Join us for our first member meeting of the year. The meeting Zoom link will be sent out prior to the event. We will begin with a brief business meeting, followed by a presentation by Jane Denay, a NMMGA member, on the Pocket Forest concept.

·        Otsego County Tree Sale Information in Gaylord: Click here.  Pre-orders due March 20 and sale is on April 24-25.

This presentation was rescheduled from an earlier date. The class is full. To join a waitlist click here. North Central Michigan College hosts this in-person lecture by Laurie and Jeff Dykhouse. Cost is $15. Presentation is held in the NCMC Library Conference Center.

Laurie and Jeff Dykehouse have tagged more than 2,000 migrating monarch butterflies at the Straits of Mackinac for the past six years using numbered tags provided by the Monarch Watch organization.  Each fall, they capture and tag monarchs that are beginning the long migration south to their winter habitat in the mountains of central Mexico. A few of their tagged butterflies have been recovered at the monarch overwintering preserves in Mexico. This presentation will cover the annual life cycles and fascinating migration of monarchs throughout North America, as well as the process of capturing and tagging monarchs at the Straits of Mackinac.

About the presenters: Jeff worked for the Mackinac State Historic Parks for 36 years and retired in 2020 as their Curator of Natural History. Laurie was a science teacher in the Cheboygan Area Schools for 25 years.

The Boyne Arts Center at One Water Street, Suite 203 hosts a Nature Journaling Workshop in partnership with the Charlevoix Conservation District and in harmony with the Aldo Leopold Reading Event on March 7. Step outside and let your senses guide-pause, listen, sketch , and write. This gathering is for both new and seasoned creative who wish to slow down, breathe deeply, and notice the quiet miracles of the natural world. Together, we’ll weave art and observation into pages that reflect the wonder of simple being present.

All materials will be provided. Instructors are Julie Hermann and Sharon Wade.

Registration for this $20 course by clicking here.

Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

The MSU Extension Smart Gardening Conference is at the Wayne County Community College District, WCCD Ted Scott Campus, 9555 Haggerty Road, Belleville, MI. Check-in starts at 8 am and the conference begins at 9 am. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just beginning your horticulture journey, this conference offers fresh ideas, inspiring stories, and research-based guidance you can put to use right away.  Join us for a day of expert-led learning on climate-adapted plants, butterfly habitat gardening, invasive species awareness, native bee ecology, and native-plant design. It’s a full day of learning designed to help you grow with confidence and make sustainable choices in your landscape. The full day of learning with 6 hours continuing education costs $120. More details about the conference and registration for the event is found at this MSUE website.

March – April: Tree and shrub sales are continuing in Otsego, Charlevoix and Emmet County Conservation Districts. Please note that these sales include much more than trees. Go to their websites for order forms and details.

·        Emmet County Tree Sale Information: Click here. Pre-orders due April 1, pick up dates April 24 & 25. Tree sale held in Pellston.

·        Charlevoix County Tree Sale Information in Boyne City: Click here. Pre-orders due April 1 with pick up on April 24 & 25. Extra trees available on April 28.

·        Cheboygan County Tree Sale Information: Click here. Order forms due April 1 with pick up on April 24 & 25. Extra trees to be sold on April 27.

The plant babies are growing up fast! Join Otsego Conservation District in the greenhouse for a day of transplanting, learning, and getting your hands dirty! Let us know your coming so we can have enough supplies prepared for all - (989)732-4021 or otsegoconservation@gmail.com

Stay for a little or awhile, your help is greatly appreciated and we wouldn't be abele to do it without you!

The plant babies are growing up fast! Join Otsego Conservation District in the greenhouse for a day of transplanting, learning, and getting your hands dirty! Let us know your coming so we can have enough supplies prepared for all - (989)732-4021 or otsegoconservation@gmail.com

Stay for a little or awhile, your help is greatly appreciated and we wouldn't be abele to do it without you!

This $30 course is offered by the North Central Michigan College Lifelong Learning program. The class is held at the NCMC Nature Area (behind the college at the end of Howard Street). The class is offered a second time this month on April 15.

Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals, will lead a walk in the woods to learn about wild plants and their properties. This walk will cover plant identification, ethical harvesting, herbal remedy preparation and much more.  Bring a notebook and gear for possible changes in weather.

To register click here.

Online via Zoom with recordings available for registrants two weeks after airing.

