FERNWOOD NOTES
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A
s we step into a new year, I want to begin by recognizing everyone who gave their time, talents, and resources to in 2025. Thank you to our volunteers, donors, sponsors, daily guests, members, board, and staff. We had a successful year at Fernwood with increased attendance, significant garden and preserve care, thoughtful programming, and support from the Fernwood community. We truly could not have done it without you.
The quiet months of winter are a time for reflection and planning. Behind the scenes, our team has been busy preparing for a vibrant and productive season ahead. We have reviewed last year’s successes and challenges to help shape a strong 2026, so we can continue to move Fernwood forward and increase our impact on the community and guests of all ages.
“This season is about renewal, not just of the soil and plants, but of our shared commitment to having an impact.”
A glimpse of what we are working on includes rolling out our new strategic plan later in the year. This roadmap will align our vision with action and help set Fernwood up for continued success in the years ahead. Continuing our strong educational offerings, including favorites such as the Edible Horticulture event and Herbal Spring Symposium, and making preparations for fun events, including the annual Spring Garden Market, the Garden Party, and even the next LIGHTS display.
While we move through these winter months and patiently (or not-so-patiently) wait for the green season, I hope you will engage with and visit Fernwood often. It is a perfect time for a walk in the fresh, crisp air, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, participating in a class or event, renewing your membership to access all the membership benefits, or signing up to volunteer.
This season is about renewal, not just of the soil and plants, but of our shared commitment to having an impact. I look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming new ones as we cultivate another beautiful year together.
Wishing you all the best in the year ahead,
Mary Krinock, Executive Director
A final note, as you can see, this season’s newsletter is being sent electronically. It is designed to keep you informed and inspired, wherever you are, while supporting efforts to reach as many people as possible and to use our resources thoughtfully. Please feel free to share it with your friends, family, neighbors, or others.
THE HAPPENINGS SPRING
WINTER WARM UP
JANUARY 6–FEBRUARY 28
Winter is nature’s reminder to slow down for a while. After the holiday celebrations come to a close, we all need a moment to appreciate the calm and quiet.
Through February, Fernwood will offer additional indoor activities, in addition to the libraries and birdwatching that are available year-round. The Sims Education Center will have tables set up daily, with a selection of puzzles and coloring pages to enjoy.
The Clark Gallery in the Visitors Center will have cozy seating where visitors with cabin fever can socialize or simply sit and enjoy a book for a while.
Those who brave Michigan’s winter and enjoy a staff-recommended garden walk will enjoy 15% OFF their breakfast or lunch at The Grateful Pie Company. The café will be open 11 am–3 pm until March. Be sure to mention the “winter warm-up” discount.
Follow us on social media to stay updated on other offerings throughout the season, including select days when we will have our fire pits burning, so you can sit outdoors and enjoy free hot cocoa or tea.
KIDS FREE FEBRUARY
General Admission is waived for children ages 12 and under for the entire month of February! This is a great opportunity to get out of the house and explore. Adult admission rates still apply.
SNOWSHOE RENTAL $4/PAIR DURING OPERATING HOURS
Looking for a way to get out in nature this winter? Rent a pair of snowshoes at the Visitors Center! For just $4 per pair, you can explore a specially marked trail in the maple-beech forest or hike up to the meadow and tallgrass prairie. We have snowshoes for both children and adults, and this new offering is available for members and visitors alike.
Winter at Fernwood is a beautiful time of year. We hope you can come out and enjoy a snowshoe hike before spring arrives.
BIRD OF THE MONTH: BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE
e invite you to explore the gardens and preserve to find a different featured bird each month, starting with the Black-capped Chickadee, a favorite at Fernwood.
The chickadee has an oversized, round head and itty bitty body, which makes it almost universally “the cutest”. They can also be identified by their black cap and bib and puffy white cheeks.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SPRING BREAK SERVICE
LEARNING: MARCH 31–APRIL 1, 10:30 AM–4:30 PM
High school students can earn 12 hours of service by donating their time to Fernwood. Students will learn conservation techniques for lawn maintenance, invasive species management, and best practices to support local wildlife. The program will include yard work in the garden and preserve, hiking to search for earlyspring wildflowers, and learning about Fernwood’s Eastern Bluebird program. Audience: High school students and young adults.
