Anniversary of 9/11 attacks commemorated at these Washtenaw County events
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Several Washtenaw County-area organizations are preparing commemorative events for the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Booksweet, 1729 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, will be hosting a poetry and prose reading in remembrance of the attacks. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the same day, participants can help remove invasive plants from Sunset Brooks Nature Area, 750 Sunset Road, Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan chapter of Young America’s Foundation will be placing American flags on the school’s Diag, 913 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor. The foundation traditionally plants 2,977 flags, one for each victim, as part of the 9/11 Never Forget Project.
mlive.comNature and theater combine during Shakespeare in the Arb
ANN ARBOR, MI -- For its 20th anniversary, and after a two year hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Shakespeare in the Arb has returned to the Nichols Arboretum with a performance of Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”One of the major inspirations for the Shakespeare in the Arb’s work is nature.
mlive.comPark your butt somewhere else: ‘Hammocking Not Allowed’ signs appear around The Arb
ANN ARBOR, MI - If you’re one of the thousands of visitors to the Nichols Arboretum this summer, you are likely to see a “Hammocking Not Allowed” sign. Where nature-goers park their hindquarters in the Arb is not the concern of University of Michigan staffers, except when it carries the possibility of damaging the Arb’s plants, said Matthaei-Nichols Director Anthony Kolenic.
mlive.comAfter train crash, Ann Arbor weighs need for pedestrian underpass
ANN ARBOR, MI — In the aftermath of an Amtrak train striking two pedestrians on the railroad tracks in Ann Arbor last week, local officials and residents are once again discussing the need for an Arboretum-Gallup underpass connection. “We need to give pedestrians a safe connection through that area,” said City Council Member Jen Eyer, D-4th Ward. “It’s desperately needed.”A spot in Nichols Arboretum where pedestrians many years ago carved out a path for an illegal crossing over the railroad tracks in Ann Arbor on June 8, 2022. Kayakers pass under a railroad bridge next to Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor on June 8, 2022.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor NewsPolice said last week the pedestrians hit by the train were recovering and expected to survive. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:What’s new for Washtenaw County’s Border-to-Border Trail?
mlive.comThey’re in bloom! Rare peonies steal the show in this Michigan garden
ANN ARBOR, MI - You can separate Ann Arbor into two seasons: before and after the Nichols Arboretum peonies bloom. The flowers in the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, established in 1922, typically start to emerge and flourish in late May until mid-June. As the calendar is now in June, the vibrant colors of the rare peony flowers are officially popping.
mlive.comTake a walk through these 10 stunning spots in the Nichols Arboretum
ANN ARBOR, MI - The weather is finally cooperating in Ann Arbor. For the Ann Arbor nature-goers this summer, the Nichols Arboretum is ripe for a visit, if not several. Peonies bloom at Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor NewsPeony GardenThe peony garden in the Arb turns 100 this year, and the plants still produce vibrant blooms of many colors. The Prairie on the eastern side of the Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor.Sam Dodge | MLive.comThe PrairieThe prairie dominates the east side of the Arb, containing some of the most threatended of Michigan’s native plant communities, officials say. From more than a century ago to now, the Arb still stands as a landmark of natural beauty for UM and Ann Arbor.
mlive.comSee decades of the rare flowers in this 100-year-old Michigan peony garden
ANN ARBOR, MI - For 100 years, one of the world’s foremost collection of rare peonies has been in Ann Arbor within the Nichols Arboretum, also known as “the Arb.”The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, named for its original 1922 benefactor, contains 230 different varieties of the peony plant, including the more-common herbaceous and the rarer and larger tree varieties. It is now North America’s largest collection of heirloom and antique peonies.
mlive.comMichigan profs push 'pee for peonies' urine diversion plan
A pair of University of Michigan researchers are putting the “pee” in peony. Rather, they're putting pee ON peonies. Environmental engineering professors Nancy Love and Krista Wigginton are regular visitors to the Ann Arbor school's Nichols Arboretum, where they have been applying urine-based fertilizer to the heirloom peony beds ahead of the flowers' annual spring bloom.
news.yahoo.comMichigan Professors Push ‘Pee For Peonies’ Urine Diversion Plan
Environmental engineering professors Nancy Love and Krista Wigginton are regular visitors to the Ann Arbor school's Nichols Arboretum, where they have been applying urine-based fertilizer to the heirloom peony beds ahead of the flowers'...
detroit.cbslocal.comShroom festival planned in Ann Arbor to celebrate psychedelic awareness month
ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor has officially declared September to be Entheogenic Plant and Fungi Awareness Month, and a psychedelic mushroom festival is on tap to celebrate. That includes ayahuasca, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms and other natural compounds with hallucinogenic properties deemed illegal under state and federal law, though not synthetic compounds like LSD. To celebrate the anniversary of Ann Arbor’s decriminalization move, there will be a “sacred plant and mushroom festival” called Entheo Fest every September in Ann Arbor, starting next month on Sept. 19, states the resolution City Council approved Monday night. Why Ann Arbor officials decided to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, plantsThe awareness resolution council approved Monday night proclaims practices with entheogenic plants and fungi have been considered sacred to human cultures and human relationships with nature for thousands of years. Julie Barron, executive director of Decriminalize Nature Ann Arbor, said last September’s decriminalization resolution was a big win for the movement.
