Upcoming Event - Wildflower Association of Michigan Annual Conference (Sunday 04 March and Monday 05 March 2018)

On Sunday March 4th and Monday March 5th I will be attending the Wildflower Association of Michigan (WAM) annual conference.  This year's conference theme is Growing in a Post-Wild World.  This conference is held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center (219 S. Harrison St., East Lansing, MI).  Early-bird registration for the WAM conference closes in two week (February 22rd), after that you can do a walk-in registration at the conference.  Walk-in registration is $80 for Sunday or Monday and $150 for both days - Early-bird registration is $70 for one day or $125 for both days.  Membership to WAM is required to register and costs $15 for an individual.  A buffet style lunch is included in the registration cost.

Even though it is a bit pricey, this is the one conference that I make sure to attend every year.  The keynote speakers are usually great and I learn a lot at the concurrent sessions.  It's a great place to pick peoples' brains if you have any questions about wildflowers and wildflower gardening - I make new connections and renew old connections every year.  There is also a room for vendors (books, jewelry, photography, pottery, art prints, etc.) - I always end up spending more than I should on wildflower and gardening books.


While planting native plants seems to be a new(er) movement in gardening, it has had its advocates for years as this article from the April 1941 issue of Nature Magazine shows.  Nature Magazine was published between 1923 and 1959 by the American Nature Association before being absorbed by Natural History.