Native plant unit a hit with middle schoolers
Symbiotic Schoolyard, the middle-school science unit WOK provided to Chassell science teacher Beth Squires, is proving to be an inspiring learning tool for kids.
At the Feb. 18 board meeting, Beth discussed how she integrated the unit into her nature skills course. Her students took on the role of restoration ecologists, evaluating the schoolyard’s lack of biodiversity and planning a native plant garden to attract more wildlife.
WOK member Erin Gustafson gave expert assistance, and with plants from various sources, including Wild Ones, Beth’s students installed a new garden. Bonus: She brought in youngsters from the primary grades to help the middle schoolers plant the seedlings.
While students enjoyed Symbiotic Schoolyard, Beth noted that it poses a couple of challenges, primarily getting expert guidance and sourcing plants. She plans to start some natives from seed and ask parents to “adopt” flats over the summer, so they will be ready to install in the spring.
Got a dream project that needs funding? Let us know.
Do you have a vision for an amazing native planting but no idea how to pay for it? Or maybe you know of a school, business, or nonprofit that would love to grow native but doesn’t have the resources to make that happen.
If so, speak up. Keri McCall, WOK’s new grant chair, is researching possible funding sources for native landscaping. She hopes to match potential projects with grants, which can have a multitude of weird criteria (e.g., native plantings around energy infrastructure). Some ideas in the hopper are support for KISMA (Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area) and Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Hancock.
To discuss a potential project, email Keri and/or Marcia.
Building Habitat for Native Bees: Outreach for Schools and Youth Groups
Wild Ones is partnering with Crown Bees to provide lessons on the value of native bees to school kids. If you are interested in bringing this learning adventure to young people, check out the website and download materials.
Federal funds that were to provide free bee house materials have been eliminated, though we may be able to purchase bee houses.
Wild Ones asks that we fill out applications if we are planning to lead programs, but please don’t apply yourself. If you would like to participate, contact Marcia a few days before the March 31 application deadline.
WOK welcomes new chairs
The Keweenaw Wild Ones board unanimously elected Polly Havins Feb. 18 to serve as the chapter’s membership chair. She replaces Audra Thurston, who has stepped away from the post and is now helping with social media.
The membership chair works with the president, hospitality chair and others to help our chapter attract and retain members.
Polly continues to serve as secretary but hopes to pass the baton in the coming months. The secretary’s main jobs are to run the chapter’s annual election and take roll at board meetings. Let Marcia know if you’re interested in being secretary.
In addition, three members have volunteered to take the lead on the following committees: Hospitality Chair, Susan Miko; Grants Chair, Keri McCall; and Farmers’ Market Chair, Cassie Reed-VanDam.
Many thanks to all of you who stepped up to help improve our Wild Ones chapter!
“What’s the Rush?” and other upcoming events
Along with KISMA, WOK is hosting a showing of Doug Tallamy’s video “What’s the Rush?” at 6 p.m., Friday, March 14, in room G002 of the Michigan Tech Noblet Forestry Building. A panel discussion incuding Marcia, KISMA coordinator Sigrid Resh, and U.P. Native Plants owner Michelle Wietek-Stephens will follow.
The Keweenaw Native Plant Symposium is set for 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 12, on Zoom.
On Saturday, May 31, members are invited to tour a mesocosm of a bog at the Forest Sciences Laboratory in Houghton. This medium-size replica of a bog is home to a number of fascinating plants. Our host will be Rachel Tarpey.
Recent WOK activities
Member George Jaeger gave a fascinating talk Feb. 12, “Going Native in Public Spaces: How Ottawa County is Bringing Native Plants to Parks.” Among the many topics he addressed, George discussed deer control (special hunting permits), restoring oak savannas, and techniques for battling invasives (burning, pulling, mowing, and herbicides).
On Jan. 23, about 20 folks came to our first Winter Sowing 101 workshop at the Nara Center, organized by Kristine Bradof. The attendees, including three little kids, loved it, and we plan to do it again next year. Participants started seeds in plastic cat litter containers prepared by Kristine. As a volunteer with the Keweenaw Spay and Neuter Group, she has access to an endless supply.
