Resources

A list of resources compiled and annotated by KAWO members

Click on a topic to find the list. Titles of entries link to more information when available.

Why Grow Natives?

Books

• Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, by Douglas W. Tallamy. Timber Press, 2009. Dr. Tallamy reveals the unbreakable link between native plant species and native wildlife. When native plants disappear, the insects disappear, impoverishing the food source for birds and other animals.
• Nature’s Best Hope, by Douglas W. Tallamy. Timber Press, 2020. Nature’s Best Hope shows how homeowners everywhere can turn their yards into conservation corridors that provide wildlife habitats.
• Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards, by Sara Stein. Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Published to rave reviews in 1993, Noah’s Garden shows us how our landscape style of neat yards and gardens has devastated suburban ecology, wiping out entire communities of plants and animals by stripping bare their habitats and destroying their food supplies.
• Using Native Plants to Restore Community in Southwest Michigan and Beyond, by Nancy Cutbirth Small and Tom Small. KAWO, 2011. Why grow natives? Landscaping for biodiversity. Non-native invasives. SWM-specific plant lists: Wildflowers, Trees, Shrubs, Grasses; Insect & wildlife interactions; Impact on vegetable gardening.

Video presentations

• Many presentations by and interviews with Doug Tallamy are available on YouTube. Dr. Tallamy explains the research behind the need for biodiversity and the impact of native plants on the environment. His books and videos comprise a comprehensive yet accessible description of the natural world and a doable plan for its preservation.

Environmental History

Books

• A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold. Ballantine, 1986. The environmental classic that redefined the way we think about the natural world—an urgent call for preservation that’s more timely than ever.
• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Milkweed Editions, 2015. As a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Dr. Kimmerer combines the tools of sciences with the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers.
• The Once and Future Great Lakes Country: An Ecological History, by John Riley. McGill-Queen’s UP, 2014. A history of environmental change in the Great Lakes region.

Regenerative Agriculture

Documentary Film

• Kiss the Ground. Netflix, 2020. A documentary narrated by Woody Harrelson and with appearances by Tom Brady and Patricia Arquette. Featuring scientific experts in the field: Ray Archuleta, Conservation Agronomist, NRCS; Dr. Kristine Nichols, Chief Scientist, Rodale Institute; Kristin Ohlson, author “The Soil Will Save Use”; Maria Rodale; Paul Hawken. Carbon as the basis of life; the importance of soil structure; the causes of soil erosion (tillage, chemicals); desertification across 2/3 of world’s surface; 60 yrs of top soil remains; Holistic land management, Regenerative Agriculture (restoring the soil), & Drawdown of legacy carbon. Result: Global cooling.

Insects and Pollinators

Books and other print publications

• Attracting Native Pollinators, by the Xerxes Society. Storey, 2011. Protecting North America’s Bees and Butterflies. Provide host plants and nesting sites for bees & butterflies. Ensure pollination in your garden.
• The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees, by Joseph S. Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril. Princeton UP, 2015. Provides an engaging introduction to the roughly 4,000 different bee species found in the U.S. and Canada, dispelling common myths while offering essential tips for telling them apart in the field.
• Bees of the Great Lakes Region and Wildflowers to Support Them, MSU ext. Bulletin E3282. A guide for farmers, gardeners and landscapers. Introduction to bees & their favored native plants in Michigan.
• Caterpillars of Eastern North America, by David L. Wagner. Princeton UP, 2005. Lavishly illustrated guide to ID nearly 700 butterflies & moths found east of the Mississippi; info on distribution, seasonal activity, food plants, & life history.
• Michigan Butterflies and Skippers, by Mogens C. Nielson. MSU Cooperative, 1999. This guidebook provides illustrations of Michigan’s recorded butterflies and skippers and comments on their identification, habitat, adult food sources, larval host plants and distribution in the state.
• Milkweed, Monarchs, and More, by Ba Rea, Karen Oberhauser, and Michael A. Quinn. Bas Relief, 2011. This Field Guide provides an insider’s view of the numerous invertebrate species that are supported in a patch of milkweed.
• Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America, by David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie. Mariner, 2012. Range maps, seasonal graphs, clear photographs and a system for easy identification.
• Pollinators of Native Plants, by Heather Holm. Pollination Press, 2014. This is the first comprehensive book to illustrate the specific relationships between native pollinators and native plants. The book profiles over 65 perennial native plants, and the pollinators, beneficial insects and flower visitors the plants attract.