mlive.comDozens of parking tickets issued as people flock to see peonies in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR, MI — Bob Hart said Memorial Day weekend was a picture-perfect opportunity to witness the majesty of the peony garden at the University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum. But when he arrived Sunday, the Ann Arbor resident said the public parking spaces on Washington Heights were taken, leaving dozens of drivers hustling to find spaces in nearby UM lots. Despite signs noting parking is enforced 24/7, he didn’t think it would be an issue on the holiday weekend. “While the peonies were still mostly tightly wrapped and playing coy with the crowds, the parking patrol was not. The city of Ann Arbor also does not enforce parking on Sundays and holidays, so downtown public parking facilities were free to park at both Sunday and Monday.
mlive.comSee the peonies in bloom at University of Michigan garden
ANN ARBOR – The peonies at Nichols Arboretum have begun to show their beautiful blooms again - a sure sign that summer is near. At their peak in early June, nearly 800 plants and 10,000 flowers will dazzle visitors to the university’s garden, which hosts what the University of Michigan claims to be the largest collection of heirloom peonies in North America. Currently, the stars of the show are the tree peonies - hardy flowering shrubs that are as wide as they are tall and feature woody stems. Tree peonies, which line the edges of the garden around the central square plots, bloom two to three weeks earlier than their herbaceous counterparts. In recent years, the university’s Matthei Botanical Garden has also expanded their collection of tree peonies along Laurel Ridge, which overlooks the main garden.
mlive.com99th year of brilliant blooms open to the public at Nichols Arboretum peony garden
ANN ARBOR, MI – The peony gardens at Nichols Arboretum is open to the public and getting ready to bloom. The garden will celebrate its 99th year from approximately Memorial Day through mid-June, depending on the weather. This year, the peony garden remains the focus of attention in Nichols Arboretum, as Shakespeare in the Arb has been canceled for the second straight year, officials said. “This was a very difficult decision,” said Tony Kolenic, new director of Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. More information can be found on the peony garden’s website.
mlive.com‘Root ball’ at Nichols Arboretum causes 600-gallon sewage overflow - again
ANN ARBOR, MI – A root ball caused hundreds of gallons of frothy sewage to be discharged into the University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum Monday morning for the second time in more than a month. City of Ann Arbor Public Works staff responded May 10, to an open grassy area of the arboretum where it was discovered a root ball had caused a blockage of a sanitary sewer pipe, according to a notice from the city public works department. A root ball happens when tree roots grow into a sewer pipe and create a blockage. A similar sewage overflow occurred at the arboretum on April 1 when 500 gallons of sewage was spilled due to a root ball blockage. ‘Root ball’ causes 500-gallon sewage spill in Nichols Arboretum in Ann ArborThat affected area, located along the Huron River, was also covered with lime to neutralize any bacteria and cordoned off with tape and signs, officials said.
mlive.com‘Root ball’ causes 500-gallon sewage spill in Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR, MI — Hundreds of gallons of sewage spilled into the University of Michigan’s Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor’s latest sewer overflow, the city reported Friday, April 2. A “root ball,” which happens when tree roots grow into a sewer pipe and create a blockage. In accordance with regulatory protocols, the city reported the sewage spill to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, officials said. The city has reported multiple sewage spills on Main Street recently related to a contractor doing sewer-lining work. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:$2.5M pledge from anonymous donor is biggest-ever boost for Ann Arbor Treeline project200 energy efficiency kits to be distributed to homebound residents in Ann ArborWashtenaw County seeking feedback to improve Border-to-Border trailAnn Arbor police chief has message for Hash Bash visitors: ‘We’re in the middle of a pandemic’Women who sued Ann Arbor police for breaking down their door get $50K in settlement
mlive.comU-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum accepting applications for 2021 internships
(Meredith Bruckner)ANN ARBOR – Are you a college student with a strong interest in farming, gardening and environmental education? Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are now accepting applications for the 2021 internship season, which include various paid positions. Required qualifications include a university or college student with enthusiasm for teamwork, willingness to learn and a good work ethic. In-person internship work will take place in accordance with strict COVID safety protocols. As part of the University of Michigan we adhere to university policy and guidelines for all public and employment programs.
Nothing to ‘sneeze’ at: Tulips at Matthaei-Nichols garden hope to put on a soul-lifting spring show
But what is normal for Doug Conley every year is planting tulips in anticipation of a spring bloom. “If you’ve ever watched a sneeze on a piece of paper or something, it’s very scattered,” said Conley, the garden coordinator. But the garden beds will look full and beautiful in the spring, Conley said. The bulbs will reorient themselves, though, and still grow through the soil to give the garden a more naturalistic feel, Conley said. Now, it’s a waiting game for spring to see how the tulips bloom.
mlive.comBuild a kid-friendly winter obstacle course inspired by U-M gardens, arboretum staff
To help beat the winter blues, families are encouraged to venture outdoors to play, spend time together and get some fresh air. “In Gaffield Children’s Garden, we provide rich, open-ended nature play experiences. We encourage families to participate and replicate what we do here, in their own homes, apartments, and parks.”One such activity is constructing a winter obstacle course. They posted this obstacle course over the weekend:Anything can be used to construct the obstacle course -- snow balls, sticks, stumps and rope, to name a few items. Make sure you associate a mission with the course: “Let’s hop over three snowballs, circle the stump two times and sprint to the tree.”To see the full guide on creating a fun winter obstacle course, click here.
