AFFEW Friends for the Environment

Join us for an informative evening learning about Michigan mushrooms. Linda Scribner will use photographs in her PowerPoint program and numerous fresh and dried fungi specimens to educate everyone about forest mushrooms. She will share information about the biology and the key features of mushrooms and what to look for when identifying different species. Linda is a Certified Wild Mushroom Expert, licensed to commercially harvest and sell wild mushrooms in Michigan. Her presentation includes the identification of the 20 species of mushrooms that the State of Michigan has deemed safe to eat in its Food Safety Program.

Consider becoming a member of AFFEW and Sable Dunes Audubon Society for only $20/year.

Join AFFEW to clean the beach and dunes west of the playground as a part of International Coastal Cleanup. Meet at the south concession stand, gloves and garbage bags will be provided. We’ll be inventorying everything collected and turning the data into the Alliance for for the Great Lakes. After were done, stick around to socialize, BYO, no glass!

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plants species at Cartier Park. A discussion to help identify these plants will take place. Meet at the dog park by at the end of Rath Ave. Bring water, gloves and wear long pants, long sleeved shirt and closed toed shoes. Event will be held in fair weather, and sometimes wraps up early, depending on site conditions.

Cheryl Kallio, from Freshwater Future will show The Devil We Know movie about  PFAS and then answer questions. She will bring some pfas well testing kits and also explain how to buy one.  Find out more information about PFAS on the Freshwater Future’s website.

Cheryl Kallio is Associate Director for Freshwater Future and is a lead for the organization’s policy work, administers the Great Lakes Healing Our Waters implementation grant making program, and provides consulting to environmental groups on how to strategically work their advocacy issues. Previous to her work with Freshwater Future Cheryl was the Water Conservation Manager for the Alliance for the Great Lakes and served as an adviser to the eight Great Lakes governors and premiers of Ontario and Quebec in the development of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and Agreement. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University.

Below are links to the movie trailer and the test kits:

PFAS Test and Response Kit

AFFEW meets monthly to discuss current environmental issues, community involvement and upcoming events for the Mason County area. All meetings are open to the public.

AFFEW is pleased to have Sarah Pregitzer with the Newaygo Invasive Plant Project present on native garden transformation.

Many stewards long to transform their personal landscapes with pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and meadow areas to replace traditional landscapes. Most can’t afford to hire a professional . In this hands-on workshop, we will explore methods of propagating and planting natives that are cheap, easy and highly successful . We will learn about native seed collection and storage, site preparation, winter sowing and making seedballs. All of these techniques can be adapted to schools or church groups that want to make a difference on their own land .

Participants will receive information and materials to begin their own native garden transformation. Registration deadline is October 4! Maximum number of participants is 24. Please fill out the form below and bring payment the day of the event.

Consider becoming a member of AFFEW and receive a discount on this program and support future events and causes.

Native Plant Restoration Registration