Video presentation

• Milkweed, Monarchs, and More, by Ilse Gebhard. This video presentation provides an overview of monarch biology and their relationships with milkweed plants. Presented by Kalamazoo area resident and Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist Ilse Gebhard at the Portage District Library.

Invasive Plants

Books

• A Field Identification Guide to Invasive Plants in Michigan’s Natural Communities, by Kim Borlund, et al. MSU Extension, 2009. Identification guide to 47 key invasive species and a concise overview of invasive plants including their threat, the importance of early detection, and the elements of a more comprehensive approach to addressing their impacts.
• Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest, by E.J. Czarapata. U of Wisconsin P, 2005. Information and descriptions of various invasive plant species. An illustrated guide to their identification and control.

Online Resources

• Michigan invasive plant species: identify and report. A guide to invasive plant species organized by habitat type or growth form.
• Michigan Invasive Species Coalition
• EDDMapS Midwest. Collaboration among multiple stakeholders working to rapidly respond to new invasive species sightings in the Great Lakes and Midwestern states.
• Eyes On The Forest. MSU based site relies on volunteers like you to monitor Sentinel Trees across the state.
• Forest Health Protection. Programs emphasize protecting the long-term health and sustainability of our forests.
• Invasive Species Organizations Map. Look-up tool from Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative to identify local invasive species management organizations in the Great Lakes area.
• Midwest Invasive Plants Network
• Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN). a regional effort to develop and provide early detection and response resources for invasive species. Smart-phone App.
• National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species (NECIS). A partnership of environmental organizations and professional societies dedicated to strengthening the nation’s response to invasive species, with a particular focus on preventing new invasions.
• National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC). Invasive species information; covering federal, state, local and international sources.
• North American Invasive Species Management Association. Network of professionals who implement management programs to prevent impacts of invasive species.
• Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative. A network of agencies, organizations and citizens who are engaged in Phragmites control.

Landscaping and Native Gardening

Books and other print publications

• Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan, by Lynn Steiner. Voyageur, 2006. Designs using native plants maximizing natural settings. Lists of plants with complete descriptions including native habitat, landscape use, companion plants & culture.
• Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan’s Inland Lakes: A Guidebook for Property Owners, by Julia Kirkwood, et al. MSU ext. Bulletin E3145, 2011. A 70-page publication on the natural shoreline landscapes on Michigan’s inland lakes.
• The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden, by Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy. Timber, 2014.
• Urban & Suburban Meadows: Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces, by Catherine Zimmerman. Matrix Media, 2018.
• Using Native Plants to Restore Community in Southwest Michigan and Beyond, by Nancy Cutbirth Small and Tom Small. KAWO, 2011. Why grow natives? Landscaping for biodiversity. Non-native invasives. SWM-specific plant lists: Wildflowers, Trees, Shrubs, Grasses; Insect & wildlife interactions; Impact on vegetable gardening.
• Pollinators of Native Plants, by Heather Holm. Pollination Press, 2014. This is the first comprehensive book to illustrate the specific relationships between native pollinators and native plants. The book profiles over 65 perennial native plants, and the pollinators, beneficial insects and flower visitors the plants attract.
• A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators, by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla. Island, 2023.
• Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change, by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher. Timber, 2016.

Video presentation

• Planting Natives Using Real Ecosystems as a Guide, by Kim Chapman. A KAWO speaker presentation. Slides from the presentation with links to online and print resources related to this topic are available here.

