Sky Walk Docents – Michigan Volunteers

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Hidden Lake Gardens

Environmental Stewardship: Animals, Conservation – land use

6214 W Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI 49287

Phone (517) 431 - 2060

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Our mission	To maintain and improve Hidden Lake Gardens for the benefit and education of the public.To instill an appreciation of plants, gardens, landscapes and the natural environment for students, educators, the public, and to professionals of various disciplines.

Opportunities	Gate House Attendants Greet visitors, provide information, and collect admissions. Volunteers are needed weekdays from April to October. Weekly Adults Individuals Indoor, Outdoor Formal Weekdays, Weekends Gardeners, Grounds, and Conservatory Helpers Work with staff and other volunteers to help maintain plant collections, demonstration gardens, greenhouse displays, and hiking trails. Occasional, Monthly Adults Individuals Physical, Outdoor On-site Weekdays, Weekends Sky Walk Docents Greet visitors, provide information, and monitor visitor safety. Weekly, Monthly Adults Individuals Outdoor Formal Weekdays, Weekends Tour Guides We train volunteers to provide educational tours for children and adults. Tours focus on the conservatory, nature hike, ponding, and other seasonal attractions at Hidden Lake Gardens. Weekly, Monthly Adults Individuals Outdoor Formal Weekdays, Weekends Special Events Assist with seasonal special events. We need volunteers to greet visitors, serve refreshments, guide children’s crafts, sell plants, and more. Occasional Adults Groups (2-10) Event support None, On-site Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends

About us	Hidden Lake Gardens was donated to Michigan State University (then Michigan State College) in 1945 by Harry A. Fee, an Adrian businessman. He had always dreamed of owning a lake, and, upon his retirement in 1926, he purchased Hidden Lake along with 200 acres of land surrounding it. He repaired and refurbished the old farmhouse, built a greenhouse, and began farming. He soon realized that the land was not suitable for conventional farming or raising livestock, and so he began to grow nursery stock. Not wanting to compete with local nurseries during the depression, he planted the stock on his own land in an effort to create a “series of pictures,” a philosophy that we continue to strive for today. Mr. Fee described Hidden Lake Gardens as a “dream as you go development”. He built a road in from Hwy. 50 and landscaped it with a shrub and perennial border. The lake was cleaned out, and a small pond and rock garden were constructed.