The Ann Arbor Farm and Garden Association will revisit a private gar- den featured in the June 2010 Garden Walk in order to witness its transition into autumn. The Fall Garden Walk will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Sun- day, Sept. 19 at 5400 North Meadow Court. Late summer hydrangeas, viburnums, goldenrods and grass of all shapes and sizes will be featured in the garden. A group of 25 local artists will be dis- playing and selling their artistic interpretations of the garden from the June Garden Walk, and select artists will be painting on site. $5. For more information, e-mail sbklaas@gmail.com or visit www.annarborfarmandgarden.org

As we’ve all been bombarded by horrific images of the Gulf oil spill this summer, it’s impossible to forget how important and fragile our nation’s watery ecosystems are. Our region’s Great Lakes are among the most precious resources we have, and proposed Great Lakes Ecosystem Protection Act of 2010, is a key chance to make big progress in protecting them. The bill, according to Environment Michigan, a citizen-based environmental advocacy group  would provide an infusion of new resources, and the cooperation we need to stop Asian carp, clean up toxic hot spots, prevent runoff pollution, and clean up sewage in our water. Environment Michigan is urging everyone to contact their members of Congress to insure the bill’s passage. See                      www.environmentmichigan.org for more information. 

Michigan’s natural beauty is unquestioned, but in a world of constant human presence, it requires constant protection. This is the work done by groups like the Nature Conservancy, and celebrated in the newly released book Michigan: Our Land, Our Water, Our Heritage, a beautifully illustrated celebration of the natural treasures of the state protected by the Nature Conservancy. Edited by John Knott, Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Michigan, and featuring essays by nine Michigan authors and gorgeous photographs by well-known Michigan photographers. It is published by the University of Michigan Press, and retails for $35. www.press.umich.edu.

Raking season may not yet be upon us, but as the foliage continues to grow in Tree Town, it’s a reminder that falling leaves are just a few months away. The city of Ann Arbor is ready to help with the dried leaf damage, offering residents an opportunity to order a compost cart for a one-time fee of $25 when ordered by July 30. The pre-paid carts will be home-delivered starting in mid-September, just in time to roll compostable items to the yard before Compostable Pickup ends in November. Compost carts are $25 for a 32-, 64- or 96-gallon size. Additional carts may be pre-ordered to be delivered to the same address for $50 each. Order by phone (734-994-7336 ext. 0), in person (220 E. Huron) or online (www.a2gov.org/compost). For more information, visit www.a2gov.org.