AFFEW Lists Fall Activities

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a news release of AFFEW

The Mason County based environmental group, AFFEW, announces the following fall activities. AFFEW stands for A Few Friends for the Environment of the World.

Beach Sweep August 10th and September 25th (International-counting done at this one). This volunteer activity removes litter from Lake Michigan beaches.

Storage Unit Sale August 27th-28th- like a garage sale, but no clothes! From The sale will be 8-4 p.m. Friday the 27th and 8-3 p.m. Saturday the 28th, at Larson’s Storage, South Jebavy Dr., Ludington, MI, Unit B 33

Donations can be made 5-7 p.m. on August 2, 9,16, 23, 26, and August 25th from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Or make contact for other times.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day August 21, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Volunteers are always welcome. This event is at the Mason County Road Commission on US 10 east of Scottville.

Annual Dinner-October 2 Ludington Center for the Arts, 6:30 p.m. Potluck with Annual Meeting to follow.

AFFEW’s 20th Anniversary Celebration – October 2 after the Annual Meeting. Hard to believe that AFFEW has been around 20 years! To mark this accomplishment we have booked The Famous Ragbirds! This high energy roots and world music band have strong environmental beliefs. The Center only holds 110 people so MEMBERS will have until September 15th to purchase tickets. If you are not up to date with membership you might consider doing so. After that friends of AFFEW will be able to buy them. If you want to secure a ticket for yourself and family send $15 per person to Box 177 Ludington, MI 49431 with your name, phone number, and address. The tickets will be held for you at the event. Board members will also have tickets available.

Battery Recycling is still going on. For drop off points and information see the web site.

See AFFEW
Contact Julia Chambers
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AFFEW Plans Earth Day Event for Ludington

from the AFFEW web site

AFFEW (A Few Friends for the Environment of the World) is planning an Earth Day event, April 16 and 18, in Ludington. All events will be at the new Ludington Center for the Arts building on South Harrison Street, one block from downtown.

Thursday evening, April 16, Jamie Cross will speak on Great Lakes restoration and Adopt-a-Beach program.

The bulk of the offerings are on Saturday, April 18. Speakers and activities are scheduled throughout the day, and booths from a number of organizations with interests in ecological topics will be set up for the entire time.

Speakers are:
10:30-11:30 AM Rebecca Fox - Eco Art
12:00-2:00 PM Peggy Malnati - Rain Gardens and Organic Lawn Care
2:00-3:00 PM Ray Dereske - Solar/Wind for the Home
3:00-4:00 PM Tom Karas - Michigan Green Energy Update
4:00-5:00 PM Pete DeBoer - West Michigan Nature Conservancy

AFFEW was formed in 1990 and serves Mason County through environmental education, recycling and hazardous waste collection programs, and the popular beach clean-up program.

See AFFEW
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Rain Garden? What's That?

Rebecca Fox enjoying the rain garden

by Joan H. Young
a GOTC Exclusive

We met in the rain, Rebecca Fox and I, to explore the rain garden. It seemed appropriate, and the chilly, damp day was not able to dim Rebecca's smile. Rebecca spearheaded the effort to create the garden, which was built in 2005.

The rain garden can be found at West Shore Community College, just off the northeast corner of the Arts & Science parking lot. Many people mistake it for a weed patch, and that is their loss. Like many worthwhile projects one needs to look a little more closely to appreciate what it has to offer.

As we approach autumn, the design of the garden is hidden from view. Snaking through the now-tall plants is a spiraled and branched stone walkway inviting people to wander through the garden and to look closely at the plants growing there. The "secret" paths would be especially inviting to a child.

closed gentian

When we first arrived Rebecca decisively headed up a path and exclaimed, "Look, the closed gentian is blooming! This is one of our rare plants." Indeed the deep blue bottles practically glowed in the muted light. Visit in the spring, as the plants are just beginning their growth and the design of the stones will fascinate. Variety in textures and colors, with an occasional rock surprise will delight the eye. The garden was designed by Lissa Bluhm.

swamp milkweed seeds

The garden was planted with over 1000 native plants, representing over 50 species. Rebecca said that it took about three weeks to plant the spiral. There is a mix of prairie and wetland plants. Blooming this week are bright red cardinal flower, great blue lobelia, black-eyed susans, purple New-England aster, sky-blue aster, calico aster, the closed gentian, and goldenrods. The beauty of gardens such as this is often found in looking for details. The seeds of a swamp milkweed, just opening, form ranks of ovals- a pleasing pattern.

Rain gardens are planted in areas which receive run-off water, usually from parking lots, roofs or lawns. The plants will tolerate the extra moisture and slow the velocity of the water movement, thus reducing erosion and trapping pollutants. Rebecca added that they hope to use the garden for educational purposes as well.

The project is a collaborative effort of A.F.F.E.W. and West Shore Community College. A.F.F.E.W. stands for A Few Friends for the Environment of the World, and is a Ludington-based environmental group.

See A.F.F.E.W.
See raingardens.org for other examples of rain gardens
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See West Shore Community College trails
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