Transforming a yard with native plants attracts bees, butterflies, and birds, but what about toads? Discover how adding a pond and hiding spots finally brought toads to the garden. Learn tips to create a toad-friendly habitat, enhancing biodiversity and natural pest control. Read on for more! Continue reading "TOADally perfect: How to create toad habitat in your yard "
April 21 through April 27, 2024, is National Volunteer Week – a celebration recognizing the profound impact of volunteers. This week emphasizes the spirit of collective effort and the personal benefits of volunteering, such as developing friendships and broadening a network of like-minded individuals, educational opportunities, physical exercise, and mental well-being- all while preserving biodiversity […] Continue reading "Rooted in Action: Celebrating Wild Ones Volunteers"
From a database of 37,000 monarch garden names, we learned what ideas and concepts people have about monarch gardens. Gardens were often named after the place they were located, family members, animals, or mortality. Beyond being creative and pun-filled, garden names provide an insight into how people connect with their gardens and monarch conservation. Continue reading "What’s in a name? Looking at the creative names gardeners give waystations."
The Native Plants: Healthy Planet & Healthy People series explores the importance of strengthening biodiversity resilience by protecting and restoring native plants and natural landscapes. This series seeks to channel biodiversity through a healthcare lens and examine its relationship with human chronic, acute, and mental health. If more people understand how entwined biodiversity is with human health, perhaps policy-makers will take biodiversity resilience more seriously. Continue reading "Mitigation of Chronic Health"
Celebrating a landmark achievement, Wild Ones has now united over 10,000 members in a shared mission to cultivate healthier ecosystems through native plants. This journey, from its inception to its pivotal role in the environmental movement, underscores the growing public commitment to ecological stewardship. The organization's evolution—fueled by educational initiatives, the rising tide of environmental consciousness, and a community-driven response to global challenges—reflects a profound shift towards sustainability. As Wild Ones continues to expand its reach and impact, this milestone is a testament to the collective commitment to a world where native plants and natural landscapes thrive in every community. Continue reading "Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow"
Explore the latest in native plant conservation with the latest Native Plant News. Learn about field pansies' adaptation to pollinator declines, pollinators' preference for native plants over nativars, the implications of updated USDA plant hardiness zones, and Colorado pollinator health. Discover initiatives like the Illinois Buckthorn Bounty and the $18 million investment in native seed supplies. This update offers essential insights for action in native plant and pollinator conservation. Get informed and make an impact. Continue reading "February 2024 Native Plant News"
Controlling invasive plants may seem like a thankless task, but it is essential for the well-being of our ecosystems. The techniques and timing for eradicating weeds and invasive plants vary according to species. Conducting research, whether through online searches, reviewing gardening guides, or consulting with fellow gardeners, is crucial to find the best removal strategies […] Continue reading "Ecological Control of Invasive Plant Species"
In the realm of environmental stewardship, few voices resonate as passionately as Lorraine Johnson‘s. With three decades dedicated to researching and writing about environmental issues, Johnson is not only an accomplished author and community activist but also a fervent advocate for protecting and expanding the urban forest. Join us as we catch up with former […] Continue reading "Catching up with former Wild Ones Honorary Director Lorraine Johnson "
