Native plant identification workshop registration now open

Kristine Hahn<hahnk@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Increase your outdoor fun and sharpen your plant identification skills with this informative, hands-on workshop.

For decorative purposes.
The New England Aster, a Michigan native plant. Photo via Pixabay.com.

How many times have you been walking in your favorite natural area, seen a plant and said to yourself, “I wish I knew what that was!” Now you have an opportunity to find out by participating in the Native Plant Identification Workshop hosted by Huron-Clinton Metroparks and Michigan State University Extension. These skills can be another tool to use in addition to plant identification apps and plant guides.

Knowing the names of the native plants you see can be a lot of fun and deepens your connection with and understanding of the natural world. Plant identification can be the first step to a better comprehension of Michigan natural communities and ecology. These skills have many different applications, from foraging for food and youth education, to natural resources interpretation and ecological restoration.

Register Now for the Native Plant Identification Workshop

Join Metroparks’ natural resources coordinator and botanist Julie McLaughlin to learn the basics of plant identification, and then enjoy a guided walk through Indian Springs Metropark to look for and learn the identifying characteristics of native plants of southeast Michigan. The workshop is being held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center, 5175 Indian Trail in White Lake, Michigan. The center is located 2.5 miles into Indian Springs on the left.

Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather with good walking shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Use sunscreen and bring plenty of water to drink and a portable snack. The program cost is $15 and includes the park entry fee. Advanced registration is required for this hands-on workshop at events.anr.msu.edu/NativePltID.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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