Wild Ones Red Cedar Chapter 2025 Calendar of Events
To see events offered by all the Wild Ones chapters, follow this link.
In addition to the current WORCC programs, you can scroll down to see videos of past Zoom meetings. Enjoy!
To see events offered by all the Wild Ones chapters, follow this link.
In addition to the current WORCC programs, you can scroll down to see videos of past Zoom meetings. Enjoy!
We have all kinds of interesting programs scheduled for 2025. Continue to check back for all the details!
Purple fringed orchid at River Bend Gardens
Saturday, July 26, 2025 - 9:00 (or 10:30) am ET - see description
River Bend Gardens Visit
115 Mound St., Manchester, MI 48158 (arrive at 9:00 am for a 3 mile hike)
328 River Bend St., Manchester, MI 48158 (arrive at 10:30 am for a short walk)
(see map)
River Bend Gardens is made up of 12 gardens, with nine natural plant communities, and several glacial features in the landscape from kames, an outwash plain, to a floodplain that includes a Buttonbush depression. In addition to the River Raisin, the property includes a 4 acre pond, two brooks, and over 30 natural springs.
Guests who would like to hike the 3 mile Garden Trail, should arrive at 9:00 am at the East Entrance Garden (115 Mound Street). Park either in the horseshoe drive, or on the shoulder of Mound Street on the north side of the street. Guests who prefer a shorter walk should arrive at 10:30 am at the West Entrance Garden (328 River Bend Manchester). There is adequate parking off the street on garden property.
Be aware that while there are established trails, they are not completely groomed, the garden is not ADA compliant, nor is there a restroom present on the property. Visitors can learn about the mechanics of the preservation work and prairie restoration and after the discussion and Q&A, you are free to walk the trails and experience the gardens at your own pace.
Those who would like to carpool should meet at the MDOT carpool lot located at 2335 Woodlake Dr, Okemos, MI 48864 1.5 hrs prior to you preferred arrival time. Meet for carpooling at 7:30 am if you plan to do the 3 mile garden hike, meet for carpooling at 9:00 am if you would rather do the shorter walk at River Bend Gardens.
River Bend Gardens Visit
115 Mound St., Manchester, MI 48158 (arrive at 9:00 am for a 3 mile hike)
328 River Bend St., Manchester, MI 48158 (arrive at 10:30 am for a short walk)
(see map)
River Bend Gardens is made up of 12 gardens, with nine natural plant communities, and several glacial features in the landscape from kames, an outwash plain, to a floodplain that includes a Buttonbush depression. In addition to the River Raisin, the property includes a 4 acre pond, two brooks, and over 30 natural springs.
Guests who would like to hike the 3 mile Garden Trail, should arrive at 9:00 am at the East Entrance Garden (115 Mound Street). Park either in the horseshoe drive, or on the shoulder of Mound Street on the north side of the street. Guests who prefer a shorter walk should arrive at 10:30 am at the West Entrance Garden (328 River Bend Manchester). There is adequate parking off the street on garden property.
Be aware that while there are established trails, they are not completely groomed, the garden is not ADA compliant, nor is there a restroom present on the property. Visitors can learn about the mechanics of the preservation work and prairie restoration and after the discussion and Q&A, you are free to walk the trails and experience the gardens at your own pace.
Those who would like to carpool should meet at the MDOT carpool lot located at 2335 Woodlake Dr, Okemos, MI 48864 1.5 hrs prior to you preferred arrival time. Meet for carpooling at 7:30 am if you plan to do the 3 mile garden hike, meet for carpooling at 9:00 am if you would rather do the shorter walk at River Bend Gardens.
Bumble Bee on False SunflowerUSFWS Midwest Region
Flickr.com
Sunday, August 24, 2025 Note Date Change!
MSU Bee Palooza
MSU Horticulture Gardens, 1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing, Michigan
Come visit the Wild Ones Red Cedar Chapter booth at Bee Palooza! We will have information on native plants that support pollinators, plus coloring sheets and puzzles for kids.
Bee Palooza is a celebration of pollinators and the promotion of pollinator stewardship. There will be interactive activities for all ages to increase awareness about pollinators and provide attendees with tips on what they can do to help. Follow this link for all the details including a map of activities.
MSU Bee Palooza
MSU Horticulture Gardens, 1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing, Michigan
Come visit the Wild Ones Red Cedar Chapter booth at Bee Palooza! We will have information on native plants that support pollinators, plus coloring sheets and puzzles for kids.
Bee Palooza is a celebration of pollinators and the promotion of pollinator stewardship. There will be interactive activities for all ages to increase awareness about pollinators and provide attendees with tips on what they can do to help. Follow this link for all the details including a map of activities.
Fall 2024 Plant Sale at Fenner Nature Center
Wild Ones Red Cedar Fall Native Michigan Plant Sale
Saturday, September 13, 2025 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910, USA
A wide selection of perennial wildflowers, grasses/sedges, trees and shrubs grown by Bendy Stem Farm will be available for purchase. Owner Ben Crocker will be on site to help answer your native plant questions as well as many experienced Wild Ones members. Native plants support birds, butterflies and pollinators. Add some to your landscape and watch it come to life!
WORCC Chapter members will get a 10% discount on plant purchases. To become a member, visit this Wild Ones page and select Red Cedar Chapter. Join us today!
Saturday, September 13, 2025 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910, USA
A wide selection of perennial wildflowers, grasses/sedges, trees and shrubs grown by Bendy Stem Farm will be available for purchase. Owner Ben Crocker will be on site to help answer your native plant questions as well as many experienced Wild Ones members. Native plants support birds, butterflies and pollinators. Add some to your landscape and watch it come to life!
