SEEDLING SALE Next Weekend (April 17 & 18)

The Seedling Sale is almost here!  It is next weekend already.  Come on out to the Nature Center for your favorite conifers, hardwoods and shrubs including Sugar Maple, White Pine, Dogwood and more for anything from a traditional wind break to reducing your carbon footprint.  In addition to helping you restore your backyard habitat, this is an important fundraiser for us.  Please come out and show your support!  Click here for species information and a price list. 

Join us at the Nature Center every day during Earth Week (April 20 - 24) for hands-on activities & recycled crafts to celebrate being 'green'!  Plant a tree, make a bird's nest, go on a scavenger hunt or learn about green cleaning.  Click here for a full April program schedule. 

 

On Earth Day (April 22), there will be a guided hike of the GT Commons Natural Area covering the history, past restoration efforts and future restoration plans starting at 4p.  The hike will wrap up in time for folks to walk over to Stella for Green Drinks (5 - 7p) where you will be able to pick up a FREE seedling!  Click here for details & directions.

Our Education Team currently has a seasonal Education Assistant position open for the summer of 2010.  Join us to help nurture the community's connection to nature!  Education program development and teaching experience required.  Applications are due Friday, April 23.  Click here for a job description and instructions on how to apply.

Buy a Raffle Ticket: Enjoy & Benefit the Boardman

Do the higher temperatures have you dreaming of those warm summer days spent on the river kayaking and/or fishing?  We can help make those dreams a reality for a few lucky winners.  This year marks the 14th annual Boardman River Fly Rod Raffle and the 6th annual Boardman River Clean  Sweep Raffle.  Proceeds go to help us continue our work to restore the Boardman River and provide safe recreational opportunities for folks like you.  Click here for details on the Boardman River (R.W. Summers) Fly Rod Raffle.  Click here for details on the Clean Sweep Raffle.  

Our LMS team currently has a seasonal AmeriCorps position open.  If you like getting on the trails and doing some hands-on work, this position is for you.  Applications are due Friday, April 30.  Click here for a description and how to apply. 

Don't Guess, Soil Test

Taking a soil test this spring will tell you what nutrients are needed for your lawn or garden.  Soil with the proper nutrients will help make a healthy, weed-free lawn.  If you haven't soil tested and you have an established lawn, use a 0 or low phosphate fertilizer (such as a 25-0-15 or 30-3-3).  This is especially important for lake and stream (riparian) property owners where excess fertilizer can be runoff into the water.  Contact us or your local MSU Extension office or a local Agronomist (McGoughs, Hamilton Agronomy, etc.) for soil sample kits and instructions.  

Fertilizer Tips:  Measure the lawn area, decide which level of care you would like, adjust fertilizer rates and calibrate application equipment depending on the number of times you will want to fertilize for the year.  Click here for more information on how to properly plan for fertilizing your lawn.