“Garden Escape”: An Invasive Species and Native Plant Solutions Presentation

Purple Horsemint hosting a Black Swallowtail: for summer blooms and tea (photo by Sally Wagoner)

Blood Root: early April native bloomer provides food for bees. (photo by Sally Wagoner)

A presentation about native plants and invasive species will be given on Thursday, May 9, 6pm at Brooks Township Hall, 490 Quarterline Street, Newaygo. The public is invited to this free program to be held at the next Citizens Environmental Watch and Action Coalition (CEWAC) meeting.

The focus of this event is how common plants that are brought to gardens and yards for beauty can often be detrimental to Newaygo County’s native habitats, ecosystems, pollinators (such as bees and butterflies), and wildlife.

The solutions will be presented as well: to instead plant native species of flowers, shrubs and trees to enhance your property which will also feed and house our important wild residents.

Randy Butters of the Newaygo Invasive Plant Project will give a presentation about common garden plants that have escaped the boundaries of our property lines and encroached on Newaygo’s sensitive forest and prairie habitats. He will advise participants on which plants in particular are best to avoid planting in your landscape.

Sally Wagoner of CEWAC will then give a visual presentation of alternative native plants to grow that will beautify your home as well as strengthen the food and habitat infrastructures for bees, butterflies, beneficial insects and birds. Participants will learn how to choose native plants that are non-hybrids so as to offer the food sources most beneficial to bees and butterflies.

Luke Cotton of the Newaygo Conservation District will cap the program with information about the NCD’s annual Native Plant Sale, where participants will be able to order non-hybrid, quality native plants for their gardens. The annual plant sale is held in June with orders taken in the near future.

Nick Looman, 3R Environmental Education, will make his debut appearance as the organization’s new Executive Director. Co-creator and owner of Newaygo Brewery, Nick is enthused about broadening his roots in the Newaygo area through environmental impact.  Nick will be instrumental in helping to expand 3R’s school and community environmental education programs as well as increasing the outreach and influence of Citizens Environmental Watch and Action Coalition.