renovating the rock garden willgive usnearly ablank slate. Exhibits highlight Science &ArtswinterScience 2020 theme semester. concert with the U-MCollege ofLiterature, Lakes asphotographed by Laura Mueller. In An exhibitshowcasing the plants ofthe Great Our Unique Places Uncommon Plantsfrom 11-MarchJanuary 1,Matthaei The garden hadgrown lessdiverse over time,according to rock—a porous form oflimestone—used for rock gardens. plants, andmaterials such asthe speciallocallysourced tufa microhabitats.” The localchapter agreed to contribute labor, would give the garden agreater diversity ofplants and Collections Horticulturist Mike Palmer. renovation“The us to partner inarevitalization ofthe rock garden,” says chapter ofthe North AmericanRock Garden Society asked who donated herrock garden in1985. Great Lakes“The garden enthusiast andsupporter ofthe botanical gardens A transformation istaking place Rock inthe Garden. MarieAzary This space isnamedafter MarieAzary, arock- Rock Garden Reno supplies—all the things that keep the farm andgrowing!” running Farm studentmanagersandfarm crew,” Jeremy adds, “along withsupplies, seeds,irrigation compost,andother produce sold to for MDining useinresidence hallsin2019. resources“Those godirectly to paying the Campus increases ingeneral studentengagement.” This fall the farm alsocrossed anewthreshold ofmore than $100K in nine-fold increase inthe numberofpaid studentsinvolved with the farm since fall of2016 (28vs3)alongwith large student farm crew members,10 studentmanagers,andafarm managementfellow. represents“That amore than a large increase inthe numberofpaid studentsonthe CamusFarm team,” Jeremy notes. Currently the farm has17 And workdays have been expanded to include Sunday afternoons inthe fall term aswell asFridays. “We’ve alsohad over the lastthree years. Lastyear attendance atworkdays reached 834studentswith nearly 1,700 hoursworked. Campus Farm Program ManagerJeremy Moghtader hasseenstudentengagementatthe farm grow dramatically Campus Farm Milestones

photos, newsitems, andposters. Shakespeare in the Arb. Featuring costumes, In celebration ofthe 20th anniversary of A Midwinter’s Daydream March 7-May 24, Matthaei

the temperate temperate the page: Facing house in the conservatory conservatory the in house : students students : Left Matthaei. at harvesting spinach in one of of one in spinach harvesting the hoop houses at the Campus Campus the at houses hoop the Farm. Farm. and members of the local Rock Rock local the of members and Garden society harvesting plants plants harvesting society Garden prior to the garden’s renovation. garden’s the to prior Above : Staff, volunteers, volunteers, Staff, :

