Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds
Back & bigger than ever! The Native Plant Expo & Marketplace, hosted by the WCCD, will offer over 100 Michigan native plant species from Michigan growers in one convenient location to shop! Learn how to establish and maintain native plants and connect with local businesses specializing in native landscapes. Make a day of it and enjoy this family-friendly event at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds—free admission for all. Join us and our partners on June 3rd!
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The Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office (WCWRC) and Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) are working collaboratively on several initiatives to expand rain gardens across the watershed and Southeast Michigan. Both organizations are top "Expo Partner" sponsors. Read their articles to learn more!
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Huron River Watershed Council
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In 2005, HRWC partnered with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office (WCWRC) to create the first regional program to help residents in the county build rain gardens. Since then, more than 1,000 rain gardens have been installed. These gardens capture and treat an impressive 90-95% of the roof and driveway runoff from rainstorms! Additional partners in the Rouge River, Clinton River, and Detroit River watersheds are also joining collective efforts to expand the number of rain gardens throughout Southeast Michigan.
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Washtenaw County Rain Garden Program
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Planting a Rain Garden is fun! And a way for people to make a positive impact on the quality of the water in our rivers and streams. It starts in our own back yards. Rain gardens capture stormwater runoff before it pollutes our local rivers. When it rains, a rain garden captures the runoff from a roof or driveway. One inch of rainfall means 600 gallons of water will be captured by a typical rain garden. This is water that won't go to municipal pipes, won't add pollution to the river, and won't contribute to flooding. This water will replenish the groundwater. But before it does, it keeps the garden looking green and lush.
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The Native Plant Expo & Marketplace is in... |
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Spring Tree & Shrub Sale Report & Survey |
Another spring, another annual Tree Sale successfully completed in April. We've increased our total trees from 2022, offered new species and products, and improved our processes. Plus, we want to hear your 2023 feedback and what you want to see in 2024!
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750+ customers served |
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While 40% are returning customers, we continue to strive to meet the resource needs of all residents engaged in conservation.
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38,880+ plants distributed! |
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Nearly 10k more than last year, we've rotated species to provide conservation plant materials for all conditions and purposes.
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92+ volunteers supported |
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Thanks to our volunteers' hard (and fun) work, and for the best Tree Sale playlist yet! You are the heartwood of our tree!
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Applications open through June 11th! |
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Does your school, community organization, or non-profit need expert consultation or plant materials to create a native garden, rain garden, food forest, wind break, or other native plant project? The WCCD School & Community Habitat Grant is now accepting applications until the June 11th, 2023 deadline! Please visit our website to learn more, download the application, and explore past projects: www.washtenawcd.org/schg.
If you are a consultant who may be interested in partnering to complete these projects, please reach out to summer@washtenawcd.org. We'd love to help promote the great work you do!
Learn more by clicking the button below!
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Feral Flora
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Feral Flora creates living landscapes with a sense of place using native and nearly native plants in a naturalistic style and is one of the consultants working with grant 2022 awardees. Learn more about the company at feral-flora.com. A big thank you to Ashley and Matt!
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Lotus Gardenscapes
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We're deeply grateful to Lotus Gardenscapes for volunteering their time and talents! This award-winning landscape design and build firm is located in Dexter, Michigan, and is owned by environmental artist Traven Pelletier. They create artistic and distinctive landscapes in the greater Ann Arbor area and ensure each custom design reflects their client’s aesthetic preferences and outdoor lifestyle. Learn more at lotusgardenscapes.com.
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Feral Flora |
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Feral Flora creates living landscapes with a sense of place using native and nearly native plants in a naturalistic style and is one of the consultants working with grant 2022 awardees. Learn more about the company at feral-flora.com. A big thank you to Ashley and Matt!
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Lotus Gardenscapes |
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We're deeply grateful to Lotus Gardenscapes for volunteering their time and talents! This award-winning landscape design and build firm is located in Dexter, Michigan, and owned by environmental artist Traven Pelletier. They create artistic and distinctive landscapes in the greater Ann Arbor area and ensure each custom design reflects their client’s aesthetic preferences and outdoor lifestyle. Learn more at lotusgardenscapes.com.
