Category: Event-Details

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AFFEW Annual Meeting & Sustainability Awards

Join AFFEW for the annual meeting on November 7 at Jamesport Brewing Company, Reds Room.

This year there are three board positions up for re-election. Learn about the AFFEW board and getting more involved.  

AFFEW Sustainability Awards

Each year at our Annual Meeting, AFFEW honors local leaders who are exceptional in the environmental field and have made a difference in the community. The board of directors takes pride in recognizing these individuals and businesses for sustainable practices, environmental leadership and hours of volunteering. Learn more about past award recipients.

Do you have someone in mind for an AFFEW Sustainability Award? Nominees should be residents within Mason County and forms must be received by October 9, 2023. Fill out the form below to nominate someone from our community.  

Sustainability Awards Nomination Form

Annual Meeting Agenda

At the meeting we’ll provide updates on the many amazing programs AFFEW has hosted in 2023. Come celebrate with us! 
  • 6-6:30 pm: Social Time         
  • 6:30-7 pm: Eat and drink, Free yummy appetizers, dinner and drinks for purchase
  • 7-8 pm: Annual meeting-Committee reports, elections, and environmental awards
Please RSVP by email to makeadifference@affew.org if you plan on attending with your name and how many will be in your party. Members and friends welcome!
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Invasive Species Program

April 25 – September 26 | Second Tuesday | 10 am-Noon   *   Fourth Tuesday | 6 pm – 8 pm

Help treat and remove a variety of invasive plant species at Cartier Park. A discussion to identify these plants will take place before we begin. AFFEW partners with the City of Ludington, Mason-Lake Conservation District and North Country CISMA to eradicate these aggressive plants. Below is more information on some of the challenging invasive plants at Cartier Park.

Check the schedule on our Events and Activities page for dates we’ll be meeting. Meet at the Ludington Central Bark Park 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. Please note: both September events will be at 10 am.  To receive a reminder email about upcoming events and cancellations due to weather, email Sara Bolan at sarab@affew.org.

Japanese barberry

Unfortunately some of these invasive species can still be bought at nurseries and big box stores. When considering plants for your property choose native species over invasive.  Once an invasive plant escapes into a natural area it can cause significant issues for native plants and wildlife. This includes altering soil chemistry in a way that gives future generations of invasive plants a competitive advantage. 

Learn more about invasive species and how to report them on North Country CISMA‘s website. View their High Priority Species  page for more information on identify invasive plant species in Michigan.

Invasive Plant Species Identification

Native Species Alternatives

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Report Invasive Species
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Welcome to U Dig It Community Garden!

The U Dig It Community Garden is a membership based organic garden that was established in 2010. We’re located behind the United Methodist Church of Ludington. Garden boxes are provided for personal use in a organic and sustainable environment. We depend on our members to volunteer by maintaining the garden boxes, grounds and equipment. Our journey with AFFEW began in January 2022 when our organizations merged!

In the fall of 2021 we began our expansion of the garden. By the spring of 2022 a dozen additional block beds were installed with the generous support of SRM Concrete  through their Giving Back program. We also received support from Lowe’s of Ludington and T & M Landscaping and Tree Removal as an in-kind sponsor who provided equipment and labor to complete the project. After a busy spring and with the help of our volunteers, UDICG now has 61 beds!

In addition to personal boxes, we work directly with our local food pantry Lakeshore Food Club. We provide healthy produce in support of food security for our community. In 2022 our members and Grow a Box Gardeners donated twenty-five percent of the produce to Lakeshore Food Club!

In 2022 with the help of Michigan State University Extension, we introduced the U Dig It! Gardening Series. This educational series is for our members and the community. In Photo by Ron Sullivanaddition we’ll host the Dig It! Youth Summer Series for 7-11 year olds. This is an interactive program run by AFFEW and MSU that grows, tastes and donates produce to our community. They also learn and experience a variety of aspects about nature, birds and our environment.

Garden Bed Availability
Existing members are given the opportunity to retain their beds before it is opened up to the public. We are currently full, but if you’re interested in being placed on the list for next years consideration, contact Sara Bolan, UDICG Director.

Our Mission
To educate its members and the general public in healthy eating by promoting sustainable practices through organic farming, composting and environmental education for children and adults. Through volunteerism and donations from our gardeners, twenty-five percent of the produce is provided to support food security for our community.

