Our first indoor program of 2010 is Wednesday, January 27th. Please see our chapter page for further details on our upcoming programs and field trips.

    Jan 27, 2010 (Wed)    

Brad Slaughter Opens 2010 Wild Ones Programs with “Michigan’s Diverse, Strange & Charming Flora”

Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones will gather Wednesday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. for a wildflower slide show by Brad Slaughter, field botanist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Brad’s topic is “Michigan’s Diverse, Strange, and Charming Flora: From Sand to Marl, Some Grand, Some Gnarled.”

Michigan supports approximately 1,800 native species of vascular plants which exhibit a diversity of adaptations to the varied ecosystems in which they live. Brad’s wildflower slide show and talk will feature an array of primarily herbaceous plant species from across the state that capture this morphological and ecological diversity.

Many of the species featured are available for use in gardens and landscaping, and can serve to brighten up a shaded patch of ground or add a splash of color to a barren patch of sandy lawn. The images will give us a brief respite from winter and remind us that spring, seemingly distant, is not too far away.

Brad’s program is the first of the year in the continuing series, “Sustaining a Community of Life in Our Yards” (see schedule below for the full listing of this year’s programs).

We’ll gather, as usual, at the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 2208 Winchell, Kalamazoo. Socializing begins at 7 p.m.; announcements, election of officers for 2010, and program begin at 7:30.

Brad Slaughter is a botanist and ecologist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory, where his primary duties include assisting the Michigan DNR Wildlife Division's Landowner Incentive Program in the survey, management, and restoration of high quality wildlife habitat and conducting surveys of ecological communities and rare plants. Brad has studied the Midwestern flora since high school, and enjoys seeking out and photographing rare plant species in his free time. Brad holds a B.S. in Biology from Albion College (2002) and an M.S. in Botany from Miami University (2005).

    Feb 24, 2010 (Wed)    

PROGRAM - Ann Fraser, “Native Bees and Pollination.

    Mar 24, 2010 (Wed)    

PROGRAM - Ilse Gebhard, “Butterflies and Moths: Attracting Them to Your Yard.”

    Apr 24, 2010 (Sat)    

FIELD TRIP - Richard Brewer, field trip for Spring Ephemerals. Big Island Woods in Schoolcraft

    May 22, 2010 (Sat)    

FIELD TRIP - Chad Hughson and Tyler Bassett, field trip for Late Spring and Early Summer Wildflowers in the Oak Barrens. Allegan State Game Area.

    Jun 06, 2010 (Sun)    

PLANT EXCHANGE - Tom Small, host for the 18th Annual Spring Plant Exchange--and Memorial Celebration of the life of Nancy Small. Nancy Small’s Garden.

    Jun 19, 2010 (Sat)    

FIELD TRIP - Ann Fraser, field trip for Native Bees. Location To Be Announced.

    Jul 17, 2010 (Sat)    

FIELD TRIP - Mary Ann Menck, “Placing Native Shrubs in Your Landscape,” field trip to Mary Ann’s Michigan Trees and Shrubs, Paw Paw.

    Aug 21, 2010 (Sat)    

FIELD TRIP - Russ Schipper, Ilse Gebhard and Kalman & Becky Csia, A Tour of Members’ Yards (Emphasis on Sustaining the Community of Life). Open to the general public

    Aug 29, 2010 (Sun)    

PLANT EXCHANGE - Tom Small and the Wild Ones, hosts for the Wild Ones Fall Plant and Seed Exchange. Tom Small’s Home

    Sep 11, 2010 (Sat)    

FIELD TRIP - Nate Fuller, field trip to explore the Diversity of Plant Life in the Bow in the Clouds Preserve, Kalamazoo.

    Oct 27, 2010 (Wed)    

PROGRAM - Sharon Gill, “Urban Ecology: The Lives of Plants and Animals in the City.

    Nov 17, 2010 (Wed)    

PROGRAM - Tom Small, “Working with Nature to Sustain the Community of Life.”