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University of Michigan SEAS |
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Assistant Professor Lisa DuRussel and her graduate students at UM SEAS' Master of Landscape Architecture program have volunteered their design services and labor to help create functional and inspirational spaces! Lisa's practice, Site Science, focuses on research-based design and implementation strategies that integrate deep ecological design principles and amplifies collaborative action with deep community engagement. Many thanks to Lisa and her students!
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Limited colors & inventory, we will sell out!
It's not too late to install a rain barrel. The 55-gallon upcycled rain barrels and 275-gallon totes collect and store rainwater from roofs that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains, streams and rivers. This spring and summer, save on your water bills while keeping your plants happy. Rain barrels, rain totes, and tumbling composters are available for pre-sale with pick-up dates in May and June.
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RSVP by 5pm on May 19th |
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Invasive Species Training Seminar |
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Thursday, May 25th at the Washtenaw County Road Commission (555 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor MI)
This talk is geared towards county and municipal staff, volunteers, and partners interested in learning more about the above topics. This event is free, and registration is required. Attendees will be eligible for two RUP credits in categories 2, 3B, 6, or Commercial Core. For more information or to register, email the JLW CISMA Coordinator at shikha.singh@macd.org.
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Spring arrived: the soil is soft, the birds are singing, and the invasives shrubs are already shading out other plants! Remove those pesky plants with a Tree Puller! The WCCD Lending Library offers conservation tools & equipment.
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Would y'all just look at this farm😍
Signature Associates just sent over some updated photos of the property, house and barns on 80ac farm for sale in Saline. This farm is gorgeous and in a great location, so if you are in the market be sure to jump on this opportunity soon! To learn more visit
https://www.mifarmlink.org/southeast-mi…/82ac-farm-in-salineor reach out to Jay Chavey directly and tell him MIFarmLink sent you!
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Worried About Beech Leaf Disease on Your Property? |
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Graduate students from the U-M School of
Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) are conducting Beech
leaf disease surveys at several sites
across SE Michigan in June. Much is still unknown about this relatively
new disease which can damage and eventually kill both ornamental and native
beech trees.
If you have a large natural area in Washtenaw County with
beech trees in both the canopy and understory, please reach out to Stella
at scousins@umich.edu to inquire whether your site would be
appropriate for the survey.
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Invasive Species Training Seminar |
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Thursday, May 25th from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.
Washtenaw County Road Commission, 555 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
This talk is geared towards county and municipal staff, volunteers, and partners interested in learning more about the above topics. This event is free, and registration is required. Attendees will be eligible for two RUP credits in categories 2, 3B, 6, or Commercial Core. For more information or to register, contact the JLW CISMA Coordinator at shika.singh@macd.org
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Native Plant Expo & Marketplace |
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Saturday, June 3rd from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.
Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5045-5093 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor, MI
Shop one convenient location for Michigan native plants from several Michigan native plant growers, learn how to establish and maintain native landscapes and connect with companies specializing in planning native landscapes for residents in Washtenaw County and the surrounding areas! Learn more!
Sign-up to volunteer!
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Rain Barrel 101 Workshop |
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Saturday, June 24th from 12:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.
Growing Hope Farm, 922 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI
Preorder a new rain barrel from Washtenaw County Conservation District and conveniently pick it up at Growing Hope’s Urban Farm. Limited Rain barrels and supplies will be available to purchase on 6/24 at Growing Hope, so preorder if you want to make sure you get one. From 1-2pm, join us as Doug from WCCD leads a workshop on Rain Barrels, the importance of water conservation, and how to use their Rain Barrels at home. No purchase is required to attend the workshop.
Shop rain barrels until June 16th by clicking here!
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- City of Ypsilanti Sustainability Commission will be meeting on Monday, June 12th at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1 S Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI
- Sharon Township Planning Commission will be meeting on Tuesday, June 13th at 7 p.m. at the Sharon Township Hall, 18010 Pleasant Lake Road, Manchester, MI
- Salem Township Land Preservation & Conservation Board will be meeting on Tuesday, May 16th at 7 p.m. at the Salem Township Hall, 9600 Six Mile Road, Salem, MI
- Northfield Township Land Preservation Committee will be meeting on Monday, June 5th at 6 p.m. at Northfield Township Hall, 8350 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI
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