Events

Eric has assisted with research, in Michigan, focusing on how human-generated noise influences songbird communication, behavior, and fitness. At MNFI, Eric supports the work of the science staff by conducting targeted surveys for rare and declining species, with a focus on songbirds and raptors. He enjoys contributing to long-term monitoring studies and helping to assess how species respond to habitat management.

Eric Branch

Research Assistant - Zoologist

Eric joined MNFI in 2023 after working with them as a seasonal field technician in 2022. He received his BS from Western Michigan University, during which time he developed an appreciation for field work, applied science, and avian research. After graduating, Eric spent time in the Pacific Northwest, where he conducted surveys for at-risk bird species and monitored flying squirrel populations.

Curious or concerned about pollinators and native plants? Bird populations or biodiversity? No matter what topic you're interested in, you can turn your curiosity into action with Community Science! Learn about the importance of this growing movement and how you can start building your knowledge and expertise, all while contributing to local and global projects–anytime and anywhere! With Community Science people of all ages and experience levels can get involved and make a difference, all while spending time outside and connecting with nature.  

Momcat Kelly Konieczki is an outdoor educator and citizen scientist who is passionate about pollinators and environmental stewardship. She does volunteer work and outreach as Detroit Butterfly Nursery and is the Community Science Chair for Wild Ones Wayne County Chapter. Kelly also serves on Grosse Pointe Park's Beautification Commission and leads the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, a national initiative that helps guide cities toward being more pollinator-friendly. 

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

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 audience to explore with her, through pictures, the newly planted native meadow at 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 Chief Operating Officer of Friends of the Oudolf Garden, she currently leads the garden’s plant sourcing, operations and maintenance efforts. 

Dena Serrato's Garden

When Dena Serrato and April Walker moved into their house and garden in 1995,  the property was covered in lawn. There were many mature trees on the property, but although Dena was an Advanced Master Gardener, she didn’t know how to I.D. them.

She set out to learn more about woody plants by taking classes through the local Ecological Gardening program and by joining the Royal Oak Nature Society. She soon caught the native plant bug and set out to replace the lawn with natives.

Thirty years later most of the lawn is gone and the backyard is an ‘arboretum’ of trees, shrubs and plants that includes a lovely community of spring wildflowers and ferns. As a professed plant addict, Dena also collects non-invasive plants including hostas and Japanese maples.

Now in retirement, Dena and April enjoy caring for their ‘sanctuary in the city’ and find wonder in all of the creatures that visit throughout the seasons.

Emily Duthinh's Garden

Emily's garden uses mostly native plants in a typical quarter acre lot in a suburban subdivision. Turf is minimized and only present where grass is functional. Paths are covered with moss and grass. The wooded lot has many native canopy and understory trees and native planting beds defined by stone edging. Spring ephemerals in these shady beds peak in May. Several rain gardens manage stormwater and have eliminated erosion problems. A backyard pond is home to frogs, dragonflies and other native wildlife. The garden backs to the Knorr Preserve, managed by Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy.

Join Wild Ones National Board President Loris Damerow for a special presentation as part of Week 3 of the 2025 Less Lawn More Life Challenge, “Native Plants Planted Right.” Loris will walk us through the basics of native plant gardening- from choosing the right plants to planting and maintaining them with confidence.

Join us on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT for the YouTube Live premiere of this 30-minute webinar. Native plant experts from  Wild Ones, Plan it Wild, Homegrown National Park, ReWild Your Campus, and others will be active in the live chat throughout the presentation and for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage! 

This event is designed for newcomers to native gardening and is part of the national Less Lawn More Life Challenge, hosted by Plan It Wild in collaboration with Wild Ones, iNaturalist, Homegrown National Park, Pollinator Partnership  and many others! 

See more about the Less Lawn More Life Challenge:  https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

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.

North Oakland Wild Ones is having their Spring Native Plant Sale in Rochester Hills on Friday, May 30 - Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10 am to 4 pm.  Details and information on the website. 

Consumer Horticulture Educator Barbara Gregerson lived in Southern California for 18 years. She learned firsthand the necessity of gardening with little to no added water. Xeriscaping is the practice of using incorporating low water usage into your landscaping designs. Join her to learn how you can adopt or adapt xeriscaping practices to Michigan gardens.

On Friday, June 20th, at 9:00 AM Wild Ones chapters from North Oakland and Ann Arbor, will join our Wayne County chapter for a tour of the Ouldolf Garden - Detroit located on Belle Isle. Meredith Simpson, a volunteer with Oudolf Garden Detroit has very graciously agreed to lead the three Wild Ones chapters on a tour of this garden!

Piet Ouldolf is a Dutch garden designer who has, to date, designed 20 "natural" gardens throughout Europe and the US. Five of the US gardens, including Oudolf Garden - Detroit, are listed below. 

·         Oudolf Garden Detroit at Belle Isle Park (Michigan, USA, 2020)

·         Meadow garden, Delaware Botanic Gardens (Dagsboro, Delaware, USA, 2019)

·         High Line (New York City, 2006)

·         Battery Park (New York City, 2003)

·         Lurie Garden, Millennium Park (Chicago, 2003 with Kathryn Gustafson and Shannon Nichol)

While the Ouldolf Garden - Detroit would not be considered a native garden, or necessarily even a sustainable garden, our takeaway from this event could be how to incorporate world-class garden designs and plant groupings into our own native garden projects at home and in our community! 

I'm looking forward to seeing you there! Reach out if you have any questions.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!