 On Saturday, October 4, community members are invited to collect their own native plant seeds with Katie Clark of the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC). This event is from 2pm – 4pm at the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Tall Grass Prairie Installation, 4424 W. 48th St, Fremont, 49412. Walk-ins are welcomed but registration is recommended for schedule updates. To Register go to: https://bit.ly/NativePlantSeeds; Scan the QR code below; Or go to NCEC Facebook Events Page (NCEC2/events). For questions email [email protected]; call or text 231.519.3419. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather should it be cold or wet; wear closed toe shoes or boots, long pants and sleeves. Rescheduling due to weather will be sent in an email to those who register, and will be posted on the NCEC Facebook Events page. Guests should also bring several envelopes such as large manila or long letter size for the seed colleting, plus a sharpie for marking them. “Collecting native plant seeds is a fantastic, and free, way to enhance your yard and garden's biodiversity while supporting the local ecosystem,” stated Katie Clark. “By planting native species, you can create habitats for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment. Native plants are well-adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them resilient and low-maintenance additions to any landscape.” During the seed-collecting foray, participants will learn about the ethical ways to collect native plant seeds, how to differentiate between native and non-native plants and seeds, and how to ensure the viability of collected seeds until they are ready for planting. This hands-on experience will provide valuable insights into the importance of preserving native plant species and their role in supporting local ecosystems. “Those who collect seeds on October 4th with us can then come to our free ‘Winter Seed Sowing Workshop’ in January. Here we show the many ways to prepare and plant native seeds in the winter so they will sprout in spring and be ready to put in your garden in early summer,” added Katie. “One way is to plant them in used milk jugs, which make great mini greenhouses. So start saving your milk jugs now for winter seed sowing!”
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 Article and photo by Donna Iverson Blanket flower, with its colorful orange and yellow disk-shaped flowers, is one of the longest lasting summer blooms. A native of North America, this wildflower blooms from July through September and even into October. Also called Indian blanket flower, it often produces a single flower on each two-foot hairy gray-green stalk. It is named Indian blanket as it resembles the vibrant coloring of Native American woven blankets, of yellow, orange and red. Blanket flower is both heat and drought resistant and tolerates sandy poor soil. It is often found in disturbed areas. It would make a great addition to a wildflower, native plant, meadow, pollinator, or xeriscape garden. A member of the aster family, it produces hundreds of seeds which can be collected in late fall when they turn brown. The plant also readily self-sows. Gardeners do not need to deadhead this plant to keep it flowering. It should be cut back to about 6 inches high in winter. Blanket flower likes full sun and attracts numerous pollinators such as butterflies, bee, and hummingbirds. An annual, it is the state flower of Oklahoma. In flower symbolism, it represents joy, happiness, resilience and protection. Medicinally, it has been used in the past to treat stomach problems and inflammation of the skin. Today, it is being studied for its antibacterial and anticancer properties.  Photo courtesy of  The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition is hosting a free training on Prescribed Burns for habitat restoration that will be held on Saturday, September 20th from 10am until 4pm. The program will be held at the Newaygo United Christian Church, 432 Quarterline St, Newaygo 49337. Lunch, examples of prescribed fire equipment, and a field trip to the nearby Prairie Sanctuary are included. Stuart Goldman of the Michigan Nature Association will lead the seminar. Stuart is MNA’s Conservation Coordinator for lower Western Michigan, and manages the habitats and volunteers for the MNA’s Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary, Newaygo Prairie Sanctuary, and Brooks Township’s Coolbough Natural Areas in Newaygo County. “This training is for private landowners who need controlled fire for habitats and wildfire prevention, and for native habitat stewards and volunteers,” stated Stuart. “It will cover why controlled burns are needed to improve the health of native ecosystems and their species. We will stress the safety aspects of controlled burns, as well as when and how they should be used.” Fire is becoming more common as a tool for land management. MNA hopes to burn several sections of their prairie preserves this year, and at least one permit has been issued. The Forest Service and DNR regularly burn large areas of the Manistee. In addition to creating favorable conditions for certain plants like Jack Pine, regular prescribed burning reduces the risk of serious forest fires by using the fuel in a controlled way. “Newaygo really needs a team of knowledgeable prescribed burn volunteers,” explained