Natives to Know – Orchids Compiled by Joyce Tuharsky 1,500 years ago, a Chinese poet/painter, San KoKu, was so inspired by an orchid that he proclaimed it the embodiment of nobility—epitomizing strength, elegance, purity, and humility. To this day, the orchid remains a symbol of excellence in many Asian societies. It is an example of […] Continue reading "Natives to Know – Orchids"
In our February e-News we asked our members and friends to take a survey put out by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) regarding restricting or prohibiting six invasive plant species. You responded and your voices have been heard! Six species have been added to Michigan’s invasive plant lists because of the […] Continue reading "A Big Win for the Conservation Community!"
Speckled Alder Alnus incana, Subsp. Rugosa Compiled by Wild Ones member, Joyce Tuharsky Speckled alders grow mostly as a multi-trunked tree, 15–25 feet tall, with a broad-rounded irregular crown. In the Birch family (Betulaceae), these trees are native to the cold and temperate regions of North America from Hudson Bay and Newfoundland, south to Minnesota, […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Speckled Alder"
Tips and Tricks from a Wild Gardener In-person program presented by Marty Arnold, Author, former Wild Ones River City President. Recap by Sue Cassidy, Communication Co-Chair April 20 was the Wild Ones’ first in-person meeting of 2026. Marty Arnold’s presentation shared one gardener’s 50-year journey from traditional landscaping to native plants and, eventually, full-on habitat restoration—sparked […] Continue reading "April 2026 Program Recap"
Wet, Wild, and Rare: Understanding Michigan’s Fens and Bogs Recap by Sandra Bergh, Wild Ones River City Vice President and Programs Chair Our March program, “Wet, Wild, and Rare: Understanding Michigan’s Fens and Bogs”, was held on March 16 as a Zoom Webinar. Our speaker, Ben Botwinski, is the director of the Lansing Public Schools’ Ebersole […] Continue reading "March 2026 Program Recap"