Registration Deadline: March 27
NATURE’S HELPERS VOLUNTEER DAY: BIRD HABITAT REBUILD APRIL 18 1–3 PM
Join us in creating a garden for our feathered friends! We will be planting native forbs and shrubs to provide food and a perfect habitat for the birds we cherish. The garden will be located just outside the fauna wing at the education center. Once completed, this project will enhance bird watching opportunities!
Sign up today to help us create a healthy habitat for birds and a beautiful garden for all to enjoy.
Additionally, join us each month for a different conservation project focused on habitat restoration or invasive species removal. Audience: All ages welcome
Registration Deadline: April 16
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
FEBRUARY 26, 4:30–6 PM OR FEBRUARY 28, 11 AM–12:30 PM
Fernwood is ready to bring on new volunteers! Join us at a February orientation session to learn more about the Railway Garden and Sims Education Center, and Library Ambassador opportunities. Both of these roles offer a chance to learn about Fernwood, connect with the community, and make a difference at your local public garden. Fernwood offers volunteer opportunities for individuals of all ages, skill levels, and abilities. We encourage anyone interested in volunteering to register online or email cmoeller@fernwoodbotanical.org with any questions. Registration Deadline: February 22
Did you know that Black-capped Chickadees save seeds by hiding them? They can remember thousands of different stow-away-stations, which they will return to when they need a snack during times when food is harder to find. These songbirds will stay at Fernwood year-round, taking advantage of our winter feeders and keeping warm in tree cavities that they built, or perhaps a pre-existing space thanks to a woodpecker’s foraging efforts.
If you see a Black-capped Chickadee at Fernwood in February, you have an opportunity to win a mini pie! Enter your name to be randomly selected at the end of the month. Visit Fernwood regularly to find each Bird of the Month throughout the year and learn more about their habitat, migration patterns, how they benefit the environment, and more fun facts.
Binocular rentals are available for $2 per pair at the Visitors Center. One free binocular rental per visit is an added benefit for Fernwood Members.
FERNWOOD GARDEN PARTY
SPEND AN ENCHANTING AFTERNOON AT FERNWOOD at our annual Garden Party fundraiser on Sunday, June 14, from 2–5 pm. Eat delicious food, refresh yourself with a cool beverage, and stroll the grounds. Stop by the new Winter House Garden to visit part of Fernwood’s past with a nod to the future. Support Fernwood by participating in our silent and live auctions. Lots of surprises are in store, so don’t miss it. Tickets will go on sale May 1.
PROGRAMS
U.N. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN & GIRLS IN SCIENCE CELEBRATION
FEBRUARY 7, 1-2:30 PM
GUIDED NATURE HIKE: 1:45–2:30 PM
Celebrate incredible women scientists with a special storytime, craft, and interpretive nature hike. Enjoy a cup of free hot cocoa and enter to win one of our featured picture books. Join anytime. All are welcome! Free with admission
PLANT LOVE!
FEBRUARY 8, 1–2:30 PM
Do you know where baby plants come from? In this program, we’ll dive into the anatomy and adaptations of a variety of plants to understand how they reproduce. Participants will experiment with germinating fern spores and create one-of-a-kind, plant-themed Valentine’s Day cards to take home and share.
$20 ($16 members)
GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
FEBRUARY 14, HOURLY HIKES, 8–11 AM
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual worldwide event to engage bird watchers of all ages in community science to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Sign up for one or more of our hourly hikes to learn about and assist in identifying birds along one of our nature preserve routes. Free
THE GENTLE ART OF HYGGE
MARCH 7, 1-3 PM
Experience an afternoon indulging in the Danish practice of “hygge,” meaning cozy or comfort. Enjoy a guided hike through our nature trails, where we’ll make stops along the way to read poetry and gather natural materials for tea and craftmaking. Glendora Bookshop will be on site with a selection of cozy publications to explore in Fernwood’s candlelit library. $20 ($16 members)
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPENS! MARCH 14, 9 AM
For kids who love to explore, investigate, reflect, and play in nature, there’s no better place than Fernwood! Our summer day camps offer a beautiful and safe environment for children to enhance their connection to the natural world, while broadening their understanding of the role they play within it. Visit our website to learn more and to register!
