Monroe County Master Gardener Association

bE-Informed
Monroe Conservation District
February 2016

Monroe Conservation District is hosting a Workshop on Tree Care
Join us on Saturday, March 5th at Calder Dairy Farm 9334 Finzel Road, Carleton from 9:30 am until noon. The topics to be discussed will include: species and site selection, caring for and planting seedlings and transplants, proper trimming techniques, disease identification and treatment. Light refreshments will be served. This workshop is free, although we ask that you register as seating is limited. You may do so by email or by phone at 734.241.7755 Ext. 5
If you haven’t gotten your tree order in, we will be happy to accept them at the workshop.

Western Lake Erie Cluster Workshops
Frog and Toad Listen
Saturday, April 2, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Crosswinds Marsh, New Boston. Free event.

Local Beach Clean UP
Volunteers needed Saturday, April 30, 9:00 am until noon
Sterling Sate Park and Bolles Harbor Boat Launch

Harmful Algae Blooms Public Forum Reminder

Thursday, March 10, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
An information forum to discuss Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), the human health risks of HAB toxins, the ecological impact on the Western Lake Erie Basin, and the attempt this region is making to reduce the impact of annual algal blooms. Each panel member will present information on a sub-topic and a Q&A session will conclude the forum.
Panel Members – Ben Lehr: Monroe Conservation District, Jerry Heck: Local conservation farmer, Dr. Laura Johnson: Heidelberg University, Monroe County Health Department Environmental Health Office, Sonia Joshi: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Ecosystems research, and Kevin Czajkowski: University of Toledo.

Public parking available at the Monroe Courthouse as well as in lots on Macomb Street and Washington Street. The Event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but greatly appreciated. To RSVP, contact Catherine Acerboni by replying to this email, 734.241.7755 extension 5 or email Brittany Santure, Western Lake Erie Cluster coordinator, at bsanture@rriearth.org.

Free MOVIE
Farmland: The Evolution of a Tradition
Monday, March 14, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Monroe County Community College, Administrative building Rm 173
1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe

And

Thursday, March 17, 7:00 pm
Monroe County Historical Museum
126 Monroe Street, Monroe
Please register with Monroe County Farm Bureau at 734.269.3275, for either showing as seating is limited.

Article: This Is Your Brain on Nature
I found this of interest, I hope you do to.

Below are some great quotes from a recent National Geographic Article. The entire article is available here and also worth a read: This Is Your Brain on Nature.

“When we get closer to nature—be it untouched wilderness or a backyard tree—we do our overstressed brains a favor.”

“Nature nurtures us. It boosts our mood too. According to the attention restoration theory, spending time in nature relieves the stress and mental fatigue caused by the “directed attention” that work and city life require.”

“Imagine a therapy that had no known side effects, was readily available, and could improve your cognitive functioning at zero cost,” the researchers wrote in their paper. It exists, they continued, and it’s called “interacting with nature.”