Plant Identification

Books

• Ferns of Michigan, by Cecil Billington. Hassell Street, 2021 (1952). Fern identification.
• Michigan Ferns and Lycophytes: A Guide to Species of the Great Lakes Region, by Daniel A. Palmer. University of Michigan Regional, 2018. Covering all 120 taxa found in the state, it features detailed keys, species descriptions, and range maps alongside precise illustrations. Readers learn about the etymology of species’ common and scientific names as well as interesting facts about their historic uses by humans and place within the Michigan ecosystem.
• Michigan Trees: A Guide to the Trees of Michigan and the Great Lakes Region, by B.V. Barnes and W.H. Wagner. University of Michigan Regional, 2004. Tree identification and characteristics.
• Tree Finder: A Manual for Identification of Trees by their Leaves (Eastern US), by May Theilgaard Watts. Nature Study Guild, 1991.
• Trees of Michigan Field Guide, by Stan Tekiela. Adventure, 2020. Identification of most common trees in Michigan, both Native & non-Native.
• Wetland Plants of Michigan: A Complete Guide to the Wetland and Aquatic Plants of the Great Lakes State, by Steve W. Chadde. 2012. A comprehensive manual on the identification, habitats, and distribution of nearly 900 vascular plants found in the state’s aquatic and wetland environments. Intended for scientists and persons interested in wetland plants.
• Wildflowers of Michigan Field Guide, by Stan Tekiela. Adventure, 2021. Identify 201 of the most common Wildflowers found in Michigan, both Native & non-Native.
• Winter Tree Finder: A Manual for Identifying Deciduous Trees in Winter (Eastern US), by May T. Watts and Tom Watts. Nature Study Guild, 1970.
• Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification, by Thomas J. Elpel. HOPS Press, 2013. An Herbal Field Guide to Plant Families of North America.
• Fern Finder: A Guide to Native Ferns of Central and Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada, by Barbara Hallowell and Anne C. Hallowell. Nature Study Guild, 2001.
• Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, by Lawrence Newcomb and Gordon Morrison. Little, Brown, 1989. Plant Identification Key: The classic field guide for quick identification of wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and vines.
• The Prairie in Seed: Identifying Seed-Bearing Prairie Plants in the Upper Midwest, by Dave Williams. University of Iowa, 2016. Identifying wild flowers when out of bloom. Dormant plant identification, seed descriptions, and guidance for seed harvesting & cleaning.

Plant Propagation

Books

• Growing and Propagating Wild Flowers, by Harry R. Phillips. UNC, 1985. Seed collection, cleaning, storage; soil preparation; propagation Designs for planting various beds.
• The New England Wild Flower Society Guide to Growing and Propagating Wildflowers of the United States and Canada, by William Cullina. Houghton, 2000. Clear & detailed information on growing & propagating 1000 species of plants and includes an encyclopedia of plants native to the U.S. and Canada.
• The Prairie in Seed: Identifying Seed-Bearing Prairie Plants in the Upper Midwest, by Dave Williams. University of Iowa, 2016. Identifying wild flowers when out of bloom. Dormant plant identification, seed descriptions, and guidance for seed harvesting & cleaning.

Reference

Books

• Botany for Gardeners: An Introduction to the Science of Plants, by Brian Capon. Timber, 2022.
• Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary, by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris. Spring Lake, 2001.
• Michigan Forest Communities: A Field Guide and Reference, by Donald I. Dickmann. MSU Extension, 2004. Descriptions of the ecological composition of the major types of forest communities in the state.
• A Field Guide to the Natural Communities of Michigan, by Joshua G. Cohen et al. MSU Press, 2014. This field guide provides a system for dividing the complex natural landscapes of Michigan into easily understood and describable components called natural communities. Great for travel planning.
• Prairies and Savannas in Michigan: Rediscovering Our Natural Heritage, by Ryan O’Connor et al. MSU Press, 2009. Descriptions of these types of communities and their composition.
• In Search of Swampland: A Wetland Sourcebook and Field Guide, by Ralph Tiner. Rutgers, 2005. Descriptions of various kinds of wetlands and the types of conditions and communities associated with each.

Special Interest Subjects

Books

• Mushrooms of Northeast North America: Midwest to New England, by George Barron. Partners, 2016. Descriptions and color photos of various mushrooms and related fungi. Limited to Northeast North America.
• Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Mushrooms, by Gary H. Lincoff. Touchstone, 1982. Descriptions and color photos of various mushrooms and related fungi.
• The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wolhleben. William Collins, 2017. The forest as a social network. Trees, what they feel, how they communicate.
• Raising Butterflies and Moths in the Garden, by Brenda Dziedzic. Firefly, 2023.
• The Humane Gardner: Nuturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife, by Nancy Lawson. Princeton Architectural Press, 2017. In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards.
• Tracks & Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates: A Guide to North American Species, by Noah Charney and Charley Eiseman. Stackpole, 2010.

