“Creating a Greener Michigan”
Michigan State University Extension held the Master Gardener Conference, August 23-24 at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Open to all gardening enthusiasts, not only Master Gardeners, the Master Gardener Conference focused on “Creating a Greener Michigan.” Keynote speakers addressed topics of climate change, creating urban and suburban meadows, and making gardens essential life centers. Sessions ranged from understanding the impact of climate change on insect populations and forests to growing native plants and pollinator protection to seed saving and composting. The goal was to provide gardeners with the tools and knowledge to use sustainable practices in their own lives and gardens.
Our first keynote speaker was Chris Edwards, whose presentation was titled “Simple, Serious, Solvable-Climate Change as of 2024.” As an award-winning weather forecaster with a long career, Chris has been involved in studying and reporting specifically on global warming since 1987. He is currently the climate change specialist for the city of Detroit and gives climate change presentations in many venues. He explained the impacts of climate change and explore a range of ideas to address the significant challenges we face and what each of us can do.
The second keynote was the Best-selling author and garden designer Benjamin Vogt, on the topic “Unlawn America- An Introduction to Creating Urban and Suburban Meadows.” Benjamin has pledged to reduce his carbon footprint by traveling less, so he will join us virtually, where he will present and answer questions. His presentation discussed the potential for urban natural habitats to positively impact the environment. He explored how to turn your lawn into a meadow garden by showing how to select plants, prepare the site for planting, and install and manage your meadow.
Our third keynote speaker was Dr. David Michener, and his presentation was called “All our Kin—Reframing our Respect for Gardens, Living Collections, and Landscapes to Become Essential Life Centers.” Dr. Michener will discuss his work to reframe native plants and communities in a way to build awareness of and increase engagement in Tribal sovereignty and sustainability. He is a curator at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, and in the fall of 2023, became the Midwest co-leader (alongside Jennifer Gauthier of the College of the Menominee Nation) of a $30,000,000 research grant with the International Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science based at University of Massachusetts.
In-between these keynote speakers were many options for further learning, including breakout sessions, workshops, and tours. For a full list of these options, please visit the schedule tab. Interlochen Center for the Arts provided a stunning backdrop for our conference but will contribute to our sustainability education. Tours of their gardens, botanical lab, apiary and compost facility showcased sustainable practices participants can bring home to their own gardens and home.
In addition to the classes, workshops and tours on site at Interlochen, many tours were arranged for conference attendees before and after the conference. On the Thursday before the conference, participants could choose between a Lunch and Learn at Pine Hill Nursery, a tour of the Otsego Conservation District Demo Gardens, a tour of a Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy preserve, or a cooking class at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Sunday’s options included the Lavender Hill Farm tour, a tour of the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, or a tour of the MSU Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center to learn about cherry and apple research being done by MSU. Learn more about these activities on the website: https://www.canr.msu.edu/master_gardener_volunteer_program/master_gardener_conference/pre-and-post-events
The MSU Extension Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program, led by MSU Extension.
Print
Email