Water Week: Waterway Relatives with Dr. Selena Smith

Event Summary

Date(s): Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm
Venue: Matthaei Botanical Gardens
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Event Description

We all depend on healthy waterways. When we consider waterways and the complex interdependencies between human and non-human beings, we build understanding and relationships with place. Selena Smith, Associate Professor from U-M’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Program in the Environment (PitE), will discuss the human and non-human interdependencies and relationships of resilient waterway systems through the lens of braided western and Indigenous knowledges. Selena will also touch on the “Meet the Mnomen” project, restoring wild rice to Willow Pond. Participants will explore the plants and animals of Willow Pond, learn how we monitor the water quality, and will get to see some of the aquatic organisms that share relationships with Mnomen/Manoomin.

The program starts at 4:30pm All ages are welcome. Participants will explore water sampling trays to look for aquatic organisms. Please dress for a short outdoor walk.

Water Week Activities

	Date/Time	Event
💙🆓	August 23 1:00pm-2:30pm	Water Week: The First Story of Water - The Anishnaabek Story at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 24 5:00pm-6:30pm	Water Week: Storytelling in the Garden, The New Anishnaabek Signs at Willow Pond at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 25 10:00am-11:30am	Water Week: Nature Play Pop-Up: Floating and Boating at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 25 4:30pm-6:00pm	Water Week: Waterway Relatives with Dr. Selena Smith at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 26 5:00pm-6:30pm	Water Week: The Line 5 Oil Pipeline Debate - Implications for Water, Indigenous, and States' Rights at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 26 5:30pm-7:00pm	Water Week: Nature Play Pop-Up: Floating and Boating at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 27 10:00am-8:00pm	Water Week: Great Lakes Pop-Up with CIGLR at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 27 5:00pm-6:30pm	Water Week: Water Wander - Healthy Waterways at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 28 5:00pm-6:30pm	Water Week: Kids, Fish, and Streams at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 29 11:00am-12:00pm	Water Week: The Line 5 Oil Pipeline Debate - Implications for Water, Indigenous, and States' Rights at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan

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Event Details