MARVELOUS MAPLE SUGARING
MARCH 21, 1-4 PM
Discover the sweet world of maple tree tapping! In this program you’ll learn about historic and modern maple sugaring methods, tree identification/biology, and how to set up a tapping system in your own backyard. Attendees will enjoy a brief hike, a syrup-processing demonstration by the fire, and free syrup tasting! $30 ($24 members)
EDIBLE HORTICULTURE
GET A TASTE OF MICHIANA’S THRIVING FOOD SCENE at this special Fernwood event that brings together chefs, farmers, and gardeners from across our region. See what’s cooking behind the scenes as they share their passion for growing local communities, crops, and sustainable practices. Enjoy a delicious lunch from the Grateful Pie Company and explore the exhibitors’ hall, featuring a curated selection of local food businesses and organizations showcasing their expertise, products, and services. $60 ($48 members) Register by February 25.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
TARA NEWMAN
Owner at The Culinary Cottage, Saint Joseph, MI
Experience a live pasta making demonstration as you hear how a passion for teaching led a trained Chef and KitchenAid Recipe Crafter to open a cooking school that inspires confidence, connection, and community in the kitchen.
MOLLY MUCHOW
Farm Manager at Verdant Hollow Farms, Buchanan, MI
Find out how and why three city dwellers created a thriving regenerative farm and creamery in the heart of Southwest Michigan focused on holistic practices, animal welfare, and the willingness to get their hands dirty.
PAULA CAMP
Owner at Carriage House Ciders, Benton Harbor, MI
Learn how a former Chicago Tribune restaurant critic’s interview with Jacques Pépin sparked a love for European-style ciders and led to the transformation of a 137-year-old carriage house into a modern-day craft cidery.
Doors open at 9:30 am. Lunch will be provided by The Grateful Pie Company at Fernwood. Special thanks to our event sponsor, Edible Michiana.
RIVERSIDE & ROADSIDE CLEANUP
APRIL 18, 10–11:30 AM
Celebrate Earth Month by making a difference in the health and beauty of our local waterways and roadsides. Volunteers will meet at the Visitors Center and be assigned cleanup locations across Fernwood’s 105-acre property. Volunteers receive free admission plus free drinks and snacks! See website for registration details.
EPHEMERAL FAVORITES: NATIVE WILDFLOWER WALK
APRIL 18, 12:30–1:30 PM
Fernwood is a wonderland of native ephemeral wildflowers! Discover their beauty and bounty in this engaging tour. You’ll learn how to locate and identify numerous species, where to acquire native plants and seeds, and tips on how to incorporate them into your own home landscape. Free with admission
YOUTH CHALK ART CONTEST
APRIL 18, 2–4:30 PM
Express yourself and share all the ways you care for the earth by registering for Fernwood’s Earth Month Youth Chalk Art Contest! Each participant will be entered in a raffle for the chance to win a Fernwood Family Membership!
This year’s theme: “A Bird’s-Eye View!” Age group: Grades K-12 Free with admission
NOTEWORTHY TREES TOUR
APRIL 25, 1–2 PM
Join us for an interpretive walking tour where you’ll learn all about Fernwood’s incredible array of tree species, plus how to select and care for trees in your own backyard. Free with admission
CEREMONIAL TREE PLANTING
APRIL 25, 2:30–3:30 PM
Each year, Fernwood invites visitors to participate in a special tree planting ceremony to celebrate these lifesustaining wonders of nature. Help make a difference while picking up tips on how to successfully add trees to your own home landscape. Free with admission
Spring Garden Market
Fernwood’s Spring Garden Market is making its return on Saturday, May 2, from 10 am–3 pm. The Market will feature an outstanding mix of local vendors specializing in unique, artfully grown plant material and hand-crafted artwork for the garden. As in years past, Fernwood will offer a wide array of plants to spruce up your garden for Spring and Summer. Experts will be on-hand to assist with questions and growing tips. The Market will be open exclusively to Fernwood Members from 8:30–10 am. Free with admission.
HERBAL SPRING SYMPOSIUM
APRIL
11, 9 AM–3:30 PM
JOIN US FOR A DAY OF BOTANICAL ADVENTURE, AS WE EXPLORE THE HERBS AND SPICES OF INDIAN, ITALIAN, AND MEXICAN CUISINE.
Three local chefs will inspire us with their personal tales and share how they use herbs and spices to honor their culinary heritage. Plus, we’ll take a deep dive into the International Herb of the Year: Turmeric. Come experience a wonderful array of worldly flavors, and leave with the knowledge and understanding to continue exploring in your own kitchen! $80 ($64 members) Register by April 8.
