Since 1972, it has been a work in progress. But in that time Ken and Judy Sikora, of Howard, Wisconsin, have transformed their yard once filled mainly with grass into a private nature preserve. Continue reading "Member Garden: Ken and Judy Sikora"
You can easily grow native elderberry (Sambucus L. ssp. canadensis) in semi-shaded areas with moist loam or clay soils, or in rain gardens. Their wild habitat is floodplains, shorelines and edges of swampy woods. Continue reading "Native Elderberry"
Starting from scratch took on new meaning for Kathy McDonald when she downsized and moved to an older home five years ago. Continue reading "Member Garden: Kathy McDonald"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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?"
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)"