This FREE class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online class includes an exciting educational topic that counts towards your EMG continuing education. Register once for the entire series. To register go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=5FE0BCA45C0054B52066DD1D23ED47C5EDC34155B1FAD56DC581C3C4977A3B5B

This month’s topis is Best Gardening Practices to Protect Pollinators and Their Habitats

Join Stefanie Steele, Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Specialist and NRCS Partner Biologist for Urban and Small Farms in Michigan for a presentation on Best Gardening Practices to Protect Pollinators and Their Habitats. Learn about “cues to care” to help people in your communities learn to understand functionality of small-scale native plant gardens, selecting and sourcing the “right” plants for your space, tips on how to maintain your native garden, and a brief overview of how the diversity of pollinators may interact and use your habitat. 

This $30 course is offered by the North Central Michigan College Lifelong Learning program. The class is held at the NCMC Nature Area (behind the college at the end of Howard Street).

Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals, will lead a walk in the woods to learn about wild plants and their properties. This walk will cover plant identification, ethical harvesting, herbal remedy preparation and much more.  Bring a notebook and gear for possible changes in weather.

To register click here.

Think about making paper using native plant seeds and upcycling some invasive garlic mustard grass. Katie Gray, Co-coordinator of CAKE CISMA will inform us of the organization’s work in our area and guide you through the five-step process to make native seed garlic mustard grass paper. Our secretary, Kris Whittet, will have examples of creative uses of the garlic mustard grass paper embedded with native seeds. This regular meeting will be held at the Charlevoix Conservation District at 303 North Street, Boyne City. Enter from the side of the building from the driveway. Parking is available on the street and behind the building.

The conservation district will host a tree fundraiser on April 24 & 25 for those wanting to walk-in and purchase their personally selected Hardwoods, Conifers, Fruit Trees, Wildwood Shrubs and more. Go to the Nature Center at 459 Livingston BLVD, Gaylord, MI. They will be open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm for sales.

Les Cheneaux Culinary School presents an interactive cooking demonstration at North Central Michigan College at the Library Conference Center. This $15 course is led by Zach Schroeder, director and culinary instructor at the Les Cheneaux Culinary School in Hessel, will show how mastering seasoning can instantly elevate home cooking. Guests will taste how herbs, spices, aromatics and acids can directly transform different foods, and come away with practical, memorable tools to take back to their own kitchens. The session will also include a brief overview of the school’s programs and its renowned summer restaurant, along with a behind-the-scenes look at the culinary experiences being created in the Les Cheneaux Islands. Perhaps this will influence your herb garden choices this year! To register click here.

The conservation district will host a tree fundraiser on April 24 & 25 for those wanting to walk-in and purchase their personally selected Hardwoods, Conifers, Fruit Trees, Wildwood Shrubs and more. Go to the Nature Center at 459 Livingston BLVD, Gaylord, MI. They will be open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm for sales.

Seed Starting 101 will be held at North Central Michigan College at the Health & Science Building, Room 333. The $30 course is led by Monica Gruler Farrier, Master Gardener and owner of Gruler Gardens in Petoskey, a local source of native plants, cut flowers, and handcrafter art inspired by nature..  Do you love to garden but suffer from sticker shock when you see how much you spend on new plants each season? Do you want to have more choices and more control over what you grow? By starting your own seeds, you can dramatically increase the number and variety of plants in your garden, and you’ll save money too! In this class you’ll learn about:

· Where to source seeds

· When to start your seeds

· Direct seeding vs starting seeds indoors

· What a seed needs to germinate and grow

· Understanding potting soils and seed starting mixes

· Equipment and supplies you will need

· Creating a seed starting space indoors with heat and light

· How to get your seedlings ready for planting out in your garden

· How and when to plant outside

· Saving and storing seeds for next season

To register click here.

Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

Getting Started with Cut Flowers is presented by Monica Gruler Farrier, Master Gardener and owner of Gruler Gardens in Petoskey, a local source of native plants, cut flowers, and handcrafter art inspired by nature. The class is held at the North Central Michigan College Health & Science Building in room 333. Do you dream of a home filled with vases of beautiful flowers? Do you often find yourself stopping at a store to buy flowers for friends and family? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have all the flowers you need growing just outside your door? It’s possible with your own cut flower garden, and it’s easier than you may think! In this class we’ll cover everything you need to get started, including:

· Annuals, perennials, herbs, and shrubs

· Varieties that are easy to grow and beautiful for cuts

· Soil basics

· Prepping your garden space

· Watering, weeding, fertilizing, and maintaining your garden

· How to cut and condition cut flowers for arrangements

To register click here

Mothers Day Weekend Annual fund-raising plant sale. May 8, 9, & 10. This is the biggest and one of the best ever plant sales. It started as a single person selling house plants at the curbside to raise funds for the school. Now the sale has grown to the size needing the Minnesota State Fair Ground Grandstand. The catalog is huge and will be shared when it is available. If you happen to be in Minneapolis/St. Paul area, this would be the fun thing to do on Mother’s Day weekend.