HERBS & SPICES OF INDIA, THIRJANI KANTAREDDY
OWNER & CHEF AT KT ‘S RASOI INDIAN CUISINE, ST. JOSEPH, MI
ADMISSION INCLUDES: Morning refreshments, 4 herbal education sessions, an herb-forward lunch by The
and exhibitor hall, tours of the Fernwood Herb and Sensory Garden
Thrijani’s southern Indian food has been described as ‘tantalizing and unforgettable’. Her presentation will take us on a culinary tour that showcases the key spices and herbs used in her cooking, and highlights the regional differences in Indian cuisine.
HERBS & SPICES OF ITALY, STEVE ZIEVERINK
OWNER & CHEF AT EMMA HEARTH & MARKET, BRIDGMAN, MI
Inspired by his grandmother, Nona Emma, Steve’s southern Italian menu integrates herbs and spices into seasonal farm offerings. Through stories, tastes, and banter, Steve will take us on a journey through his wild ways of growing, harvesting, cooking, and preserving the best of Italian herbs.
HERBS & SPICES OF MEXICO, OLIVIA BENITEZ
OWNER & CHEF AT SABROSO MEXICAN FOOD, BENTON HARBOR, MI
Cooking since childhood, Olivia has a lifelong passion for creating outstanding Mexican dishes. After 17 years of professional cooking and training chefs, she now presents the Sabroso menu that celebrates spices and herbs from chocolate to chiles. Olivia invites everyone to taste the rich flavors of Mexico!
ALL THINGS TURMERIC, ELAINE FLETCHER-JANZEN
CHAIR PERSON OF THE HERB SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICHIANA UNIT & MICHELLE MCCOSKEY, DIRECTOR
Grateful Pie Company at Fernwood, herb seedling sale, Herbal Market
CONTACT US
269.695.6491
fernwoodbotanical.org
info@fernwoodbotanical.org
GARDEN HOURS
November 10 –February 28
Tuesday–Sunday, 11 am –4 pm
Beginning March 1:
Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
CAFÉ HOURS
The Grateful Pie Company at Fernwood
Tuesday–Sunday, 11 am–3 pm
Beginning March 1: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mary Krinock
FERNWOOD STAFF
Kathy DeVine
Jonathon Hensley
Char Krause
Jamie Kubiak
Linda Lofstrom
Michelle McCoskey
Rick Miller
Cala Moeller
Stephanie Powers
Edwin Stephenson
Elaine Rowland
Hannah Wetmore
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tracy Dippo, Chair
Peg Kohring Cichon, Secretary
Michele Sullivan Treasurer
Becky Frederick
Matt Hollander
Gary Lamberti
Barbara Low
Jean McManus
Sandy Schneider
Marge Spears
Pat Yuzawa-Rubin
LIGHTS AT FERNWOOD WAS A BRILLIANT SUCCESS!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED OUR 22-NIGHT SHOW. As Fernwood’s brightest annual fundraiser, LIGHTS brought thousands together to experience the magic of winter nights in the garden.
Thank you to our incredible staff and volunteers who made this event possible. We were delighted to feature talented musicians including Tim Andrews, the Harbor Country Singers, and Hank Nelson, along with our special visitor from the north, Father Winter!
Thank you to everyone who came to LIGHTS to create magical memories with loved ones. From all of us at Fernwood Botanical Garden, we’re grateful for your belief in this event, our mission, and the power of bringing light to the winter season.
THANK YOU SPONSORS
Your support transformed Fernwood into a place of wonder, warmth, and connection — a space where families, friends, and neighbors gathered to experience the magic of the season together. Simply put, LIGHTS at Fernwood would not be possible without you. We’re deeply grateful for your partnership and look forward to creating more moments of beauty and joy in the seasons ahead.
2025 LIGHTS SPONSORS
Logistick
Fernwood Board of Directors
Indiana Michigan Power Foundation
The Low Family Foundation
The McManus & McGreevy Family
The Sims Family
McCarty Well Drilling
Tyler Automotive
State Farm— Tom Rossman
Visit Southwest Michigan
Pat Yuzawa-Rubin
Camden Appliance
10,935 LIGHTS BY THE NUMBERS
9
10
Charlie Dwan
Tom & Mark Ferguson Gomez
Honor Credit Union
Kruegers Septic Service
Vicki McAskin
Midwest Energy and Communication
Julie Moeller
Olson Electric
Ramer Products
Sandy Schneider
Maureen Culp—Re/Max Harbor Country CUPS OF HOT COCOA NIGHTS SOLD OUT
2,581 LIGHTS VISITORS
1416.5 VOLUNTEER HOURS ❤ ❤