In a promising display of community engagement, the first gathering of native plant enthusiasts took place at The Bunker of the Water’s Edge Golf Course in Fremont. Hosted by Big Bluestem Farm and the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC), the event brought together experienced native plant gardeners, large area installers, and insect pollinator experts to share knowledge and answer questions. With a diverse range of attendees, all sharing a common goal of creating native plant habitats, the gathering marked the beginning of a movement to restore the earth, one household at a time.
Planting the Seeds of Change:
The event kicked off with a round table introduction, allowing each attendee to share their experiences and aspirations for native plant gardening. The discussions were enlightening, with participants ranging from seasoned gardeners who have cultivated up to 60 native plants in their yards to newcomers seeking advice on dealing with deer eating their tender, new plantings. The passion for creating native plant environments stemmed from various motivations, including a love for birds, concerns for declining bee populations, and an appreciation for the beauty of Newaygo County’s wilderness.
The Vision of Homegrown National Park:
Katie Clark from the NCEC introduced the concept of Homegrown National Park, a grassroots movement aimed at regenerating biodiversity and ecosystem function through the planting of native plants. The goal is to convert 20 million acres of traditional grass lawns into native plant ecosystems, reversing the ecological wasteland caused by conventional lawns. Attendees were encouraged to visit homegrownnationalpark.org to learn more and get involved in this transformative initiative.
NCEC: Newaygo County’s Environmental Resource Hub
Sally Wagoner, president of NCEC, spoke about the organization’s role as a hub for environmental initiatives in Newaygo County. By providing education opportunities, resources, and volunteers, NCEC supports local environmental organizations and amplifies their reach through event promotion. Participants were invited to join NCEC and contribute to one of their four focus areas: Youth & Green Schools, 3R-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, LOBO: Love Our Beautiful Outdoors, and Healthy Habitats.
Big Bluestem Farm: Leading the Way:
Ken Hoganson, owner of Big Bluestem Farm, described his land as a 170-acre native plant preserve and nursery located in the heart of the Pere Marquette National Forest. Ken aims to educate, train, and supply native plants to households, golf courses, and governmental entities. His efforts, along with his farm managers Doug and Vicki Alcumbrack and Ellie Koon Smith, include identifying champions among lakeside property owners, collaborating with golf courses to design and install native plant gardens, and educating homeowners about effective seed collection practices and winter seed sowing.
Symon Cronk, forester and native plant installation contractor shared that Ken and he are collaborating on a large native plant installation on the lake’s edge just in front of The Bunker of The Water’s Edge Golf Course in Fremont. He begins the ground preparation and some planting yet this fall. Symon has been integral in facilitating the native plant sales in Newaygo County in his role in the Newaygo Conservation District. He continues to be very active in the Newaygo County Native Plant community through his new consulting business and volunteer activities. The participants greatly appreciated the information he shared at the gathering.
At the end of the presentations, Ken announced that Rod Kroll of Fremont Lake had been awarded the first Lake Front Native Plant Hero. Rod then shared the 3 main native plant ecosystems that he has within his yard and how he’s cultivated them over the past 20 years. Look for an article about Rod’s work in the NCEC’s September Newsletter.
Looking Ahead:
The success of the first gathering has paved the way for future events and initiatives. Attendees were informed of upcoming activities, such as the Fall Native Plant sale on September 23rd taking place at Kropscott Farms, a seed-saving and winter-sowing gathering in October, and an upcoming prescribed burn training event taking place at Big Bluestem Farm. There was also discussion about the possibility of forming a Newaygo Wild Ones Chapter, dedicated to restoring the earth one native plant and one household at a time.
The inaugural gathering of Newaygo County’s Native Plant Proponents showcased the community’s commitment to creating native plant habitats and restoring biodiversity. With the support of organizations like Big Bluestem Farm and NCEC, local residents are equipped with the knowledge, resources, and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on the environment. By embracing native plants and working together, they are sowing the seeds of a greener future for Newaygo County and beyond.
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