Katie Clark of NCEC. “This will be a great start in helping to inform landowners and community members on the importance of controlled fire on public and private lands, and in creating a volunteer Prescribed Burn Team for our area.” The Newaygo Region is home to a unique variety of plant communities: heritage ecosystems such as oak savannahs and dry sand prairies once formed a patchwork of biodiversity, and are now critically imperiled. These are “fire-dependent ecosystems”, which means, according to the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council, that without the presence of fire they will disappear. “We are thrilled to co-host our second Prescribed Burn training,” stated Sally Wagoner, Board Vice Chair of the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition. “We invite anyone who has a need for prescribed burns on their property, who would like to volunteer for future controlled fires, or who are just interested in our local native plants and habitats to join us.” Registration is required and can be accessed by (scanning the QR code) or by (checking NCEC’s Facebook page under “Events” and clicking on the Ticket link). Registration can also be requested by emailing: [email protected]. More information can be found on our website, www.nc-ec.org, and questions can be directed to NCEC at 231-519-3419. The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to supporting the beauty and sustainability of the environment of Newaygo County. Volunteer opportunities are available surrounding the focus areas of Youth Environmental Allies, 3R-Reduce-Reuse-Recycling, LOBO: Love Our Beautiful Outdoors, and Healthy Habitats. If interested, contact [email protected].   Puzzles, Painting, and Plants at Fremont Library
Fremont Area District Library has announced a full calendar of programs this September, offering a wide range of activities for children, teens, and adults. The month begins with Saturday Storytime on September 6 at 11:00 a.m. Children ages 0–5 and their caregivers are invited to enjoy stories, songs, and activities that encourage early literacy and a love of reading. On Monday, September 8 at 2:00 p.m., the library will show the feature film Ordinary Angels (PG; 1 hr. 58 min.) as part of its Movie Monday series. Screenings are free, and snacks are provided. Middle schoolers are welcome at the Tween Book Club on Tuesday, September 9 from 3:30–5:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy free pizza and snacks, and book discussions with peers. September’s book is Warriors Into the Wild by Erin Hunter, and books can be checked out at the library’s front desk. On the same day, the Truth Be Told Book Club will meet at 4:00 p.m. for adult readers who enjoy thought-provoking discussions. September’s book is The Wager by David Grann, and copies are available to check out at the library’s front desk. Families can drop in for Lego Saturday on September 13 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Children of all ages are encouraged to build and create with the library’s large collection of Lego bricks, and creations will be put on display in the Children’s Department. The Children’s Afternoon Movie will feature Bad Guys 2 (PG; 1 hr 44 min) on Thursday, September 18 at 4:00 p.m. This free event is perfect for after-school fun, and includes a free screening and free snacks. The library’s book discussion groups continue with the Books & Bites Book Group on Wednesday, September 24 at 10:00 a.m. Readers can enjoy lively conversation along with breakfast pastries and coffee. September’s book will be Love & Saffron by Kim Fay, and copies are available for check out at the library’s front desk. On the same morning, the library will host Toddler Storytime at 10:00 a.m. for ages 0–3, while Family Storytime for ages 0–5 will follow on Thursday, September 25 at 10:00 a.m. On the evening of Thursday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m., all ages are invited to join the library’s Puzzle Competition. Teams of 3–4 will race to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, with prizes awarded to the fastest finishers. Registration is required by calling 231-928-0256. For adults interested in art, Canvas & Cookies with Nikki’s Creations will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 1:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy cookies while following step-by-step painting instruction from local artist Nikki Hansen to create a fall painting. Space is limited, and registration is required by calling 231-928-0256. The month concludes with Fall Native Plant Magic: Creating a Lush, Pollinator-Friendly Landscape for Next to Nothing on Tuesday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m. Delve into the vibrant world of fall native plant gardening and unlock the secrets to a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem right in your backyard (or even on your apartment balcony)! Discover why late fall is the golden window for planting native species. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a curious newcomer, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to create a haven for native pollinators and wildlife in your garden. For more information about these programs, please call the library at 231-928-3480 or visit www.fremontlibrary.net |
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