New director picked for Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum
ANN ARBOR, MI — The University of Michigan has announced that Anthony Kolenic will become director of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum on March 1. He succeeds Bob Grese, who was the director since 2004 and retired in June, the release states. Program Manager David Betz has been serving as interim director and will continue to do so until Kolenic’s appointment takes effect. READ MORE:A Waffle House in Ann Arbor? University of Michigan students are working on itMandatory weekly COVID-19 testing required for University of Michigan on-campus undergradsStudents flock to Ann Arbor apartments as University of Michigan dorms limited for winter semester
mlive.comU-M names new director of Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum
ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan announced that Anthony J. Kolenic will return to Ann Arbor to become the director of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Kolenic will start his five-year appointment on March 1 and will oversee 40 staff and partners at U-M who maintain and support more than 840 acres at the Matthaei-Nichols properties. Program manager of Matthaei-Nichols, David Betz, has been serving as interim director since Grese retired and will continue until Kolenic’s start date. “MBGNA is vital to the university’s mission and serves as a catalyst for sustainability and inclusive community engagement and education,” Kolenic said in a statement. Prior to joining U-M, he taught from 2006 to 2012 at Michigan State University’s Center for the Integrative Studies of Arts and Humanities.
U-M’s Matthaei-Nichols launches #everydayoutdoors challenge
ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan’s Matthaei-Nichols botanical gardens and arboretum has launched a fun new campaign to encourage families to enjoy the outdoors this month. Its #everydayoutdoors campaign challenges families to complete a series of outdoor activities like rolling down hills, finding animal tracks and foraging for acorns. The only thing you need to do is get outside!”Every Day Outdoors challenge activities for December 2020. (University of Michigan Matthaei-Nichols)Share your photos with @matthaeinichols on Instagram with the hashtag #everydayoutdoors. Enjoy the winter fun!
Shakespeare in the Arb canceled as it prepares to mark 20th anniversary
ANN ARBOR Summer in Nichols Arboretum is defined by the beautiful peony garden, long hikes and performances of Shakespeare in the Arb. The unique live theater production has canceled its 2020 season that was set to run June 14 through July 8 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year, the collaboration between Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum and University of Michigans Residential College was set to celebrate its 20th anniversary with an adaptation of A Midsummer Nights Dream.We hope to bring this special 20th anniversary celebration of Shakespeare in the Arb back in 2021, said organizers in on the events website. In the meantime, well be featuring special Shakespeare in the Arb content on our website and social media in June.Shakespeare in the Arb performances have no stage. Instead, actors guide the audience through the scenic 120-acre Nichols Arboretum, incorporating scenes of nature and vast panoramas into the play.
Get chased by zombies in the Arb at annual Zombie Run 5K
Run for your life in the annual 5K run/walk on Oct. 25 at the annual Zombie Run in Nichols Arboretum. The fright fest involves racing through the Arb's trails during a full-scale zombie attack. Shirts are not guaranteed after Oct. 7 and registration ends on Oct. 22. Designated " safe areas, " including the water station, will be located throughout the course. safe areas, including the water station, will be located throughout the course.
Top spots for fall colors on the University of Michigan campus
ANN ARBOR - With a nickname like "Tree Town," you know that Ann Arbor is going to have some super spectacular fall foliage. Specifically, the picturesque University of Michigan campus is a perfectly ideal spot for leaf-peeping once summer winds down and there's a crisp feeling in the air. Matthaei Botanical GardensFurther from downtown, visitors can find stunning maple groves during the autumn months at U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo: PexelsLaw QuadWhile gorgeous anytime of year, the Law Quad is especially beautiful during the autumn months. Photo: PexelsNorth CampusOften overlooked by visitors, the North Campus area at the university is sprawling, walkable, and scenic - especially in the fall.
Gorgeous 1920s Tudor bordering Ann Arbor's Arboretum hits market
ANN ARBOR - Steps away from the Nichols Arboretum and the University of Michigan's campus, this five-bedroom home at 2023 Seneca Ave. has just gone up for sale. Built in 1924, the brick and stucco Tudor has been beautifully maintained and still has many of its original features, including hardwood floors, built-ins, and preserved trim and moldings. Newer features include a renovated kitchen with a colorful Motawi Tile backsplash and updated bathrooms. The third floor was renovated in 2001 and includes an extra bedroom, nanny's suite or office, a flex space and a full bathroom. Credit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettCredit: Augie BonettAll About Ann Arbor is powered by ClickOnDetroit/WDIV.