When should I start my seeds?
It’s always a challenge to decide when it’s the right time to start seeds. Here’s a handy seed starting calculator that helps take the mystery out of when to plant! Download the Spring Seed Starting Calendar for Ludington.

Help support AFFEW and UDICG by becoming a member or making a tax deductible donation!

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Enjoying a Plant-Based Diet

One of the most powerful steps you can take to improve your health, boost energy levels and reduce your impact on our environment, is to move to a plant-based diet. Many scientists praise the health benefits of transitioning towards a plant-based diet over meat and processed foods. Moving in this direction can help achieve better health and easier weight management while enjoying a variety of delicious meals. And living in Michigan, many resources for locally grown vegetables and fruits are available right here in our community.

The best part, you don’t have to completely change your diet to make a difference. Start off by making adjustments to some of your favorite recipes. Try adding rice, beans or other hearty vegetables in place of meat in a soup or casserole recipe. Substituting plant-based milk alternative in your recipes and for daily use is just one small way you can have an affect. As you become more accustomed to these changes, you’ll find plant-based meals can be just as delicious, healthier and have less impact on our planet.

View the presentation by Dr. Bob Breakey on Plant-Based Health from AFFEW’s November 12, 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting.

Dr. Bob Breakey’s Eight Keys to Health and Success

Eat for Health | Choose abundant vegetables, whole grains, fruits and all types of beans, along with some nuts and seeds (including 2 TBSP of ground flax seeds) daily. Minimize, and ideally eliminate, animal foods – meat, dairy and eggs — and minimize refined sugar, oils and other processed foods. Fill your pantry with health supporting foods and make a conscious choice to eat when you are hungry and to choose foods with both great taste and great nutritional value.

Drink Water | Water is our natural beverage and thirst quencher and makes up about 70% of our bodies. Beverages with caffeine, alcohol, sugar, fat and/or a host of artificial ingredients slow you down, interfere with sleep cycles, increase the risk for obesity and should be enjoyed only on occasion.

Avoid Cow’s Milk | Cow’s milk and its associated foods: Cheese, yogurt and ice cream, are derived from “nature’s perfect food for baby cows” and are a totally unnatural component of human nutrition. No other mammal drinks milk after infancy, and most of the world’s human population has “lactose intolerance” meaning they get diarrhea and bloating right away if they drink milk. Cow’s milk is more than half fat, high in saturated fat and cholesterol and most of the rest (70%) is sugar. Milk proteins contribute to allergy, autoimmune disease, chronic kidney disease, mucus production, acne, osteoporosis and the promotion of breast, colon and prostate cancers. Cow’s milk always contains bovine estrogen and is nearly always contaminated with antibiotics, growth stimulants, bovine leukemia virus, pus cells and environmental toxins. Many other non-dairy alternatives are now readily available (i.e. soy, rice, coconut, cashew, flax or almond “milks”, cheeses, yogurts and ice creams). Calcium needs are easily obtained by eating “beans and greens”.

Eat Fiber | Health supporting whole foods contain dietary fiber. Avoid white bread, white rice and white pasta that are just metabolized quickly to sugar once they hit your digestive system. Whole grains like oats, brown rice, and whole grain breads, pastas and cereals are much more slowly digested providing consistent energy for your cells and abundant additional nutrients. They also support healthy bowel bacteria that help with hormone balance, detoxification of several toxins, overall colon health and immune function. Eat a broad variety of whole plant foods for the greatest effect and lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease and several cancers. Think “fiber in every bite” with plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains while avoiding animal and processed foods that are devoid of fiber.

Be Active | Walk, run, dance, swim, jump, cycle, skate, ski, lift or whatever else gets you moving. Play and make it fun! Make daily physical activity a regular part of your routine and aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (think an average of 30 minutes 5 days/ week). Choose activities you enjoy that help you stay with your plan. Use stairs instead of elevators, park further away when you drive, and whenever you get the chance, “take the scenic route” under your own power.

Your Environment Matters | Avoid poisons and contaminants in your body by not smoking anything. Also, avoid even second or third hand smoke or tobacco exposure of any kind. Avoid other “recreational drugs”—they are a “dead end”. Choose foods low on the food chain and eat organic when practical. Use a good solid carbon water filter for clean drinking water and limit the use of pesticides and other toxins in your home environment.