Sat., Jan. 18, 11 am Thurs., Feb. 20, 1-2:30 pm Mon., Mar 16, 7:30 pm Sun., March 29, 1-4 pm Sat., April 18, 11 am All programs and classes FEBRUARY Measuring Unusual §Ikebana: Japanese Identifying Invasive Plants New Dahlia Introductions Writing Orchid Award January - Choose your own adventure unless noted are free and Mon., Feb 10, 10-11:30 am Michigan Dahlia Association Descriptions Self-guided activities and discovery backpacks for children all month long. Borrow a take place at Matthaei Orchids Flower Arranging Mich. Botanical Club Huron Valley Catching Your Breath A video presentation on new dahl- Great Lakes Judging (Orchids) backpack and create your own adventure. Backpacks contain scavenger hunts and Botanical Gardens. Great Lakes Judging (Orchids) Ann Arbor Ikebana Intl. Chapter Featuring “Michigan Nature Guy” MI Alzheimer’s Disease Center activity sheets for both indoors and outdoors. Binoculars, crayons, and sketch paper are A presentation by orchid judge See January 16 listing for details. Don Drife. ias followed by a dahlia auction. A video presentation that teach- See January 13 listing for details. included in each backpack. Take a picture while you’re here and share it on our Instagram Dave Miller. es judges how to write awards JANUARY Wed., Feb. 26, 7 pm Tues., March 17, 7:30 pm Tues., Feb. 11, 6:30-8:45 pm APRIL descriptions. (matthaeinichols) or Facebook. Wed., Jan. 8, 6:45 pm Sat., Jan. 18, noon-3 pm Bonsai Display Aesthetics Palm Warblers: My Wed., April 1, 7 pm Pollinator Preservation Mon., April 20, 7:30 pm Sweet Spot: Tea & Cocoa Party Sat., Feb. 8 10 am-noon Creating & Caring for N. Amer. Rock Garden Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Adventures As a Strategies for the Home Spring Flowering Shrubs Learn how to host your own tea party and celebrate the joy of gathering Native Plant Gardens Soc. Winter Potluck Matthaei-Nichols Bonsai Collec- Citizen Scientist Modern Systematics Ann Arbor Garden Club & Rhododen- together with friends. Create a decoration for the table using dyes made Wild Ones Ann Arbor Garden & Illuminating Hidden Mike Palmer of Matthaei-Nich- tion Specialist Carmen Leskovi- Sierra Club Huron Valley Group dron Society Ann Arbor Chapter A presentation by Matthaei Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Relationships of Plants from tea, and make your own special tea blend to take home. Then sit ols discusses the renovation of ansky shares her insights. A talk by Ann Arbor science These two Ann Arbor garden clubs Director Bob Grese. Michigan Botanical Club Huron Valley together to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or herbal tea and a tea-cookie and the Marie Azary Rock Garden. Wed., Feb. 12, 6:45 pm teacher and palm warbler share their knowledge about the & Herb Study Group make a new friend! This program may contain the following allergens: Sun., Jan. 12, 1:30 pm Programs of the MARCH expert Susan Kielb, varieties of flowering spring shrubs. Mon., Jan 20, 7:30 pm A discussion by U-M Herbari- milk, wheat, chocolate. 20-YE-01 $12.00/child includes all materials and tea Washtenaw County Mon., March 2, 7 pm Repotting Orchids Ecological Classification Wed., March 18, 7:30 pm party. Recommended ages 5-12. Conservation District Sat., April 4, 10 am-3:30 pm um vascular plant curator Tony Using Sphagnum of the Forested River Herb & Vegetable Architectural Solutions to Wild Ones Ann Arbor African Violets, Gesneriads, Reznicek. Faerie Door Workshop Sat., March 14. Two sessions: 9:30-11 am & 11:30 am-1 pm Ann Arbor Orchid Society Seed Giveaway Floodplains of Shiawassee Reduce Bird Deaths Terrarium & Fairy Garden Faeries, gnomes, sprites, and pixies are creatures who protect the natural world. Learn A presentation by Megan Herb Study Group Tues., April 21, 7:30 pm National Wildlife Refuge Washtenaw Audubon Society Mon., Jan 13, 10-11:30 am Deleeuw of WCCD. Seeds are on a first come basis, Plants Display & Sale about these woodland creatures and make a special faerie door to encourage them to Mich. Botanical Club Huron Valley A discussion by Pittsburg-based Adventures in Volunteering Catching Your Breath free raffle of seed-starting kit, Includes a free hands-on workshop visit. Program designed for children but is also open to adults or guardians who want A presentation by Douglas Putt Mon., Feb 17, 7:30 pm architect Nick Liadis.. with Sierra Club MI Alzheimer’s Disease Center and handouts. at 10:45 am. to participate. Classes fills quickly. Includes materials and activities. 