For 25 years, volunteers have helped rescue wildflowers and native plants, cultivating community and nurturing biodiversity in Leelanau’s woodlands.
Every spring in Leelanau County, a group of dedicated volunteers quietly works to preserve the region’s native spring ephemerals and plants. Founded by Patty Shea and Joanie Woods, Wildflower Rescue emerged from a deep love for the local landscape and a desire to protect it from increasing development. This year we’re proud to share that the group has been rescuing plants for 25 years. Kerry Satterwhite, daughter of Patty Shea, reflects on her mother’s journey and the evolution of Wildflower Rescue over the years. “She got this started when I was a little girl,” Kerry shares.
The roots of Wildflower Rescue trace back to Cranbrook House and Gardens, part of Cranbrook Educational Community located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan that includes a renowned art museum, a graduate program for arts and sciences, a nature center, and the beautifully landscaped gardens of founder George Booth’s home. It’s a place close to Patty’s heart. Inspired by the success of the volunteers at Cranbrook Gardens, Patty and Joanie initiated rescue efforts in Leelanau to salvage native plants and wildflowers from sites slated for development. Their mission quickly gained momentum, evolving into a collaborative effort with the Conservancy. “I didn’t know a lot about native plants at the time,” says Joanie. “But Patty had done this kind of work at Cranbrook, and I was on the Conservancy board. When she moved up here full time she said, ‘I think we should start this kind of work up here. I’ll teach you what to do and let’s go dig.’ All of a sudden, we’re up on Whaleback where a road is about to go in, and she’s pointing stuff out and I’m digging it up.”
The work of Wildflower Rescue extends beyond simple preservation. It’s about education, community, and a deep appreciation for the intricate beauty of nature. Each rescue is meticulously planned and executed, following a process honed over decades to ensure the survival of transplanted flora. “It’s hands-on in the woods,” Kerry explains. “You learn how to spot these plants coming up when they’re just barely out of the ground. It’s like a treasure hunt, and it’s just so beautiful to be in nature.”
The camaraderie among Wildflower Rescue volunteers is strong. Despite the solitary nature of digging in the woods, there’s a sense of shared purpose and joy in each rescue mission. “It’s really fun and addictive,” Kerry remarks. “There’s a meditative quality to the whole thing.”
The initial rescue program that started at Cranbrook was recognized nationally for its pioneering efforts in publications like House Beautiful and Organic Gardening. Yet, for Patty, the essence of the work remains deeply personal—preserving native plants preserves biodiversity. As Wildflower Rescue celebrates its 25th year, the work continues to inspire. This year’s Wildflower Rescue Sale rescued thousands of vulnerable plants and made record profits, which help pay for upkeep of the Village Green and other Conservancy properties. About $518,000 has been raised since the program’s inception.
At the top of Joanie’s mind is WFR’s future. “I think the hardest thing for us as a group is to find sites and have people contact us before the bulldozer gets there. We need more people to think of us when they’re getting ready to build, we’re in and out in an hour or hour and a half,” Joanie says.
If you’re inspired by the work of Wildflower Rescue and want to get involved or suggest a dig site, please reach out. Digs begin in early spring and last through most of May. Rescued plants are sold at an annual sale on the Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. You can reach out to Event and Volunteer Manager Lindy Kellogg at lkellogg@leelanauconservancy.org to learn more about how you can contribute.
