April 4, 2025

April is Vernal Pools Month in Newaygo County!

“Vernal Pools are like our Coral Reefs of the Forest,” states Katie, Vice Chair and Program Manager of the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC). “They are small, important wetlands that appear in spring and dry up during the fall.  They are ideal breeding grounds for a variety of amphibians and invertebrates that would be vulnerable to lake or stream fish; the fairy shrimp, wood frogs, spotted and blue-spotted salamanders can only breed in Vernal pools. They even travel back to their birth Vernal pool to spawn.”

Sally Wagoner News and Blog 1 2 min read
April 28, 2024

Our Earth Historians Return: the 17-Year Cicadas

I was four years old when I first met the 17-year-old Cicadas emerging generation in northeast Illinois. We lived in the woods, and that late spring and early summer, the cicadas were all over them—chaotic, cacophonic, mesmerizing! Their gossamer wings and beady red eyes were a somewhat scary fascination, and I loved them. I carried them in my pockets and cared for them in leafed shoeboxes, only to have them delightfully let loose in the house.

I missed their return at ages 21 and 38, living elsewhere. At age 55, I was back at the place of my birth in the Oaks to help care for my mother. While living there again, I was honored and awed to reconnect with the great-great-great grandchildren of that tribal community I met when I was just four years old.

Sally Wagoner News and Blog 0 7 min read
April 1, 2024

Earth Day, Earth Month, Earth Always… www.earthday.org

In March of 1971, I was arrested with 11 other young folks who tried to save the last stand of trees on the campus of Northern Illinois University. We were supported by many, including the Executive Editor of the Chicago Tribune who offered to pay for our legal fees. We were released on our own recognizance, the charges were dropped…….and the trees came down for a new biology building.

That April I attended my first Earth Day event, one year after its inception.

Sally Wagoner News and Blog 0 5 min read
February 26, 2024

1st Newaygo County Area Prescribed Burn Training

Back to Posts Collection Donate NCEC will co-host the first Prescribed Burn Training for the Newaygo County Region on Saturday, March 9th, 2024. Stuart Goldman, Conservation Coordinator of the Michigan Nature Association for Lower Western Michigan, will lead the program from 10am – 3pm at Brooks Township Hall, 490 Quarterline St, Newaygo, 49337.   A second training will be held…

Sally Wagoner News and Blog 0 3 min read
October 5, 2023

October 28: Green Burial – An Environmentally Sustainable Burial Choice Event

Join NCEC as we host West Michigan Burial on Saturday, October 28 at The Heritage Museum of Newaygo County at 2:00 p.m. at the conclusion of the 2nd annual Newaygo Scarecrow Stroll.

“Green Burial” is a way of caring for the dead that has minimal impact on the environment. It avoids the use of toxic embalming, caskets and vaults. It does not produce the large footprint of carbon emission as found during the process of cremation. Green Burial allows the body to decompose in a natural way using biodegradable materials.

Sally Wagoner News and Blog 0 9 min read
August 1, 2023

Healthy Habitats Spotlight Event: Native Plant Enthusiasts “Meet & Greet”

You too can be part of the “Homegrown National Park” Movement!
Native plant gardeners, preservationists and other native plant “nerds” are invited to come together on Thursday, August 31 for a first-time networking event. The informal gathering will be held at Waters Edge Golf Course, 1100 Ramshorn Drive, Fremont, MI 49412. Come at 5:30 and enjoy appetizers, dinner or drinks on your own while sharing interests, information and resources with others.
The gathering is hosted by Big Bluestem Farm and the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition. Experienced native plant gardeners and large area installers, as well as insect pollinator experts, will be on hand to share, and to answer questions you may have.

Sally Wagoner News and Blog 0 3 min read

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