Mothers Day Weekend Annual fund-raising plant sale. May 8, 9, & 10. This is the biggest and one of the best ever plant sales. It started as a single person selling house plants at the curbside to raise funds for the school. Now the sale has grown to the size needing the Minnesota State Fair Ground Grandstand. The catalog is huge and will be shared when it is available. If you happen to be in Minneapolis/St. Paul area, this would be the fun thing to do on Mother’s Day weekend.

Mothers Day Weekend Annual fund-raising plant sale. May 8, 9, & 10. This is the biggest and one of the best ever plant sales. It started as a single person selling house plants at the curbside to raise funds for the school. Now the sale has grown to the size needing the Minnesota State Fair Ground Grandstand. The catalog is huge and will be shared when it is available. If you happen to be in Minneapolis/St. Paul area, this would be the fun thing to do on Mother’s Day weekend. Sunday has reduced inventory and REDUCED PRICES.

Online via Zoom with recordings available for registrants two weeks after airing.

This FREE class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online class includes an exciting educational topic that counts towards your EMG continuing education. Register once for the entire series. To register go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=5FE0BCA45C0054B52066DD1D23ED47C5EDC34155B1FAD56DC581C3C4977A3B5B

This month’s topis is Boxtree moth: Munching Monster presented by David Lowenstein - Consumer Horticulture Educator, MSU Extension

Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is a new invasive pest in Michigan that can defoliate and kill boxwood shrubs. In 2023 MDARD initiated a quarantine for boxwood shrubs. Join David Lowenstein to learn more about this voracious pest and how you can identify and potentially manage it.

Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

This member meeting will be held at Camp Daggett. The camp is at 3001 Church Road, Petosky.

To get directions from your location to the camp, just add your address at this MapQuest website

More information will posted soon.

Hold the date for the annual Charlevoix Garden Club Spring Plant Sale at Ferry Beach. The plants are from the gardens of club members. The money raised supports the work of maintaining nine gardens throughout Charlevoix.

This is meant to hold the date and anticipate a great plant sale hosted by NMMGA members at the Emmet County Fairground in Petoskey.

A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.

Getting Started with Native Plants is taught by Monica Gruler Farrier, Master Gardener and owner of Gruler Gardens in Petoskey, a local source of native plants, cut flowers, and handcrafter art inspired by nature. The class is held at the North Central Michigan College Health & Science Building in room 333.

Are you curious about native plants but don’t know how to use them in your garden? If so, this class is for you!

Fall is a perfect time to get your plants in the ground, as they’ll have plenty of time to establish deep, healthy roots from fall through winter. Then, when spring arrives, much of your work will have been done, and you can enjoy your new plants as they emerge from the soil when the temperature rises.

In this class we’ll talk about:

·        What native plants are and why they are critical in supporting wildlife and human life

·        How native plants can make gardening easier with lower maintenance than lawns and ornamental plants

·        How native plants bring both beauty and ecological function to your garden

·        Which native plants work well in home gardens

·        Caring for native plants throughout the seasons

You’ll come away inspired and eager to get started with native plants in your garden this fall!

To register for this $30 course, click here

2026 Native Plant Sale is moving to the Spring this year! 

The sale will take place Saturday June 6th from 12-2pm in the Charlevoix County Conservation District Barn at The 2026 Species List and Garden Flat Order Forms will be available soon, so check back often! 

Our 2026 sale will once again be in collaboration with our partners in conservation, the Lake Charlevoix Association and the Walloon Lake Association & Conservancy! All of our plants are grown locally by Birdsfoot Native Nursery of South Boardman, MI.  

Stop by the district barn to 'Browse and Buy' quart and gallon sized potted pants at our once a year pop up sale.  Or, pick-up your pre-ordered Garden Flat Kit, one of several variations complete with 38 individual plugs to enhance your garden, woods, shoreline or backyard sanctuary.  Species list and order forms for flats will be available soon! See the types of plants and a suggest garden design for the Garden Flat Kits at https://www.charlevoixcd.org/native-plant-sale

Garden Flat Orders are due by April 1st, 2026 at 4pm.  Orders can be emailed or called in:  charlevoixcd@macd.org, 231-582-6193

A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.