Sleep Well | Plan time for 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night and develop good sleep hygiene habits: Develop a “wind down routine” an hour before bedtime with relaxing activities (no TV or Internet), a regular rising time each day, avoid caffeine, nicotine & alcohol, use your bed for sleeping only, limit naps and control your sleeping environment. With a good restful night’s sleep, you will enjoy more energy, improved concentration and better overall health.

Make Time to Relax & Play! | Stress is a part of life, but you can manage and harness it for the good by finding balance, prioritizing your responsibilities, setting and writing down challenging but attainable goals and making time for whatever form of adventurous play and/or peaceful relaxation that will help you to optimize your enjoyment. Make time for laughter, love and being with friends, family and others who share these same goals!

Download more Lifestyle Medicine Resources from Dr. Bob Breakey on Plant Based Health.

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Below are links to a variety of plant-based recipes and more information on this healthy lifestyle.

Websites

Books

  • How Not to Die | Michael Greger, MD
  • How Not to Diet | Michael Greger, MD
  • How to Survive a Pandemic | Michael Greger, MD 
  • Reversing Diabetes | Neal Barnard, MD
  • Forks Over Knives Plan | Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman
  • Eat to Live | Joel Fuhrman, MD
  • The Pleasure Trap | Douglas Lisle, PhD
  • The Cheese Trap | Neal Barnard, MD
  • The Whole Heart Solution | Joel Kahan, MD
  • Whole | T. Colin Campbell, PhD
  • Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease | Caldwell Esselstyn, MD
  • The Starch Solution | John McDougall, MD
  • Empty Medicine Cabinet | Dustin Rudolph, PharmD
  • Proteinaholic | Garth Davis, MD
  • The End of Diabetes | Joel Fuhrman, MD
  • Fiber Fueled | Will Bulsiewicz, MD
  • Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life | Barbara, Kingsolver

Apps

  • Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen
  • 21 Day Vegan Kick start from PCRM

Social Media (Facebook)

Documentaries

Support Groups

Do you have a link to a favorite plant-based recipe or website you’d like to share? Fill out the form below and we’ll post it after review.




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    Microplastics in the Great Lakes

    Below is a rebroadcast of a video presentation given last year by Art Hirsch on microplastics in the Great Lakes.

    Microplastics in the Great Lakes 

    Art Hirsch will discuss the sources, impacts, legislation and mitigation actions to address microplastics. Microplastics in the Great Lakes is an emerging water quality issue that has the potential of impacting human health and the aquatic environment. It has been estimated that microplastics are consumed by the US population at a rate of 5 grams per week; this is weight of a credit card. Microplastics are found in our food, water and even beer along the Great Lakes. Fish are ingesting microplastics that causes them to starve. Over 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes every year and Lake Michigan is the #1 source.

    Art Hirsch is a former environmental consultant with over 30 years of experience. He lives in Boulder Colorado and spends his summers in Pentwater, Michigan. He is originally from North Muskegon, Michigan and he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado. His expertise is in the areas of water quality, stormwater management, sustainability and environmental impact assessments. He is a member of the Climate Reality Project founded by former Vice President Gore and the For the Love of Water organization located in Traverse City and the Great Lakes Plastic Pollution Solutions Coalition. He is currently working on the Enbridge Line 5 Shutdown, GHG reductions associated with transportation, oil and gas operations and microplastics.

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    Native Plant Sale 2021

    Saturday, June 11 | Time 930am-1230pm

    Rotary Park, Ludington

    Help protect our species by gardening with native plants! AFFEW will again offer a variety of native plants for sale. These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for insects, birds and animals. Native plants also require minimal maintenance and their deep root system absorb more water than a traditional lawn. With the continuous decline of the Monarch butterfly population you can make a difference by creating a habitat for these beautiful and important butterflies!

    Last year our sale introduced nearly 1600 new native plants to our community! AFFEW will again partner with Birdsfoot Native Nursery to bring these amazing plants to YOU!

    There will be a LARGE selection of individual quarts and gallon plants available the day of the sale and a representative from Birdsfoot Native Nursery will be there to answer any questions. Preview a list of plants that may be available the day of the sale. This list is neither complete nor guaranteed, but is a great way to see approximately what we will have to offer.

    Having problems with deer eating your plants? View the list of deer resistant native plants from the Lansing chapter of Wild Ones. We’ll have several of these plants available the day of the sale.

