2015 post conference tour will extend over 3 days and 2 nights, and will take us to some excellent native landscapes along the South Lake Michigan region of Indiana and Michigan. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is home to Cowles Bog and Pinhook Bog. Cowles Bog is actually a fen in the dunes while Pinhook Bog is an acid bog that is unique in the region. Black oak is the dominant oak in this area along with some red oak, white oak, and Hill's oak. In Southwest Michigan, Warren Woods is the last remaining untouched beech/maple forest in this part of the country. IOS member Doug Bidlack has been doing research there and will share his expertise here. Fernwood Botanic Garden will be host for lunch Friday, with time to enjoy some unique plant communities along the St. Joseph River. Other places to visit include Jasper/Pulaski Fish and Wildlife to see black oak sand hills next to white and pin oak swamps, Art Davis' home with a magnificent unknown oak hybrid (we get to determine the cross), and Taltree Arboretum & Gardens that features Q. ×leana, Hill's Oak, shingle oak, and more.  Our first evening will be in New Buffalo, Michigan, along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It is a great place to relax and stroll along the beach in October. The tour is limited to 50 people so plan to sign up early to reserve your place.