7:00 p.m.  Refreshments and networking

7:30 p.m.  Project announcements

8:00 p.m.  Rick Simek on From Henry Ford's Backyard to the UM-Dearborn Environmental Study Area: A Birdseye View

Rick Simek will present a pictorial story of a changing local natural landscape. It involves the land space now designated as the University of Michigan-Dearborn Environmental Study Area (ESA). He'’ll guide us along using a past-to-present series of aerial photographs, some of which were taken long before there was an ESA. Along the way, you’ll find out how human land-use decisions strongly influenced, and were influenced by, the changing natural character of the ESA, leading to the present.

Rick Simek is the Program Supervisor and Manager of the Natural Areas at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center (EIC). Rick supervises, coordinates, and develops EIC's educational programs for schools and the public. Rick also oversees student interpreters, activities at the campus Community Organic Garden, and stewardship of the Environmental Study Area.

Please note:  In an effort to encourage gardeners to sign up for annual MGAWC membership ($15 US a year, October 1-September 30), the board has decided to charge guests $5 with the hope of incentivizing guests to upgrade to become members. UM-D students are exempted from the guest fee.