December 2009 Seed Planting at Cedar Swamp

Twenty hearty souls including three children this year braved the cold December temperatures to take part in this year's seed planting. After a season of gathering seeds from various sources in Steuben County, we mixed the seeds and distributed them as would have been done in times past. It will once again be an amazing process of watching the change from year to year as the seeds take hold. As seen in our photos attached, you are never too young or too old to feel the nearness of God and nature.

2010 Stewardship Network Conference, “The Science, Practice and Art of Restoring Native Ecosystems”

The Stewardship Network and the Midwest Invasive Plant Network are proud to join forces to host this exciting 2010 conference. Two key components of restoration work are what we are working to prevent and what we are working to protect. It's hard to see why fighting invasive plants like garlic mustard - and looking out for new ones like black swallowwort - is important until you have an appreciation for the native wildflowers threatened by invasive species. By combining our two Networks for this conference, we will be combining experts of both areas for our attendees to learn the whole picture of protecting the biodiversity of our native ecosystems.

Go to www.stewardshipnetwork.org for details of this worthwhile conference.

When:
Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2010.

Where:
Kellogg Center
East Lansing, Michigan

Let’s take a group. Who would like to go?

December Event - Plant A Prairie

Come experience the joy of building a diverse ecosystem with fellow stewards. Take part in our eighth annual plantin’ and dancin’ party as we sow the seed of our fall labor. This year we will sow precious prairie seed on a portion of the Cedar Swamp Prairie as we begin to build our first macro-site sanctuary. Dress warmly, wear your clogging boots, and bring a sturdy belt. Refreshments will be provided.

Planting site:
The Cedar Swamp Prairie

When:
Saturday, December 5 from 1 PM to 4 PM

Where to meet:
Nate and Aimee Simons
Fremont, IN
Phone (260) 316-2498

Gathering seed for 2009 planting

Seed Collection Tours

Every Saturday in October (weather permitting).

Come one, come all to one of our most popular events. Explore natural areas, old cemeteries, and old railroad tracks along the Indiana-Michigan border while helping procure local genotype seed for several prairie restoration projects.

Be prepared to walk, wear a sturdy belt, bring a traveling lunch. Carpool at the Chapel.

Where:
Presbyterian Chapel of the Lakes
2955 West Orland Rd
Angola, IN 46703
Phone (260) 316-2498

When:
Tour 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

See you there!

August 2009 VIP Tour

Nate Simons demonstrating native plants during the VIP Tour in Steuben County in August 2009.

VIP Tour Group

Tour group on VIP Day ready to go!