WORCC Chapter members will get a 10% discount on plant purchases. To become a member, visit this Wild Ones page and select Red Cedar Chapter. Join us today!
Oriole along the Lansing River Trail - M. Beloskur
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Saturday September 20, 2025 - 10:30 am ET
Urban Natural Areas Beautification Old Town Lansing, near Burchard Park (specific meeting location TBD) Learn about a new, collaborative effort between Michigan Waterways Stewards and the Mid-Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area to remove invasive plant species along an abandoned railroad near Burchard Park in Old Town and to plant native trees, shrubs and flowers. Our presenters will be Stephanie Day, Invasive Species Coordinator for the Mid-Michigan CISMA and Mike Stout with Michigan Waterways Stewards. |
Bur Oak, M. Beloskur
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October 12, 2025 - Date and Time TBD
Forest Bathing Michigan State University Sanford Natural Area, meet on the west side of the Natural Area, where the trail meets the Bogue Street bridge. Forest bathing is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku. Join us for this guided experience. Participants will enjoy the opportunity to be in a forested environment, to slow down, and to connect to our natural surroundings with intention. This practice is designed to promote a calm, clear mind, and overall wellness. Our experience will be led by Georgia Peterson, Natural Resources Extension Specialist with Michigan State University Extension |
Karner Blue Butterfly
by USFWS Midwest Region Flickr.com |
November 12, 2025 - 7:00 pm
Butterfly Declines and What Can be Done About Them Michigan Nature Association Bldg, 2310 Science Pkwy #100, Okemos, MI 48864 In a recent publication, Professor Elise Zipkin of Michigan State University and her coauthors document an alarming decline in native butterfly populations in North America. As well as their universal aesthetic appeal to humans, butterflies play essential ecosystem roles in natural and agricultural settings. The factors underlying this decline are complex, and large data sets gathered and analyzed by this team of researchers are revealing causes and pointing to potential policies that can help reverse the trend. Follow this link for more details about the study. This talk is free and open to the public. Edwards et al. (2025) Rapid butterfly declines across the United States during the 21st century. Science 387: 1090. |
Past Programs
 Trillium and moreby Great Smoky Mountains National Park Flickr.com February 21, 2024
Planting for Shade Bill Schneider, Owner of Wildtype native plant nursery in Mason, Michigan shares the many factors to consider when gardening in shade. There are all sorts of different shade conditions (wet/dry, dappled/dense, etc.) with different implications. Many plants are more widely adapted than you might find them in nature. This video is sure to have something helpful for anyone gardening in shade. To watch a recording of this webinar follow this link, or click on the following window. |
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 Speaker Mike Weis in His First Native Garden
January 17, 2024
Designing Native Plant Gardens: Minimizing the Error in "Trial and Error" Experienced native plant gardener and designer Mike Weis, owner of Dropseed! Native Gardens and Ecological Restoration in Kalamazoo MI, takes us through the steps in the first garden he ever installed. He will present a slideshow of images of his garden through the years to illustrate how some decisions/methods that were used worked well while others did not. To watch a recording of this webinar follow this link, or click on the following window. |
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 Black Swallow-Wortby Ingeborg van Leeuwen Flickr.com November 15, 2023
Invasive Species Update Michelle Beloskur, the Midwest Invasive Plant Network’s full-time Coordinator (MIPN.org), will bring us up-to-speed on invasive plants that may be moving into our area, as well as those that are being tackled right now. She will have tips on what to watch for and what to do if you discover a new population of invasive plants. If we can catch these invaders at an early stage, the easier it will be to eradicate them. To watch a recording of this webinar follow this link, or click on the following window. |
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 Spring Beautiesby khteWisconsin Flickr.com March 16th, 2022
Spring Beauties: Native Wildflowers for the Woodland Garden Tired of tulips? Find daffodils dull? How about trying out some of Michigan's native spring ephemerals! From trout lilies to trillium, from the exotic to the familiar, explore some native alternatives for the spring garden with Cheryl M. English, Advanced Master Gardener and owner of Black Cat Pottery. Hope you can join us! To watch a recording of this webinar follow this link, or click on the following window. |
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 Bath in the Lightby Martin Gommel Flickr.com February 16th, 2022
Forest Bathing: A Nature Boost We all know we feel better after a walk in the woods. The Japanese call this Shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing," simply spending time in nature to relax, rejuvenate, and reduce stress. Join us for this Zoom program to learn more about how and why immersion in nature increases our sense of well-being. Our virtual guest speakers will be Maureen Stine, Certified Environmental Educator with Natureology.me and Georgia Peterson, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University. Hope you can join us! To watch a recording of this webinar follow this link, or click on the following window. |
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 Asian Jumping Wormby Tom Potterfield Flickr.com January 19th, 2022
Exotic Invasive Earthworms in Michigan: Asian Jumping Worms Asian Jumping Worms have recently been found in the Greater Lansing area. They are much more destructive to plants and soil than other earthworms. Our virtual guest speaker will be Scott Tiegs, Ph.D. Professor of Biological Sciences at Oakland University. He and his colleague, Holly Greiner-Hallman, first found Jumping Worms in the Oakland University Biological Preserve in 2008 and can help us learn what to look for and how to avoid moving them around. Join us for this interesting and important talk. To watch a recording of this webinar follow this link, or click the following window. |
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