Online via Zoom with recordings available for registrants two weeks after airing.

This FREE class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online class includes an exciting educational topic that counts towards your EMG continuing education. Register once for the entire series. To register go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=5FE0BCA45C0054B52066DD1D23ED47C5EDC34155B1FAD56DC581C3C4977A3B5B

This month’s topis is The ‘Gardening Triad’ and its Role in Community Gardeners’ Physical, Social, and Emotional Well-being presented by Dr. Katherine Alaimo - MSU Associate Professor

Join Dr. Katherine Alaimo to learn more about her research and the benefits of gardens and gardening education in communities. Learn about the benefits that go beyond exposure to nature, food production, and physical activity. Dr. Alaimo will discuss what she calls the ‘gardening triad’ which includes aspects of nurturing, feelings of accomplishment, and a connection to nature. 

A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.

A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.

A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.

The times are a place holder. Details about this work session will be published when they are available. The Pruning of the Lilacs has become an annual event with participation of NMMGA members and other garden club members such as the Boyne Valley Garden Club.  Anne Borowicz, lead MG for this event tells us: The pruning of the Lilac is an important event. We have received a lot of recognition and appreciation for our efforts.  Last year,  the lilacs in Marquette Park were able to make it through the April 2025 ice storm with very little significant damage.  Last year, we had a total of 26 people participate on the 2 pruning days. Lilacs were deadheaded in Marquette Park, St Anne's courtyard, the Marina, and the Tourism Bureau courtyard. This year, I hope that we can again do a repeat of the wonderful job that we did last year. 

A total of 25 volunteers will be needed for Tuesday, June 23, 2026 and Tuesday, June 30. Details on this MSUE approved project will be posted soon.

Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

The times are a place holder. Details about this work session will be published when they are available. The Pruning of the Lilacs has become an annual event with participation of NMMGA members and other garden club members such as the Boyne Valley Garden Club.  Anne Borowicz, lead MG for this event tells us: The pruning of the Lilac is an important event. We have received a lot of recognition and appreciation for our efforts.  Last year,  the lilacs in Marquette Park were able to make it through the April 2025 ice storm with very little significant damage.  Last year, we had a total of 26 people participate on the 2 pruning days. Lilacs were deadheaded in Marquette Park, St Anne's courtyard, the Marina, and the Tourism Bureau courtyard. This year, I hope that we can again do a repeat of the wonderful job that we did last year. 

A total of 25 volunteers will be needed for Tuesday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 30. Details on this MSUE approved project will be posted soon.

Online via Zoom with recordings available for registrants two weeks after airing.

This FREE class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online class includes an exciting educational topic that counts towards your EMG continuing education. Register once for the entire series. To register go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=5FE0BCA45C0054B52066DD1D23ED47C5EDC34155B1FAD56DC581C3C4977A3B5B

This month’s topis is Plant A Rain Garden – Keep our Rivers Clean, One Garden at a Time by Susan Bryan, Rain Garden Coordinator 

Anyone can plant a rain garden! You don’t need any special equipment – just a yard, a spade, compost and a few plants.  Rain Gardens are a beautiful addition to any landscape - and keep our rivers, lakes and streams clean!  We’ll talk about the benefits of Rain Gardens and how to build and plant one at your own home. Rain gardens are for the greater good, and are practical solutions for basement and yard flooding.   

Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

Online via Zoom with recordings available for registrants two weeks after airing.

This FREE class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online class includes an exciting educational topic that counts towards your EMG continuing education. Register once for the entire series. To register go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=5FE0BCA45C0054B52066DD1D23ED47C5EDC34155B1FAD56DC581C3C4977A3B5B

This month’s topis is Michigan Conservation Districts presented by Doug Reith - Resource Specialist, Washtenaw County Conservation District

Learn about Conservation Districts including services, resource sales, and volunteer opportunities.  

Hike the Little Traverse Conservancy Enji-minozhiiyaamigak: The Place of Peacefulness in Bayshore. Business meeting during a potluck meal will follow.

This 56-acre preserve includes 1,400 feet along Lake Michigan on Little Traverse Bay. Roughly .5 mile of universally accessible trail meanders to a lake overlook platform that offers stairs to the beach. A steel tree sculpture framing a historical Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians settlement map is found next to the platform

ADDRESS: 6413 Division Avenue, Charlevoix

Directions - From Petoskey, follow US-31 towards Charlevoix and take a right at the Bayshore gas station on Townline Road. Next take a left on Division Road and travel over a quarter mile to the wooded parking area on your right.

Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

Online via Zoom with recordings available for registrants two weeks after airing.

This FREE class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online class includes an exciting educational topic that counts towards your EMG continuing education. Register once for the entire series. To register go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=5FE0BCA45C0054B52066DD1D23ED47C5EDC34155B1FAD56DC581C3C4977A3B5B

This month’s topis is Peopling Plants and Place at Beal Botanical Garden presented by Maeve Basset - Education Director at Beal Botanical Garden & MSU Campus Arboretum

Join Maeve Bassett, ethnobotanist and Education Director of Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum in East Lansing, to explore using ethnobotany to engage audiences at a historic botanical garden! Explore the enduring legacy of the oldest university botanical garden in the U.S. and how Beal is adapting to thrive for another 150 years. Maeve will guide you through the principles of ethnobotany, the vital, interconnected relationship between people and plants, and demonstrate how she uses it to foster meaningful connections, engage the wider university, and successfully diversify the garden's audience for a more inclusive future.  

Details to follow. Hold the date! A two-part walking garden tour in Boyne City is planned for the Lake Shore garden and Rain Garden in Boyne City. A business meeting will follow.

1. Shoreline Greenbelt Demonstration Gardens on Lake Charlevoix shore in Sunset Park in Boyne City. The address for Sunset Park is 8 S. Lake Street. Here are the directions. This garden was revitalized in 2025 thanks to the leadership of NMMGA member Mike Costa, who organized and led this effort with incredible dedication, and the generous contributions of Ryan’s Landscape, NMMGA Nancy Cunningham, Gow Litzenburger, the City of Boyne City, the Wood Shop, and our amazing volunteers, the gardens have been beautifully renewed. Through thoughtful replanting with native species, this refreshed space now enhances both the ecological resilience and visual charm of the shoreline—helping to filter runoff, prevent erosion, and protect the health of Lake Charlevoix’s watershed

2. A short drive to the The Rain Garden of the Boyne River Nature Area which is nestled at the back of the Boyne City Business Park off M-75. Click for directions. The BRNA features a rain garden, a pavilion and a scenic trail leading to steps that descend to three boardwalks, allowing visitors to experience the wetland habitat up close as they make their way to the river. Established in 2014 by Friends of the Boyne River, the Boyne River Nature Area was created to showcase the beauty of the river and surrounding wetlands and educate visitors on the vital role wetlands play in our ecosystem. This project was made possible through the generous support of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, Frey Foundation, Oleson Foundation, Great Lakes Energy People Fund, the City of Boyne City, and an anonymous private donor.

Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

Online via Zoom with recordings available for registrants two weeks after airing.

This FREE class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online class includes an exciting educational topic that counts towards your EMG continuing education. Register once for the entire series. To register go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=5FE0BCA45C0054B52066DD1D23ED47C5EDC34155B1FAD56DC581C3C4977A3B5B

This month’s topis is Horticultural Horrors: Tales of Plants, Pests, and Poor Decisions presented by Barbara Gregerson, Barslund Judd, and Lindsey Kerr - Consumer Horticulture, MSU Extension

Join MSU Extension Educators for a fun look at the dark side of gardening! Cringe as they share a collection of downright disturbing photographs of pruning blunders, disfiguring plant diseases, terrifying invasive species, and more. Treat yourself to an evening of learning tricks and tips to keep your own garden from becoming a horror show.

Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

Online via Zoom with recordings available for registrants two weeks after airing.

This FREE class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online class includes an exciting educational topic that counts towards your EMG continuing education. Register once for the entire series. To register go to this link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=5FE0BCA45C0054B52066DD1D23ED47C5EDC34155B1FAD56DC581C3C4977A3B5B

This month’s topis is Michigan Natural Features Inventory and their Resources for Michiganders presented by Joshua Cohen, Senior Conservation Scientist for Michigan Natural Features Inventory, MSU Extension  
Join MSU Extension's Senior Conservations Scientist, Joshua Cohen, to learn about the interesting and important work the Michigan National Features Inventory (MNFI) team does to guide the conservation of Michigan's biodiversity. Their mission is to serve as the authoritative source of information on biodiversity that is widely used to conserve Michigan's unique natural heritage for current and future generations. Joshua will discuss MNFI resources for the public, including his work creating 'A Field Guide to the Natural Communities of Michigan.’

Save the date! Pot-luck holiday luncheon. Details to follow.

The topic for this session will be posted as soon as we know what it is! Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.

The topic for this session will be posted as soon as we know what it is! Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.

All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.

Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.

All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.