Youth

Books

• And Then It’s Spring, by Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook, 2012.
• In The Tall, Tall Grass, by Denise Fleming. Henry Holt, 1991.
• On Meadowview Street, by Henry Cole. Greenwillow, 2007. Caroline lives on Meadowview St. But where’s the meadow? Where’s the view? There’s nothing growing in her front yard except grass. Then she spots a flower, a butterfly & a bird…
• Plant a Pocket of Prairie, by Phyllis Root and Betsy Bowen. University of Minnesota, 2014.
• Shanleya’s Quest: A Botany Adventure for Kids Age 9 to 99, by Thomas J. Elpel. HOPS Press, 2005. A book and card game. Identifying plant patterns. Excellent for 8-13 yr olds.
• Ten Little Caterpillars, by Bill Martin, Jr. and Lois Ehlert. Beach Lane, 2011. In this attractive counting book with a scientific flair, 10 little caterpillars creep and crawl through gardens, vegetable patches, and apple orchards…
• The Butterfly Ball, by Kathryn Trainor. Milkbarn.
• The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown. Little, Brown, 2009. This New York Times bestselling modern classic explores the perennial topic of environmentalism in an urban world.
• The Puddle Garden, by Jared Rosenbaum and Laura Rosenbaum. Wild Ridge, 2015.

Native Plant Landscape Services

• Dropseed! Native Gardens and Ecological Restoration. Mike Weis, owner. Native landscape design, installation, and restoration. Email: [email protected] (773) 858-5729.
• Kalamazoo Nature Center Ecological Services. Stephanie Diep, Conservation analyst. Native landscape restoration and installation. Email: [email protected] (269) 978-6872.
• The Garden Guru, LLC, Rockford, MI. Alysia Babcock, owner. Native plant sales by appointment. Design, installation, garden makeovers and maintenance. Also check social media/website for sale dates. Email: [email protected] 269-208-3401.
• Wildscapes, LLC, Climax, MI. George Wise, owner. Land restoration, land management and garden design services. Special expertise in shoreline projects. Email: [email protected] (269) 207-8966.

Native Plant Nurseries

• Bee Friendly Nursery, Kalamazoo, MI. Noelle Caswell, owner. Bee Friendly Nursery is a small native plant nursery located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our goal is to provide healthy native plant species to gardeners who wish to preserve and aid in restoring native habitats. 8341 N. 12th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 732-236-9175.
• Hidden Savanna Nursery, Kalamazoo, MI. Chad Hughson, owner. Hidden Savanna specializes in plants whose origins are genotypes native to Southwest Michigan. 18 N Van Kal St Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 352-3876 [email protected].
• Native Connections, Kalamazoo, MI. Jared Foster, owner. Native Seed for Landscaping Restoration Conservation. 3815 N. Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49004 269-459-6900 [email protected].
• Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN. Mail Order Native seeds, potted plants, and bare root plants. 32115 Prairie Lane Winona, MN 55987.
• Wildtype Native Plants & Environmental Services, Mason, MI. William Schneider, owner. Established in 1996, we have specialized in growing plants native to Michigan, from Michigan genotypes. 900 N. Every Rd. Mason, Mi 48854 517-244-1140 [email protected].

Organizational Resources

• Journey North Citizen Science Project. Journey North is one of North America’s premiere citizen science programs for people of all ages. The project has over 60,000 registered sites in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Reported sightings are mapped in real-time as waves of migrations move across the continent. Real time migration-tracking of Monarchs, Hummingbirds, Robins, Orioles and others.
• Monarch Joint Venture. Extensive downloadable information.
• Monarch Larva Monitoring Project. The Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) involves volunteers from across North America and New Zealand in monarch research to collect long-term data on larval monarch populations and milkweed habitat. The project focuses on monarch distribution and abundance during the breeding season.
• Monarch Watch.
• Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones. Local chapter of Wild Ones. Chapter vision is to restore and sustain biodiversity through education and the practice of landscaping with native plants. Hold informational meetings; outreach; field trips; native plant sales and free exchanges. Website has extensive resource list.
• Portage District Library. Native plant seed library – a source of native plant seeds donated by local residents, gardening books, and links to other resources.
• W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. The mission of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, or KBS, is to increase our understanding of natural and managed ecosystems and their linkages to society.
• The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. This is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. Information on Pollinator Conservation Program; Endangered Species Preservation; Reducing Pesticide Use & Impacts. Includes numerous YouTube videos, books & pamphlets. Xerces YouTube Channel.