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Plants play an important role

Monday, March 24, 2008 10:50 AM EDT

NILES - Could you imagine life without some of the most important essentials? What would your life be like without coffee or chocolate, bananas or vanilla? How would your life be different with no rubber for your tires, fabric for your clothing, or drugs to cure life-threatening illnesses?

Plant explorers have played an important role in enriching our lives and beautifying our world with their discoveries and they continue to find new plants for our future needs.

Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve will host its Spring Symposium this Saturday beginning at 8:45 a.m. Registration fee is $60 for Fernwood members and $75 for non-members and includes all sessions, breaks and lunch.

Learn more about these renowned explorers, some of the hardships they faced and the important discoveries they have made.

The program will include plant exploration and early plant explorers of China; Ed Hedborn, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Ill.; Plants For Today; In Search of New Plants; Recent Discoveries; Plants in Print: The Age of Botanical Discovery; and The Story Behind That Plant: Fernwood's Plant Collection

The symposium fulfills two hours of Michigan Master Gardener continuing education credits. Please call 695-6491 to register or for more information.

Upcoming events at Fernwood include:

High Tea at Fernwood

Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m.

Following up on last spring's fabulously successful English High Tea, the Michiana Unit of the Herb Society of America has scheduled another tea for Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m. The event is open to Fernwood members and the public. This is a fundraiser, as well as great fun, with the proceeds funding the Herb Society's contributions and work at Fernwood. Special guest speaker is Wendy Anderson Halperin, Michigan artist and author. Contact Fernwood for details.

Knee-High Naturalist: Earth Day

Friday, April 11; 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, four- and five-year-olds learn about our wonderful planet Earth! Take a look at the 4 Rs--reduce, reuse, recycle, and refuse--and learn how even kids can make positive choices to help keep the earth healthy. Please dress for walking the trails. Class size is limited; please call ahead.

Members $8, Public $10

Nature Saplings: Beautiful Birds

Sunday, April 13; 3 to 4 p.m.

Little ones ages 21/2 to 31/2 with an adult discover the colorful world of birds. A rainbow of birds such as red cardinals, blue jays, yellow goldfinches and more are busy at Fernwood! Please dress for walking the trails. Class size is limited; please call ahead.

Members $4 for each child/adult pair

Public $5 for each child/adult pair

It is recommended to call Fernwood to confirm status of classes beforehand. Contact Fernwood for registration and information at 695-6491.

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