Protecting Our Monarchs
The Summer Lunch & Learn lecture hosted by North Central Michigan College presents Laurie Juday. This in-person lecture will teach about the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. Find out about what we can do to support the Monarch habitat. This $15 lunch and lecture has online registration: https://www.ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-6724225
No one works harder than Lauri Juday of Walloon Lake to nurture and protect Monarch butterflies. Last fall, she was awarded the Keep Michigan Beautiful, Inc., President’s Award for “Monarch Butterfly Protection.” She will bring live caterpillars, eggs and butterflies to show the life cycle of these delicate creatures.
Dig IN! Monthly MG webinars
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.
CCD Annual Summer Garden Party
The Charlevoix Conservation District invites you to its 6th Annual Garden Party. Stroll the native garden, enjoy a photo garden tour, participate in a native plant bouget raffle, enjoy light refreshments and explore conservation resources. Please RSVP to CCD by calling 231-582-6193. NMMGA will present a Smart Gardening Table and distribute packed seeds from the native garden plants on the grounds to participants. If you are available to support our work at this event, please text Beth Cowie at 202-271-7491 .
Emmet Conservation District Workshop and Native Plant Sale
The 2026 ECD Native Plant Workshop & Sale will be held on Sat. Aug 15, 2026 at 306 Stimpson, Pellston, MI (the old DNR garage). Register for the Workshop to win a garden kit to take home! Workshop 11am-1pm, Sale 1-4pm
WORKSHOP: Learn about gardening with native plants and how important they are to our pollinators from native plant expert Vern Stephens, owner of Designs by Nature, specializing in growing native plants from wild-collected seed without fertilizers and pesticides. Workshop cost: $5/person.
The Native Plant Sale Online Store is now open!! You can also register for the workshop and order plants by phone, email or snail mail. Order forms can be downloaded from the ECD website: https://www.emmetcd.org/native-plant-sale.html#/
Plant sale costs: $6/quart, $75/flat (38 plugs).
Pre-orders due by July 31. Extra plants will be available for walk-ins on the day of the sale - stop in to see what’s available!
Contact ECD for more information: send us a message through FB, phone 231-439-8977, email: Jackie.pilette@macd.org.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Soil-The foundation for thriving habitat
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.
Dig IN! Monthly MG webinars
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.
NMMGA Member Meeting
A walking garden tour in Boyne City is planned for a lakeshore garden in Boyne City. The garden is located on Lake Charlevoix in the Sunset Park at the intersection of Lake Street and Water Street. A business meeting will follow.
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
As long as you are in Boyne City, take 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.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Seeds of change-How volunteers power prairie restoration
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.
Dig IN! Monthly MG webinars
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.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Pollinator Habitat Conservation & The Energy Sector
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.
Dig IN! Monthly MG webinars
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.’
NMMGA Member Meeting and pot-luck holiday luncheon
Save the date for a pot-luck holiday luncheon with annual member recognition. Details to follow.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Topic to be named at later date
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.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Fighting Invasives at Home
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.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Earth, Wind & Fire-Impacts of Burning and Extreme Weather on Butterflies in South Texas
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.
Mushrooming with Amy and Joe Lipson
Image by
Melissa LeGette @gardenwindows from SquareSpace image library
Dragonfly Walk with Quinn Sommer
Image by Brigitte Elsner @bel_media and made available through Square Space image library
Fairground Work Session
Join us at a work session at the Emmet County Fairgrounds. This is an ongoing EMU-approved project where master gardeners give input to the management of the gardens. We assist in spring preparation and fall cleanup. NMMGA: supports the prevention of disease by the Viburnum Leaf Beetle, sustains a demonstration native garden, and counsels on weed management. Recently NMMGA was approved to create a monarch butterfly waystation. Members may join this work session or any of the sessions scheduled this season. Stay for part or all of the three hour block. Enter the fairgrounds from Eppler Road. Contact Linda Guthrie to confirm at 231-347-3007.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Mapping and Maximizing Monarch Habitats on Federal Conservation Lands
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.
MSUE Healthy Habitats and Productive Pollinators Conference
Photo credit A. Fiedler from MSUE 2007 document on pollinators
Smart Gardening at Lilac Festival
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.
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc-95th Annual Conference & Flower Show
Save the date! The conference is on June 7 and 8, The conference and statewide flower show will be at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton Ann Arbor North 3600 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105. To review the flower show information, click here. The flowers are judged on June 7 and open to the public for viewing on June 8 from 8 am to 4 pm.
Native Plant Sale-Boyne City
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
Getting Started with Native Plants
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
Smart Gardening at Lilac Festival
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.
Container Gardening: Fun Pots & Planters for Summer
Image from SquareSpace stock and created by Zoshua Colah @zoshuacolah
