Master Gardener Association of Wayne County (MGAWC) membership is open to ALL with an interest in supporting gardening, nature & environmental education & activities
No residency requirement, NO volunteer requirement, NO screening, NO attendance requirement
Members include current, former/retired, future Master Gardeners (MG) & non-MGs
$15 by mail or in-person & $16 online/person/year Become a Member
Meets in-person on the second Thursday evening September-November & April-June at The University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Environmental Interpretive Center (EIC)
Meets virtually on Zoom on the second Thursday evening January-March
Established by volunteers in 1984, the Master Gardener Association of Wayne County (MGAWC) is dedicated to distributing current research-based gardening information, increasing environmental awareness, promoting gardening activities, & supporting volunteerism in southeastern Michigan with affordable & accessible activities.
New and Returning Members Welcome
The MGAWC membership year runs from October 1 to September 30. You do not have to be a current or former Master Gardener to join. Besides educational programs, members enjoy occasional special shopping invitations, refreshments at most meetings, & learning about volunteer opportunities, educational events, & community activities from other members.
Let's Go Gardening!
Before the pandemic, on Saturdays in May, MGAWC volunteers were at the point of sale to answer questions about gardening. The goal is to set gardeners up for success. Throughout the year, please let Barson's Greenhouse and English Gardens know that MGAWC appreciates their participation.
Barson’s Greenhouse, 6414 Merriman Road, between Ford & Warren, in Westland, https://www.barsons.com/
English Gardens, 22650 Ford Road, at Outer Drive, in Dearborn Heights, http://www.englishgardens.com/locations/dearborn-heights-mi
Take on a Volunteer Job to Get Involved & Stay Involved
Recent graduates of MG training classes may wonder how to get their hours and how to stay involved in the program. The best way to get involved is to hang out with MG volunteers who will show you the way to meaningful and efficient projects and educational programs that make good use of your valuable time. Many MGAWC members are long-time community volunteers. They found that by taking on a seasonal or on-going volunteer job, they meet people and stay engaged.
Educational Presentations Nine Months a Year
To take advantage of a year of networking with gardeners and nine educational programs, please consider joining MGAWC for $15 including meetings on the second Thursday evening, April-June and September-November, at the Environmental Interpretive Center at The University of Michigan-Dearborn campus, and on Zoom January-March. All interested gardeners, environmentalists or those supportive of MGAWC’s mission related to education, gardening and volunteerism are encouraged to join.
Click the gray button below to sign up on-line (or print a form to mail with a check).
Click the orange button further below to see some of what's already planned for 2024.
UM-D Visitor Parking Free after 7 p.m. on Thursdays
UM-D visitors are charged $0.50/hour for parking until 7 p.m. on weekdays. Those who arrive early for networking and refreshments at 7 p.m. may have to park on the third floor and pay $0.50. Parking after 7 p.m. is still free. Details on the parking policy were at https://umdearborn.edu/about/visit-campus/parking-and-transportation/visitor-parking.
MGAWC membership meetings
Second Thursday evening, September through June
In 2022 we started on Zoom with Gail Morrell sharing Learnings from the Past, then with Wendy Evans and the Art of Garden Design, and Dean Krauskopf, PhD, rounded out the first quarter with Science for Gardeners. Resources at Summaries & Follow-up Info from Meetings — (squarespace.com)
In April, we learned about Climate Change with Claudia Walters, PhD, then Marilee Benore, PhD, talked about Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Gardens in May. In June, we tested meeting in-person outside at the Environmental Interpretive Center where we toured the gardens around EIC and the nearby Community Organic Garden on the UM-Dearborn campus.
In July, we were invited to the garden open house at Tollgate and later to visit Kyle Kandilian's garden in Livonia. Over the summer, we shared info on field trips to various gardens including Four Star Greenhouse, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, and Hidden Lake Gardens. In September, members gathered at the Taylor Conservatory.
In October, we enjoyed learning about Insects that Call Our Gardens Home with David Lowenstein, PhD, then how Great Plants Start with Great Soil with Jaden Gimondo in November. Pre-Covid MGAWC members gathered in December for food, fellowship and fun. Here’s a link to last year's presentation: Microsoft PowerPoint - 09 Dec 2021 MGAWC 0-Cal Potluck Zoom Final (squarespace.com)
In 2021, membership meetings continue on Zoom. The new year started with a Tree Talk in January and Science for Gardeners in February. Later this year, we’ll learn about native crops & edible plants.
In 2020, in-person membership meeting topics included the Detroit River International Nature Refuge and an update on the Henry Ford Fair Lane Estate grounds & renovations. MGAWC moved to Zoom for monthly sessions starting with an orientation to Zoom, then guest speakers sharing information about backyard wildlife and re-stitching the habitat for birds with native plants, trees & shrubs.
In 2019, membership meeting topics included vines, maple sugaring in Michigan, container-grown Hostas, the annual spring opener with Dr. Dean Krauskopf, art in the garden, the geography, culture, history & ecology of Mongolia, critter-resistant native plants, and nocturnal animals (the after-hour residents of your garden).
In 2018, membership meeting topics included the ecology and geology of the Shetland Islands, plants that are hot for 2018, Michigan owls, the annual spring opener with Dr. Dean Krauskopf, rain gardens and native planting projects with Detroit Public Schools, nature-inspired art works at the DIA, rhododendruns and azaleas, UM-D pollinator gardens and bug hotel, and the Flower House floral exhibit in Hamtramck.
For 2017, membership meeting topics included determining credible sources of gardening information, urban conservation, bird migration, learning from past years of gardening, native plants, green roofs, raptor migration across the Detroit River, the history of the UM-D natural areas, and plants that really perform.
In 2016, membership meeting topics included garden tools, eight months of color in the garden, maple syrup, the annual spring opener with Dr. Dean Krauskopf, plantings to attract beneficial insects, the ecological revival of the Detroit River, the Migratory Bird Treaty centennial, plants for tough spaces, and a cooking demo.
Follow up info
Select notes and links from outstanding presentations are in "Summaries & Follow-up Info from Meetings" under "Education" along the top.
Stewardship Saturdays
https://umdearborn.edu/eic/involved/stewardshipdays.html
Volunteers are welcome to tend the UM-Dearborn Natural Areas on the third Saturday afternoon of each month.
Contact Paid Staff at MSU Extension with Master Gardener Certification Questions
MGAWC is an all volunteer group. You do not have to be a Master Gardener to join, support and grow with MGAWC.
The paid staff of MSU Extension are responsible for the Master Gardener classes. Paid staff determine the value of volunteer projects and educational programs for certification.
MGAWC members at the International Master Gardener Conference (IMGC) in Portland, Oregon. The next IMGC is in Overland Park, Kansas, June 18-22, 2023. More info at internationalmastergardener.com.
