2012 Wild Events

Email Your Photos of this year's events for inclusion!!

All programs (unless otherwise specified) will begin at 7:00 pm on the third Monday of each month.
For details, see current Newsletter.

    Non-members are always welcome!

  • Our Next Event - May 21st

    Blanford Wildflower Program
    The wildflowers are blooming at Blandford Nature Center! One of our most popular
    speakers in the area, Dr. Mary Jane Dockery, will lead us on a floral adventure down the
    trails as we explore the many varieties of plants that can be found there. This is a very
    special place so even if we have missed some the blooms due to the early spring we
    received, there still will be plenty to see and learn.
    Immediately following the hike, refreshments will be available and we will also hold our
    annual native plant exchange. This gets bigger each year with more and more diversity in
    plants. It is a great way add to your garden and do not worry if you have none to bring, we
    all want to share our bounty with those who are just getting started! See you all on May 21!
    See the below and current newsletter for more details




    Monday, February 20
    Topic:  A screening of the Film "Green Fire - A Land Ethic for our Time". This was a
    beautiful documentary on the life and work of Aldo Leopold

    Monday, March 19
    Speaker:   Holli Ward, Owner of Michigan Butterflies, LLC.
    Topic:         The River City Wild Ones chapter was honored to have Holli Ward, owner of   
    Michigan Butterflies, LLC and President of West Michigan Butterfly Association as our speaker.  
    Her business specializes in Monarch butterfly special event releases, butterfly gardening, and
    educational materials about Monarchs. To do all of this of course one has to have Monarch
    butterflies, and to have them one has to learn how to feed them, care for them and breed them.
    Holli does all this with the help of her able interns and a lot of enthusiasm.


    Monday, April 16
    Speaker:   Mary Ann Menck, Owner of Mary Ann's Michigan Trees and Shrubs
    Topic:         "25 Native Plants You've Never  Heard of but Wish You Had." Mary Ann is the
    owner of Mary Ann’s Michigan Trees and Shrubs, a business based in Paw Paw, Michigan which
    sells native plants to retail customers. Eleven years ago Mary Ann became one of the rare growers
    of native plants occupying a much needed niche in the retail market for people wanting to bring
    native Michigan plants to their environments. She specializes in trees and shrubs grown in pots
    which can be bought by walk-in customers, taken home and planted with minimal work by the
    client. Because of the scarcity of native plants Mary Ann also gets additional business from
    people all over the


    Work has officially begun on phase one of the Native Plant Demonstration Garden
    located at 920 Cherry, SE in the East town neighborhood of Grand Rapids. River City
    Wild Ones is teaming up with Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) to reconstruct a
    garden in order to showcase the beauty of native plants. Our mission is to help
    educate the public about the role of native plants as part of an Urban or Formal setting
    so that visitors may be inspired to plant natives at their own homes and businesses.

    For more information, please go to the Native Plant Demonstration Garden Blog.


    Monday, May 21
    Speaker:   Mary Jane Dockeray, PHD
    Topic:         This local beloved Naturalist will lead us on a foray to learn the
                    characteristics of our native spring wildflowers.
    Location:    Blanford Nature Center
                        1715 Hilburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, 49504 (map)

    Monday, June 18
    Speaker:   Melanie Manion, Natural Resources Management
                        Supervisor Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission.
    Topic:         Melanie will lead us on an exploration of the flora of Grand River Ravines, a new
                        park in the Ottawa County system that has yet to be opened to the public.
                        The hike will require traversing a shallow creek - wear appropriate footwear!
    Location:    Grand River Ravines County Park
                        42nd Avenue - about 1/3 mile North of Fillmore Street, Allendale, 49401 (map)
                        Approximate location - better map will be added when available. A GVSU trail map
                        is shown here.

    Monday, July 16
    Speaker:   Kurt Mirandette, Science Instructor
                        City High/Middle School
    Topic:         Field trip to Huff Park to learn about this wetland ecosystem,
                        its flora, fauna, and student research.
    Location:    Huff Park (North Parking Lot)
                        Near Intersection of Aberdeen and Ball Ave Ne, Grand Rapids, 49505 (map)

    Monday, August 20
    Speaker:   Matt Schultz, Regional Stewardship Organizer
                        Michigan Nature Association (MNA)
    Topic:         We will explore a portion of  the 110 acre Newaygo Prairie
                        Sanctuary containing over 100 prairie plants.
    Location:    North of Newaygo on M-37, take first right (Croton Dr.)after crossing
                        the Muskegon River. Turn left on  S Poplar, the sanctuary will be 0.5 miles
                        on the right. Park along road. (map)

    Monday, September 17
    Speaker:    Jesse Lincoln, Botanist/Ecologist
                         Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI)
    Topic:         Will lead us on a tour of a rare 10 acre savannah, and will
                         explain the importance of  protecting it.
    Location:    Mines Golf Course parking lot
                     330 Covell Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, 49534 (map)

    Monday, October 15
    To Be Announced

    Monday, November 19
    Sixth Annual Auction!
                    Have fun, find great gifts and raise funds for local native plant projects.
    Location:    Calvin College Bunker Interpretive Center (BIC)
                    1750 East Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, 49546 (map)



    Previous Year(s)
© 2012 River City Wild Ones.  All rights reserved.
Email questions/comments to webmaster@rivercitywildones.org.
NATIVE PLANTS, NATURAL LANDSCAPES
RIVER CITY  -  GRAND RAPIDS AREA