Start in Your Yard

Part 1: The Movie

• Hometown Habitat—Stories of Bringing Nature Home
• When: 7 p.m., Thursday, January 19, 2023
• Where: Hesterberg Hall, in the Noblet Forestry Building at Michigan Technological University

For two years, producer/director Catherine Zimmerman traveled the U.S. visiting hometown habitat heroes and filming their inspiring stories of community commitment to conservation landscaping. After the 90-minute film, Zimmerman will join the audience on Zoom to discuss her film and answer questions. This showing kicks off the 2023 season of Michigan Tech’s Sustainability Film and Discussion Series.

AFTERWARD: Over 50 people attended our showing and asked Zimmerman some great questions. Two people signed up for the Lawns Into Meadows Community Read.

Part 2: The Talk and Q&A

• “Why Natives?”
• When: 6:30 p.m., Monday, February 20, 2023
• Where: Portage Lake District Library, Houghton, Michigan

Keweenaw Wild Ones president Marcia Goodrich will discuss the value of native plants, focussing on their critical role in America’s ecosystems and the benefits they bring to homeowners and communities. She will include examples of local native gardens, sources for buying native plants, and more.

AFTERWARD: About 25 people attended, and we were able to reach out to several folks who are new to native gardening. It was great to partner with the Keweenaw Garden Club and the Portage Lake District Library.

Part 3: The Community Read

• What: Lawns into Meadows, by Owen Wormser
• Dates: Wednesdays, March 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2023
• You can attend in person or via Zoom. Here are the times:
  Zoom, 5:30–6:25 p.m.
  In Person, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
• Where (for in-person discussions): Portage Lake District Library, Michigan Room
• Register here.

Landscape designer Owen Wormser explains how to replace the deadscape we call lawn with low-maintenance, eco-friendly meadows. In this second edition of his award-winning book, he includes photos of meadows in progress plus more ways to cultivate your own organic meadow.

We’ll meet four times to discuss the book and brainstorm with experienced native gardeners on how we can design and install our own native gardens.

The more sessions you attend, the better your chances of winning some awesome door prizes!

• Alternate Lawn Mix for Sun or Shade, from Design By Nature U.P. Plants, in Marquette, a $100 value
• A $20 native-plant gift certificate from Dennis Greenhouse, in Lake Linde
• Gift certificates from Keweenaw Wild Ones plant sale

Register here to participate. Unfortunately, we have sold out of Lawns Into Meadows, but you can still order your own or check it out at your local library.