Native Connections

Sedge seed heads are out! These are just a few from our little raingarden. They are similar to grasses, but have a triangular stem and an interesting array of spikey seed heads.

There are sedge species for many different ecosystems; the next natural area you venture through, keep an eye out for these guys.

The Portage Library has learning opportunities inside and outside the building! Come check out their Monarch Waystation and efforts to surround the building with pollinator habitat.

Mothers Day is coming up quickly! Check out our webstore for a limited time offer Wildflower mix inspired by one of our regular customers. This mix has been given by a dedicated individual every year for the last few years on Mother's Day and we thought we'd share the love! 💐

We haven’t had Lead plant in husks for a bit and we’ve gotten new measuring cups so it was time for a new “sandcastle” photo

This wildflower mix is inspired by one of our regular customers. Give the gift of native flowers to a maternal figure in your life or treat yourself! It will be available in our new webstore until the end of May.

https://shop.nativeconnections.net/products/conservation-pollinator-seed-mix-copy?variant=46946685091971

Sorting through some photos and rediscovered this fun one from our Lupine knoll. When Lupine seed pods dry, they contract until the pod explodes from the tension. This seed landed squarely in one of the leaves of the Lupine plant. I'm sure it got knocked down to the soil eventually. Due to their explosive nature we store the collected pods in a big mesh bag that sits in the sun like a big bag of popcorn!

We just launched a webstore where you can purchase our pre-designed mixes more easily! We made some updates to a few mixes as well; you'll still see our Shortgrass and Pollinator Mixes but with some adjustment to species and rates.

If you want a custom mix or mixes for larger areas, email or a phone call is still the way to go so we can find the best fit for your site.

You can reach the store through links on our website or visit shop.nativeconnections.net Please go peruse the mixes and let us know if you have any questions!

Just a little bee enjoying one of our Columbine flowers ( )
🐝

In between the snowfalls we've had some beautifully frosty mornings. ❄

We are excited to attend this year's Burning Issues conference put on by the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council. There is still time to sign up and join the conversation about how we use fire in todays ecosystems.

If your work touches prescribed fire, habitat management, restoration, wildlife, or land stewardship, Burning Issues 2026 is designed for you.

Two days of:

Applied science

Practitioner experience

Honest discussion about what’s changing—and how we respond

Fort Custer Training Center, Augusta, MI
February 10–11, 2026
Register & details: https://www.firecouncil.org/bi2026