Region III - Great Lakes
IN, MI, OH

2008 GWA Region III Regional Meeting
June 6-7, 2008
Michigan State University, East Lansing
and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

You are cordially invited to participate in a special GWA Region III meeting to tour the unique facilities and services of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Join us to: learn how these great Big 10 universities promote gardening; hear presentations from key researchers and tour test sites, tour public gardens, and an arboretum and conservatory, all while networking with fellow garden communicators from our region. There will also be a private garden tour at the Ann Arbor home of David Michener, PhD botanist and associate curator of the University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. His private garden was developed over 15 years, replacing much of the lawn with favorite plants designed for seasonal changes with strategic planting to screen out traffic on his exposed corner location.

In conjunction with this meeting, GWA Region III is offering a daylong photo workshop with Alan Detrick. Alan gave this workshop last year in Kansas City, where it was a resounding success. See below for more information about this opportunity.

Schedule of Events
(Transportation during the meeting is on your own)
Friday, June 6
1:00p:
Registration at Michigan State University (East Lansing, Mich.)
1:30p:
Visit 4-H Children's Garden. This award winning, half-acre garden features more than 56 individual theme areas that create a place of wonder and delight for people of any age.

2:15p:
MSU Professor Bridget Behe presentation on consumer survey studies
3:45p:
MSU Professor Brad Rowe presentation on Green Roof Research Program, including tour of test sites.

Optional activity:
Visit MSU's organic farm and CSA operation on own (2 to 3 miles from campus). Transportation on own. For more information, visit http://www.msuorganicfarm.com/
6:00p:
Evening dinner on your own.

We’re recommending accommodations (see below) in Ann Arbor, which is about a 30 to 40 minute drive from East Lansing. However, feel free to make your own arrangements for Friday night. We will provide driving instructions to other meeting sites with the registration packet.
Saturday, June 7

Breakfast on own.
7:45a:
Assemble at University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Garden (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
8:00a:
Depart Matthaei Botanic Garden on U of M shuttles.
8:15a:
Visit David Michener's private garden and Peony Garden at Nichols Arboretum. (Copy of newspaper article about Michener's garden is available up request. See 'for more info' below.) The Peony Garden features 230 different varieties. This is a spectacular historic collection, one of the largest in North America, dating back 85 years and presenting the best ornamental peonies of its era.
9:50a:
Arrive back at Matthaei Botanical Garden on U of M shuttles.
10:00a:
Tour of Matthaei Botanical Garden and Conservatory. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007, the botanical garden and Nichols Arboretum offer more than 700 acres of gardens, research areas and natural preserves around the Ann Arbor area with a complex of conservatory, greenhouses, laboratory and teaching areas.

11:00a:
Alan Detrick talk on digital photography basics
Noon:
Lunch and plant give away
1:00p:
Depart at will, unless registered for Photo Workshop*.

*For information on the optional Region III photo workshop, CLICK HERE

Prior to May 16th May 17-30
Members & Spouses:
$50/person
$65/person
Non-Members:    
$60/person
$80/person

Registration Deadline: May 30th, 2008 (Earlier would be appreciated!)

Cancellation Deadline: May 30th, 2008*
*Cancellations must be received in writing on or before the due date.

A minimum of 10 participants is required to hold this meeting

For more information contact:
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
(317) 251.3261
hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net

To Register On-line: Click Here

Directions

From the North or West:
take US127 to Exit 8 Trowbridge Road. Go straight through the lights, on Trowbridge Rd. onto campus. The road will curve around and you will arrive at the red light for Trowbridge and Wilson. Make a right (go east) on Wilson. Pass through two green lights and turn right onto Bogue St. Proceed south on Bogue St. about 1/4 mile and you will pass the Plant & Soil Science Building on the right and the Vet School on the left. The 4H Children's Garden lot is just beyond the Plant & Soil Science Building, before you cross the railroad tracks, on the right side of the road.

From the East:
take I-96 to Exit 110 (Okemos Road). Turn left from Okemos Rd. onto Jolly Rd., which is the first traffic light north of the exit ramp. Proceed 1.5 miles west to Hagadorn Rd. Turn right (go north) on Hagadorn Rd. 3.5 miles to the corner of MSU Service Drive/Hannah Blvd. and Hagadorn Rd. Make a Michigan Left onto Service Dr. Go west approximately 1/2 mile and turn right onto Bogue St. The entrance to the 4H Children's Garden is on the left, just beyond the railroad tracks.

Print a detailed campus map from http://maps.msu.edu/ and bring along to help navigate.

Hotel Information

Hampton Inn Ann Arbor-North
2300 Green Rd, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 48105
Tel: 734-996-4444 Fax: 734-996-0196
2 Doubles or 1 King $129
Continental breakfast, A- guest rating

Holiday Inn Near the University of Michigan
3600 Plymouth Road " Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
Phone: (734) 769-9800 " Fax: (734) 761-1290 Toll Free: (800) 800-55601
Full $110
No breakfast included, B- guest rating

Microtel Inn & Suites Ann Arbor
(Plymouth Road) 3610 Plymouth Road " Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Phone: (734) 997-9100 " Fax: (734) 997-9012 Toll Free: (800) 771-7171
1 Queen $65
Continental breakfast, B guest rating

Red Roof Inn Ann Arbor - University North
US Route 23 at exit #41, Plymouth Road 3621 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, United States, 48105
Phone: (734) 996-5800 Fax: (734) 996-5707
1 or 2 full beds $75 Coffee only, B rating

Garden Writers Association
10210 Leatherleaf Court, Manassas, VA 20111
Phone: (703) 257-1032 - Fax: (703) 257-0213