    Preorders for garden and single species flats of grasses and sedges are going on now as supplies last! Sample designs are below. AFFEW MEMBERS who preorder Garden or Single Species Flats of Grasses and Sedges will receive a 15% Discount on their preorder and purchases made before 10am the day of the sale!

    Each Garden Flat comes with 38 organic plugs and a design plan with a mixture of plants. They include instructions and layout for a 4’x10’ garden. These one year plants are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. They typically do not bloom or reach full maturity until the second year.

    Deadline for preorders is May 23!

     Garden Flats | $70

    Butterfly GardenPollinator GardenRain Garden
    Wildflower GardenLow Growing GardenShoreline Flat Garden
    NEW * Semi-Shade Garden
    PLEASE NOTE: Plant substitution may take place due to availability for Garden Flats.

    Single Species Flats | Grasses: $56 | Sedges: $70

    Single species flats of grasses and sledges are also available and comes with 38 plugs.

    SSPL Revised 5/1/2021

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    Preorder Flats

    The deadline for preorders is May 23!

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    Virtual Annual Meeting & Presentation

    The AFFEW board held its annual meeting via zoom on November 11. Julia Chambers, AFFEW President gave the annual report and board elections were held. Julia Chambers, Cathy Horowski, and Dave Masten are were re-elected for a two year term. Chuck Klopinski was thanked for his year’s as treasurer and Marie Quillan was welcomed as the new treasurer for AFFEW.

    Thank you also to Art Hirsch who shared his presentation and knowledge on microplastics. The recorded presentation is below.

    Microplastics in the Great Lakes 

    Art Hirsch will discuss the sources, impacts, legislation and mitigation actions to address microplastics. Microplastics in the Great Lakes is an emerging water quality issue that has the potential of impacting human health and the aquatic environment. It has been estimated that microplastics are consumed by the US population at a rate of 5 grams per week; this is weight of a credit card. Microplastics are found in our food, water and even beer along the Great Lakes. Fish are ingesting microplastics that causes them to starve. Over 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes every year and Lake Michigan is the #1 source.

    Art Hirsch is a former environmental consultant with over 30 years of experience. He lives in Boulder Colorado and spends his summers in Pentwater, Michigan. He is originally from North Muskegon, Michigan and he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado. His expertise is in the areas of water quality, stormwater management, sustainability and environmental impact assessments. He is a member of the Climate Reality Project founded by former Vice President Gore and the For the Love of Water organization located in Traverse City and the Great Lakes Plastic Pollution Solutions Coalition. He is currently working on the Enbridge Line 5 Shutdown, GHG reductions associated with transportation, oil and gas operations and microplastics.

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    Native Plant Sale

    AFFEW’s Native Plant Sale accepts orders starting in late January through April!

    Help protect our species by gardening with native plants! These important plant species provide nectar, pollen, and seeds and are hosts for for many insects, birds and animals. Native plants also require minimal maintenance and their deep root system absorb more water than a traditional lawn. With the continuous decline of the Monarch butterfly population you can make a difference by creating a habitat for these beautiful and important butterflies!

    Since its inception, AFFEW’s Native Plant Sale has helped introduced thousands of native plants to our community! Orders are accepted January-April and picked up on the second Saturday in June. Our online sale has a LARGE selection of garden/single species flats plus individual quart wildflowers/grasses  and gallon shrubs available for you to make a habitat for these beneficial insects.

    Having problems with deer eating your plants? View the list of Deer resistant native plants from the Lansing chapter of Wild Ones. We’ll have several of these plants available the day of the sale.

    Interested in getting notifications about the sale? Email Sara Bolan or call 815-592-9032.

     

     

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    Help Clean the Beach!

    Each summer AFFEW and our committed volunteers clean the south section of the beach by the breakwater at Stearns Park. This area gets a ton of activity throughout the summer especially during the Fourth of July Freedom Festival. We meet, weather permitting, on the 3rd Wednesday June thru August at 7 pm. We also participate in the International Beach Cleanup on the 3rd Saturday in September at 10 am. Bring a bucket and gloves. We’ll have supplies available if you don’t have your own. Stick around afterwards for green drinks (BYO/no glass) and lively conversation!

    Help support AFFEW by becoming a member or making a tax deductible donation!

    Join AFFEW!
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