Looking to learn
something new about nature and the environment? Check out our calendar
offerings from the nonprofit groups that meet here regularly.
All programs take place at
Univ. of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens
1800 N. Dixboro Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105Programs are free and open to the public unless noted otherwise in the listing.
January
Wed., Jan. 18, 7:30 pm
Exploring the Brazilian Pantanal
Presented by Washtenaw
Audubon Society
At 75,000 square
miles, the Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world, About 80% of this
alluvial floodplain is located in Brazil, and is home to 656 bird species,
including the magnificent hyacinth and golden-collared macaws, iconic jabiru
stork, and striking helmeted manakin. Mammal watching can be quite good, with
chances for giant anteater, marsh deer, giant river otter, and Brazilian tapir.
During the dry season, lucky birders may also see the most elusive of forest
cats, the jaguar, as it hunts the abundant prey at water's edge. Join Cathy
Theisen for this exploration of the dry season Brazilian Pantanal. Cathy is a
veterinarian, avid nature watcher and birder, and serves as the education chair
for Washtenaw Audubon. Free and open to all. For more information, visit washtenawaudubon.org
Sat., Jan. 21, 11 am
Miniature Orchids
Presented by Great
Lakes Judging (Orchids)
A presentation by
Great Lakes Judging Center accredited judge Dennis Seffernick on the growing
trend of miniature orchids.
Sat., Jan. 21, 1-4 pm
So
You Want to Be a Beekeeper?
Presented by Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers
All
invited to this free beekeeping class hosted by Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers
(A2B2). The program is designed for those with no prior beekeeping experience,
or anyone interested in finding out what it takes to be keep bees. Find out
where to get bees, and what equipment will work for you as a beekeeper.
Participants will leave with everything they need to know to start keeping
their own bees. Program includes
Q&A. No registration required. Free.
FEBRUARY
Thurs., Feb. 9
Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging
Presented by Ann Arbor
Ikebana Intl. Chapter
Create your own
seasonal Ikebana arrangement with guidance by a certified instructor. Cost: $20
which covers flowers and instructor. Reservations required. Info: a2ikebana@gmail.com.
Mon., Feb 13, 10-11:30
am
Catching Your Breath
Presented by MI
Alzheimer’s Disease Center
A free monthly program
for caregivers of adults with memory loss. Designed for learning skills for
continued health and well-being. Info and to register: 734.936.8803.
Tues., Feb. 14, 7 pm
Bee Nutrition and Bee Health
Presented by Ann Arbor
Backyard Beekeepers
Eastern Apicultural
Society master beekeepers Earl & Carol Hoffman discuss the important topics
of bee health and nutrition. In the second half of the program, U-M grad
student Austin Martin discusses his academic research on the native bee
populations in Detroit.
Wed., Feb. 15, 7:30 pm
Vacation on the Riviera Maya - Birding on
Family Time
Presented by Washtenaw
Audubon Society
Join Jacco Gelderloos
for an exploration of the bird life of the coastal Yucatan peninsula and the
birding opportunities it offers. Jacco was born and raised in the Netherlands,
where his father and older brother got him infected with the birding bug. After
moving to the United States in the 1990s, Jacco was fortunate enough to come
into contact with the local birding community. Like many other birders new to
the Ann Arbor area, he was readily brought into the fold of the Washtenaw
Wingnuts as well as the Washtenaw Audubon Society. As a result, Jacco has
served as WAS field trip coordinator and is the current Ann Arbor CBC compiler.
Over the years, Jacco has had the opportunity to bird the Netherlands (and a
few surrounding countries), the US, Peru, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Mexico, and
is hoping to both expand and intensify his birding horizons in the years to
come. Free and open to all. For more information, visit washtenawaudubon.org
Mon., Feb. 20, 7:30 pm
Ferns of Southeast Michigan
Presented by Michigan
Botanical Club
A presentation by
Carol Clements of the Wayne County Parks Nankin Mills Interpretive Center.
Tues., Feb. 21, 7:30
pm
Citizens’ Climate Lobby: Grassroots Action for
Energy Alternatives
Presented by Sierra
Club Huron Valley
Volunteers from
Citizens’ Climate Lobby present CCL’s proposal for legislation to address
climate change, outlining the proposal’s effectiveness and feasibility and how
it would benefit the environment and the economy.
Wed., Feb. 22, 6:30–9
pm
Demonstration of Bonsai Grafting Techniques
Presented by Ann Arbor
Bonsai Society Jon Genereaux, a propagator at Michigan State University’s
Hidden
Lake Gardens, offers
practical hands-on experience, demonstrating root cuttings and grafting
techniques related to woody material.
Sat., Feb. 25, 1:30-3
pm
Creative Natives for Rock Gardens
Presented by Great
Lakes Chapter North American Rock Garden Society
Rising rock-gardening
star Kenton Seth from Paint Brush Gardens talks about innovative uses for
native plants of dry climates beyond simply xeriscapes.
Info:
reznicek@umich.edu.
