Events

Tour a Native Shoreline Garden on Middle Lake on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 10:00am

Jim Brueck's House, 6103 Middle Lake Rd., Clarkston

Explore how Jim transformed his Middle Lake shoreline into a thriving native garden. By planting a variety of indigenous species, he created a colorful and textured landscape that not only prevents erosion but also supports local biodiversity. These deep-rooted plants naturally filter runoff, helping keep the lake clean and healthy.

Garden Tour at Members Jim Foster and Louise Hartung's House ‘Stoneyridge’, Sunday, July 20 at 10:00am

3400 Hixon Rd., Oakland Township

Tour five areas: Louise's pollinator garden; Jim's vegetable garden and orchard; the prairie; the meadows; and a woodland garden.

The property has a circular driveway. Come in the north entry; the south entry will be bloacked so all cars will be facing in the same direction. You'll be directed where to park.

Note: Please be on time. There is only one tour. Also, please wear long pants, tucked into socks. Use insect repellent and prepare for walking in sunny, dry uplands.

After the tour, refreshments will be available in the shade.

The closing event of this year’s Less Lawn More Life Challenge, will be led by Lisa Olsen, Chapter Liaison at Wild Ones. In this webinar, you’ll learn how small, personal actions like planting native species and removing invasives, can ripple outward to inspire neighbors, change policies, and reshape communities. 

During the premiere, native plant experts from Wild Ones and collaborating organizations will be active in the live chat. They’ll be ready to answer questions, share tips, and connect viewers with resources. The live chat will remain open for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage. Please note: You must be logged into a YouTube account to participate in the chat. 

The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is a free, 12-week action series designed to help people transform traditional lawns into vibrant, life-supporting native plant habitat. Each week, participants complete a simple challenge like planting a native shrub, removing invasives, or observing pollinators to reimagine their outdoor space and take meaningful steps toward restoring biodiversity at home. 

It’s not too late to get involved. Catch up on the weekly videos and start your rewilding journey today at https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Jane Persely's House, 73881 Omo Road, Armada

Join us for a special garden walk featuring over 250 native species and a few unique exotics. Stroll the property at your own pace or join the guided tour at 11:00 am to see how these plants thrive in real-life conditions—mostly full sun, loamy soil, and average moisture.

Jean will share her plant list and the evolving story of her garden—a true work in progress with new projects blooming each year. Come get inspired and bring home something green! Click this Facebook link for more information.

Native plants will be available for purchase from East Michigan Native Plants, who will bring their mobile nursery packed with a diverse selection. For the best selection, Wild Ginger Woodlands is accepting online pre-orders and will deliver to the event: wildgingerwoodlands.com

Note: this is a Sunday tour.

Jane Giblin's gardens, 1651 Bretton Drive North, Rochester Hills

You are welcome to wander the yard, or join Jane for a guided tour at 11:30 am or 1:30 pm.

Jane’s garden is the result of 44 years of passion and purpose, inspired by Sarah Stein’s Noah’s Garden and Doug Tallamy’s  Bringing Nature Home. What started as a typical yard has transformed into a thriving, layered ecosystem that mimics an open woodland—filled with over 250 native plant species (plus a few well-behaved favorites).

You’ll find mature trees, understory shrubs, woodland wildflowers, meadow plants, ferns, wetland species, and even a 200-foot bioswale and a backyard frog pond—all supporting a rich variety of wildlife.

The garden shows how replacing lawn with native plants creates space for nature to thrive.

John Blair Garden Tour, 12249 Ladd Rd., Brooklyn, Michigan

Sunday, August 10, 11:00am

Please rsvp via the eventbrite link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-of-john-blair-gardens-tickets-1473719728379?aff=ebdssbdestsearch so we can provide John with an adequate count. You are responsible for your own transportation, carpools recommended!

John’s nine-acre property is a vibrant sanctuary for pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. His gardens feature a mix of native and non-native nectar plants, along with colorful landscaping, multiple water features, arbors, and a striking 10-foot sandstone monolith.

Beyond the gardens, ponds, and wooded trails, John has partnered with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to restore five acres of former hay fields to native prairie and savanna. The restoration began in fall 2020, with seeding completed in June 2022.

Link to Prairie photo album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgqHR

Christ Church Garden Tour, 960 East Jefferson Ave, Detroit. 

Hosted by Cheryl English, Saturday, August 16 at 10:00 am

Park in the church parking lot or along Woodbridge

Momcat Kelly (Kelly Konieczki), 524 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park 

Sunday, September 7 at 1:00pm

What began as a small monarch butterfly garden in 2019 has blossomed into a vibrant, ever-evolving wildlife haven. This homegrown habitat now features native plant beds throughout the property, supporting birds, pollinators, and other wildlife while reducing lawn space. Highlights include a front-yard pollinator bed, a rain garden that filters stormwater, a test lawn replacement with native sedges, and a pond-in-progress. There are beds in progress all around the property, as the homeowner continues to add natives and shrink the lawn, following nature’s cues. Brush piles in the back corner of the yard provide shelter as well as foraging opportunities for birds and other wildlife --memorable visitors include an Eastern towhee, Yellow-rumped warbler and even a great horned owl!

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!