20-YE-02 (9:30); about the classification of Shi- White-tailed Deer Sierra Club Huron Valley Group A free monthly program for Thurs., March 19, 1-2:30 pm 20-YE-03 (11:30) $14.00/person includes faerie door materials. Recommended ages 4-12 & Michigan Plant Mon., April 6, 7 pm A presentation on volunteering for caregivers of adults with awassee’s forest ecosystems. Sat., March 7, 11 am-2:30 pm §Ikebana: Japanese Communities: Two Steppe Plants for Relaxing with Herbs the Sierra Club by Huron Valley memory loss. To register: Tues., Jan 21, 7:30 pm Flower Arranging Decades of Observations Rock Gardens Herb Study Group Group member, volunteer, and Pre-registration suggested for all fee-based programs. Registration includes activities 734.936.8803. Remaking Our Ann Arbor Ikebana Intl. Chapter & Reflections How to use herbal teas and items activist Janet Kahan. and materials per person. Check out our youth education and family programs on our Neighborhoods, with N. Amer. Rock Garden Soc. See January 16 listing for details. Tues., Jan. 14, 6:30-8:45 pm Mich. Botanical Club Huron Valley you can make at home such as website: mbgna.umich.edu/education/youth-education/ Climate in Mind A presentation by Mike Bone, Sat., April 25, 1:30-3 pm Swarm Biology & Control A presentation by Jacqueline curator of the Steppe Garden March 21 & 22, 10 am-4:30 pm bath salts, bath milks, and sachets. On The Spot Queen Rearing Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Sierra Club Huron Valley Group April 6-10 Corteau on the history and role at the Denver Botanic Garden. Ann Arbor Orchid Festival Mon., April 13, 10-11:30 am Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Spring Break at Matthaei A program by Meghan Milbrath A presentation by Matt Grocoff, of white-tailed deer in Michigan Info: [email protected] Ann Arbor Orchid Society Catching Your Breath Learn about the on-the-spot tech- Make Matthaei a tropical spring break staycation! Borrow an adventure backpack filled of Northern Bee Network. whose Ann Arbor home is con- with things to do and relax for a few hours in our beautiful conservatory or on our ecosystems. Featuring orchid displays; free MI Alzheimer’s Disease Center nique from its inventor. sidered the oldest in N. America Mon., March 9, 10-11:30 am wonderful trails. Free! Wed., Jan, 15, 7:30 pm talks and demos; orchid raffle; See January 13 listing for details. to be retrofitted to net-zero Tues., Feb. 18, 7:30 pm Catching Your Breath Sat., April 25, 1-4 pm Birding Ecuador orchids and related items for Elzada Clover Day! Wed. April 8, 10 am-noon carbon status. The Polar Vortex, Climate MI Alzheimer’s Disease Center Tues., April 14, 6:30-8:45 pm Annual Dahlia Tuber Sale Washtenaw Audubon Society sale. For more information visit Elzada Clover was a pioneering botanist and the first woman to successfully raft down the Change & Weird Weather See January 13 listing for details. Package Bee Installation Michigan Dahlia Association Join April Campbell for a trip to Sat., Jan. 25, 1-4 pm aaosonline.org. Colorado River. She collected plants from her trip to bring back to the University of Michigan. Sierra Club Huron Valley Group Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Also includes a video on growing bird-rich Ecuador. So You Want to Tues., March 10, 6:30-8:45 pm Learn how she prepared for her trip to the desert and then make a desert plant terrarium to A presentation by U-M emeritus Wed., March 25, 7 pm dahlias and information on dahlia Be a Beekeeper? Simple, Smart Beekeeping A presentation on the important take home. 20-YE-04 $10.00/child includes all materials. Recommended ages 5-12. Thurs., Jan. 16, 1-2:30 pm professor Dr. Henry Pollack on Pines as Bonsai care. Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers step of installing packaged bees. the polar vortex. Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Groovy Great Lakes Sat., April 18, 10 am-noon §Japanese Flower Everything you need to know A program on how to keep Ghazi Zouooui discusses Thurs., April 16, 1-2:30 pm The Great Lakes state of Michigan provides beauty at every turn. Explore what makes our Arranging with Ann to get started in beekeeping. Wed., Feb. 19, 7:30 pm healthy hives in an easy way. horticulture and techniques. §Ikebana: Japanese Flower state so wonderful and learn about surprising habitats, plants, and animals that call the Great Arbor Ikebana Birding Northern Calif. Matthaei-Nichols Program Calendar—winter 2020 Program Matthaei-Nichols Arranging Email 2 weeks prior for an Lakes home. Create a collage about the beauty of our home state and pot up seeds to Washtenaw Audubon Society 2020 & Kids’ Classes and Programs—Winter Youth Ann Arbor Ikebana Intl. Chapter attract Michigan caterpillars and butterflies. 20-YE-05 $10.00/child includes all materials. e-vite: [email protected]. A photographic tour. See January 16 listing for details. Recommended ages 6-12. Non-Profit caring for nature, enriching life Organization U. S. Postage PAID Matthaei Botanical Gardens Ann Arbor, MI 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Permit No. 144 Ann Arbor MI 48105 Date Sensitive Material Nichols Arboretum 1610 Washington Hts. Ann Arbor MI 48109

Winter 2020 newsletter

Robert E. Grese, Director friends newsletter Joseph Mooney, Editor [email protected] For information: 734.647.7600 mbgna.umich.edu

U-M Regents

Jordan B. Acker, Huntington Woods

Michael J. Behm, Grand Blanc

Mark J. Bernstein, Ann Arbor

Paul W. Brown, Ann Arbor

Shauna Ryder Diggs, Grosse Pointe

Denise Ilitch, Bingham Farms

Ron Weiser, Ann Arbor

Katherine E. White, Ann Arbor

Mark S. Schlissel (ex officio)