AFFEW Friends for the Environment
Promote public awareness, host balanced discussions and develop solutions helping to generate the existence of a healthy environment.
Learn more about the iconic endangered Piping Plover bird and the changing weather patterns that have caused water level issues in our state Ludington State Park with Park Interpreter Alan Wernette.
Registration required! Maximum 25 per hike. Masks and proper social distancing is mandatory!
Learn more about the Ludington State Park with Park Interpreter Alan Wernette. This hike will focus on plant diseases, invasive pests and deer herd issues.
Registration required! Maximum 25 per hike. Masks and proper social distancing is mandatory!
Learn about unique plants, trees, animals and birds close to town with local author and botanist Dave Dister! He’ll point out the variety of species found in the wetland, open field and hiking trails found behind Ludington United Methodist Church. In January 2020 Dave self-published “The Birds of Mason County, Michigan.” He’ll have copies of his book available for sale the day of the hike.
Registration required! Maximum 10 per hike. Masks and proper social distancing is mandatory!
Learn about unique plants, trees, animals and birds close to town with local author and botanist Dave Dister! He’ll point out the variety of species found in the wetland, open field and hiking trails found behind Ludington United Methodist Church. In January 2020 Dave self-published “The Birds of Mason County, Michigan.” He’ll have copies of his book available for sale the day of the hike.
Registration required! Maximum 10 per hike. Masks and proper social distancing is mandatory!
Go for a Walk…Learn more about a local park environment…Celebrate Earth Day – all at the same time!
Participants will at their leisure walk about 1.40 miles following numbered 
signs placed along the Cartier Park pathway. The signs provide answers to specific questions that will increase your awareness and appreciation for Cartier Park, increase your understanding of Earth Day and offer suggestions on individual efforts we can all take to protect our local environment.
Among many other state-native creatures Nature Discovery, in Williamston, MI, is home to 
the state’s largest educational zoo of Michigan native reptiles and amphibians. Via Zoom and using live specimens, Jim & Carol McGrath will discuss a wide range of common and uncommon frogs, salamanders, turtles and snakes found here, with an emphasis on “herps” found around the Ludington area.
Sign-up for this presentation!
AFFEW has been working diligently to bring several safe community events to celebrate Earth Day 2021! We’ll begin with a five week Zoom presentation series starting April 6 that includes a wide range of topics. We’ll also have a fun presentation on Michigan native reptiles and amphibians, perfect for families! In addition we’ll offer some guided hikes locally and a self guided informational quiz walk at Cartier Park.
Watch ALL past presentations on our YouTube Channel!
Tuesday, April 20 | 7-8 pm with discussion to follow
Solar 101
Speaker: Greg Oliver
Agathon Solar
Do you have an interest in exploring the possibility of having solar panels installed at your home? Well then this is the right session for you! Greg Oliver will discuss the benefits of solar and options for homeowners. He’ll also outline the different types of installations, explain Net Metering and the many incentives currently available.
About the Speaker
Greg Oliver is a graduate of Thornwell Presbyterian Divinity College. He has experience in construction, project management, and the use of a myriad of computer platforms and systems. He has been in the solar industry for five years in a variety of roles. Greg is married with three children and loves to serve in a local non-profit.
Sign up for the Solar 101 presentation!
Tuesday, April 27 | 7-8 pm with discussion to follow
Mr. Natural’s Organic Gardening for the Homeowner
Speaker: Alan Haslam
This session will focus on organic gardening and the benefits of composting. Learn how to turn everyday food scraps (non-meat) into a rich soil for your garden. Introducing this “black gold” into your soil will help produce higher yields for your gardening season. Composting is an economical way to enrich your soil while reducing the amount of kitchen waste in landfills. A win-win for you and our planet!
About the Speaker
Alan Haslam has been gardening since preschool, thanks to his grandparents, avid gardeners themselves! Grandma and Grandpa Haslam believed in organic methods and lots of compost.
Alan also learned how to properly trim fruit and other trees from his grandpa. He became a
Certified Master Gardener and developed a veggie garden at the Senior Center in Hillsdale. He even had this garden plowed by draft horses and mules! Alan relocated to Ludington in 2013 and worked for Julia Chambers’ landscaping business. He took over some of Julia’s clients after she retired. He called the business Mr. NaturAl’s Gardens LLC, truly promoting natural and organic methods. Alan retired in 2020 and now focuses on expanding his micro farm backyard.
Sign up for the Organic Gardening presentation!
Tuesday, May 4 | 7-8 pm with discussion to follow
Benefits of Native Plant Gardening
Speaker: Garrett Noyes
Birdsfoot Native Nursery
Join us for an informative presentation on the benefits of adding native plants to your 
landscape. These amazing plants have adapted over centuries, making them easier to grow and beneficial for the birds, animals and other critters in your yard. They are better suited to handle extreme temperatures, diseases and pests in their local environment. They also adapt well to a variety of soil conditions with limited water. The best part, these beautiful plants continue to add to your landscape over time!
About the Speaker
Garrett Noyes is the co-owner of Birdsfoot Native Nursery located north of Traverse City. They grow Michigan native wildflowers, grasses, sedges and shrubs for landscape professionals, retail nurseries and habitat restoration efforts in the northern part of the state. They are also committed to applying organic practices to their operation. AFFEW partners with Birdsfoot Native Nursery for our annual Native Plant Sale on the second Saturday in June.
Sign up for the Native Gardening presentation!
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.
Help support AFFEW while having fun playing Mini Golf! The Jaycees will donate 30% of all proceeds to AFFEW. This will help cover costs of the many things we support including the new cigarette recycling container installed at the mini golf course this summer.
Due to our concerns for the safety of the public and volunteers during Covid-19, AFFEW’s board of directors have cancelled the April 18 Earth Day Celebration.
Instead we have listed below several resources from organizations that will host virtual events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. We can still make a difference as we stay home and be safe!
Helpful websites to visit during this time:
Movies:
Webinars & Podcasts:
Kids Websites & Podcasts:
10 Things YOU can do to make a difference in your home today and every day!