News

The Words of Aldo Leopold Never Grow Old

Posted on Jan 5th, 2017Jan 6, 2025 | General

Few voices in conservation have left as lasting an impact as Aldo Leopold. Known as a pioneer of modern wildlife ecology and land ethics, Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac continues to inspire those passionate about preserving and restoring the natural world. This timeless classic serves as a reminder of our responsibility to live in harmony with the land. Celebrate Leopold’s legacy by exploring his reflections on conservation and learning how to build a Leopold Bench – a practical and symbolic piece that embodies his philosophy. Continue reading "The Words of Aldo Leopold Never Grow Old"

Member Garden: Dennis Nagan

Posted on Aug 12th, 2016Oct 8, 2024 | Member Garden

When Dennis Nagan became ill with severe systemic rheumatoid rthritis, he could no longer get to boats or take long drives to north” anymore. So he brought “up north” to his backyard in Appleton, Wisconsin. Continue reading "Member Garden: Dennis Nagan"

Member Garden: Margy and Dan Terpstra

Posted on May 12th, 2016Sep 23, 2024 | Member Garden

In 1979, Margy Terpstra designed a garden for hummingbirds at their first home, hoping to attract the small, colorful bird to their yard. But she got more than hummingbirds. “The more birds I saw in the es, the more I wanted to learn about them,” she recalled. “Dan gave me a good pair of binoculars […] Continue reading "Member Garden: Margy and Dan Terpstra"

A Mystery Explored: Maintaining Biodiversity

Posted on Jan 7th, 2016Oct 7, 2024 | Journal

One of the most critical roles plants play in nature is supporting food webs—that is, all of the animal life as it exists and interacts in our ecosystems; it is in performing this essential ecosystem service that plants introduced from other parts of the Earth, do not measure up to our native species, in serving […] Continue reading "A Mystery Explored: Maintaining Biodiversity"

The End of an Era

Posted on Nov 26th, 2015Sep 26, 2024 | Journal

Some may say that dirt was created when she was born just so she could grow her native plants. I’m not so sure that is true. But what is true is that Donna VanBuecken has a passion for the health of the Earth by planting native habitats. And equally, she loves to share that passion […] Continue reading "The End of an Era"

Neonicotinoid & Insecticides: Where have all the insects gone?

Posted on Aug 30th, 2015Oct 9, 2024 | Journal

Do you remember the bug-spattered car windshields and radiator grills, when you were a kid? After a ride in the country, the insect guts and gore had to be scraped and scrubbed off the windshield. The radiator grill captured larger insects that didn’t bounce off. It was clogged with big, black beetles, mantids, moths and […] Continue reading "Neonicotinoid & Insecticides: Where have all the insects gone?"

The Grapevine (Jan 2015)

Posted on Jan 30th, 2015Aug 31, 2024 | Journal

Ecological Pathways: Poisonous Slugs No-till farming (not plowing and harrowing and disking the land frequently), benefits field and forage crop production by reducing soil erosion, Garden Slug conserving water (if irrigation is necessary), improving soil health, and reducing fuel and labor costs. It’s generally a ‘good thing’ to do. Neonicotinoids are the most widely used […] Continue reading "The Grapevine (Jan 2015)"

The Grapevine (Sept 2014)

Posted on Sep 30th, 2014Aug 31, 2024 | Journal

Use of Controversial Pesticides Banned in National Wildlife Refuges After facing a series of legal challenges from environmental groups around the country, the United States Forestry Service has issued a memorandum to the effect that by January 2016, it will have phased out use of neonicotinoid pesticides and “genetically engineered crop seeds” on National Wildlife […] Continue reading "The Grapevine (Sept 2014)"

The Grapevine (Nov 2013)

Posted on Nov 30th, 2013Aug 31, 2024 | Journal

Pre-poisoned Plants This is a reiteration of the importance of Mariette Nowak’s article titled “Are ‘Safe’ Pesticides Killing Pollinators”. A few things that have come up since she wrote it. It was recently revealed (Pesticide Research Institute, Pesticide Action Network of North America, Beyond Pesticides) that many “bee friendly” home garden plants sold at Home […] Continue reading "The Grapevine (Nov 2013)"

A Mystery Explored: Specialized Insects All Around Us

Posted on Mar 7th, 2013Oct 7, 2024 | Journal

Most people know that as caterpillars, Monarchs feed exclusively on milkweed leaves. Pretty finicky you might say, but that’s only because a lot less attention is paid to the food choices of other insects. Continue reading "A Mystery Explored: Specialized Insects All Around Us"

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