Events

Cam Mannino shares the transformational restoration work going on in the parks and natural areas of Oakland Township.  Abandoned farm fields have become flowering tall grass prairies.  A wet meadow along the Paint Creek Trail now blooms with rare to uncommon wildflowers that struggled to survive for 150 years after the arrival of a railroad in 1872.  An original bed of Paint Creek, long hidden in a tangle of invasives, emerges as a forest is restored.  If you need a spring jolt of inspiration about the importance of native wildflowers and would enjoy seeing the restoration magic happening in large natural areas nearby, this photo-filled presentation might do it for you!  

Cam Mannino graduated  from the University of Michigan and has a Master's degree from the U of M in teaching and counseling.  She worked as a high school English teacher, a school counselor and a foster care worker with Vietnamese refugee unaccompanied minors.  Cam has volunteered under the stewardship of Dr. Ben VanderWeide of Oakland Township for 10 years. She writes and does photography for a monthly blog on his stewardship website called Natural Areas Notebook .  The blog covers the plants, trees, insects, birds etc. that residents can discover in our 11 parks.  

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

Meredith will invite the audient to explore, with her through pictures, the newly planted native meadow @  the Oudolf Gardens on Belle Isle, MI, 

Meredith Simpson is  a longtime perennial gardener with particular interests in modern planting design and environmental stewardship. As a member of the all-volunteer “grounds crew” and serving as COO of Friends of the Oudolf Garden, she currently leads the garden’s plant sourcing, operations and maintenance efforts. 

What does it mean to have a healthy soil and what are people talking about when they talk about regenerative agriculture? Join us for a conversation about planting with the soil in mind and using holistic management practices.

Christine Charles is a Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educator located at the W. K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners. She has a background in soil science, agronomy, and environmental science. Christine works to support and increase the adoption of regenerative practices, like those that improve soil health and weather resiliency.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!