MSU Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers teach Michigan residents about environmentally sound horticultural practices including proper use of fertilizers and pesticides, water conservation, identification and management of invasive pests and plants, the benefits of native plants, and gardening for pollinators.
The resources below can be used by MSU EMGs to share information with the public to learn more about becoming better environmental stewards. Many of the categories overlap with each other— for example, if you’re working on shoreline restoration, you may also want to review the resources for native and invasive species.
Some of these resources are handouts, while others are websites or videos that you can easily share with clients. Full color tip sheets can be obtained through your local educators. Other resources here are learning opportunities you can pass along to the public, such as the MSU Conservation Stewards program and Introduction to Lakes Online.
Raingardens
- Smart Shorelands: Soak up the Rain with a Smart Rain Garden
- The Rain Garden: An informative guide - Brochure developed by MSU Extension and MSU Tollgate Gardens
Native plants
- Smart Gardening: Using Native Plants is a Smart Choice for Michigan Landscapes
- Smart Gardening: Trees and Shrubs Suitable for Michigan Landscapes
- Smart Gardening: Identifying the Oaks of Michigan
- Smart Tree Tip Sheets
Invasive species
Protecting water
Smart Gardening tip sheets:
- Fertilizer basics for the smart gardener
- Smart Gardening: Don't Guess- Soil Test!
- Smart Shorelands: Keep it Clean to Protect Frogs and Toads
- Smart fertilizer use: A vegetable garden begins with a soil management plan
- Smart Soils: What You Can Do to Reduce Phosphorus
What can you do to be Phosphorus Smart?
Conserving water
Shoreline restoration
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