Supporter Spotlight: Jessica Gregory

Featured Plant: Sumac

by Bobbi Jones Sabine

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is ubiquitous along Michigan’s roadsides in summer. The fuzzy red fruiting body and its leaves resembling a giant prehistoric fern make it easily identifiable, even at 70 miles per hour. We really notice it in the fall when the leaves turn and the whole plant becomes a bright red indicator of the changing season. It’s found throughout the state.

But did you know Michigan has four other native sumacs?
- Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is mostly in the southern lower peninsula, except for Drummond Island. Usually less than a meter tall, its flower is much sparser and less showy than staghorn.
- Shining sumac (Rhus copallina) is restricted to the west coast and the southern counties. As you might expect, the leaves are...shiny. The fruiting body has a more loose, plume-like appearance.
- Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is found everywhere from the Keweenaw Peninsula to Monroe County. It may hybridize with staghorn and is similar in appearance.
- Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is the black sheep of the family. Though not a Rhus, it is also in the family Anacardiaceae. It has a more sprawling habit, and the sparse flower plumes are held lower on the plant instead of on top.

Photo credit: U of M Herbarium, J. Kelly photo

Breakfast/Lunch at the Park

Thanks to our supporters this year's annual Breakfast/Lunch at the Park was a great success! We raised over $70,000 for Ottawa County Parks.  

Thank you to our sponsors!

Thanks to our sponsors, 100% of the proceeds from the events will go to support our mission!

There is still an opportunity to donate if you missed the event. 

A special thank you to our sponsors:

The Crane Family Fund in Memory of Marilyn J. Crane

Leadership Sponsors

Baird Private Wealth Management

Dr. Barbara Brown and Linda McAffrey

Community Sponsors

Grand Valley State University

Grand Wealth Management

Haworth Helps

Macatawa Bank

Peterson Environmental

Prein and Newhof

Scholten Fant

Scott Aerator

Tim and Jane Stoepker

Virdis Design Group

Friend Sponsors

Kennari Consulting

My Subaru of Muskegon