Beavers settle in Fleming Creek

For the first time since the gardens were founded in 1907, beavers have made a home at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Their dam and lodge can be seen from a trail near the Fleming Creek Overlook.  “I first noticed the signs during a staff walking event on November 1st,”...

From Farm to Pantry: Empowering Students for Food Equity

Born out of the University of Michigan’s commitment to advancing food justice and sustainability and fueled by the dedication of students, two unique student-led food-based initiatives grew and thrived  – Campus Farm and Maize and Blue Cupboard. Both of these...

Elevating a garden in need

A volunteer group is moving boulders to revamp one of Matthaei Botanical Gardens’ unique growing spaces. Marie Azary donated the namesake garden to the botanical gardens in 1985 in order to showcase the art of rock gardening as well as alpine plants from around the...

HarvestFest 2023 Recap

HarvestFest at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum was a resounding success! On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the Campus Farm came alive with the vibrant spirit of sustainability, social justice, and creativity. The event, hosted...

What’s in Bloom: September 1, 2023

Our Great Lakes Garden is awash in yellows and purples of goldenrod and liatris, both of which have been providing many nectaring opportunities for our pollinator friends.   The Herb Knott Garden has blooming allium, dill, and great blue lobelia, to name a few.   The...

Collaboration is the Key To Wasp Success

Cooperation is often valued as the key to success in many human endeavors and now perhaps insect endeavors too, thanks to new research at the University of Michigan. Wasps aren’t the first critters that usually come to mind when one pictures a prosocial insect, but...