It’s that time of year when squirrels are busy digging up yards and gardens. Scientists have estimated that squirrels forget 60-80% of the seeds and nuts they bury, which leads to new plantings. Nuts and pinecones are too large for birds or insects to disperse effectively, so it’s up to squirrels to get them in […] Continue reading "Forgetful Squirrels, Agents of Reforestation"
Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) is a non-native annual grass that poses a significant threat to Wisconsin’s ecosystems. It grows in branching, sprawling mats in forests, streams, trails, ditches, and even lawns. In the eastern and southern US, including Illinois, it’s widespread and negatively impacting forests. Learn more about stiltgrass, including how to identify and where […] Continue reading "Invasive Stiltgrass Found in Wisconsin"
Redeemer United Church of Christ is hosting a FREE community event to celebrate the beauty of Redeemer UCC’s natural prairie. The four-acre prairie and six flowerbed gardens contain over 50 varieties of native plants and grasses. With all plants being native to Wisconsin, one can imagine what this area would have looked like to Native Americans and […] Continue reading "2025 Prairie Fest – July 27th"
12-Week Challenge to Restore Nature Join the revolution sweeping across America! This 12-week challenge, hosted by Plan it Wild kicked off on May 1st! Over 12 expert-led weekly challenges, transform your lawn into a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life. Discover simple techniques to create habitat that butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects can’t resist. Ready to […] Continue reading "Less Lawn, More Life"
Canadian Ginger is a colony-forming perennial that grows only 4-8 in. high. Each plant bears a pair of large, velvety, heart-shaped leaves. Continue reading "Plant of the Month: Canadian Wild Ginger"
The studies, reported by the World Wildlife Fund and the Xerces Society, report both encouraging and discouraging news on butterfly populations. Eastern monarch butterfly population nearly doubles in 2025 The World Wildlife Fund reports on the eastern monarch butterfly population nearly doubled in 2025, according to a new report announced in Mexico. Study Finds That US […] Continue reading "Two New Butterfly Studies Released"
Help out local nature centers and conservation organizations by buying native plants! Sales are in-person or online sales — or both. *Pre-order only **Pre-order and in person Elm Grove Beautification Committee **2025 EGBC Spring Ephemeral Sale – Pre-order by the flat or shop in person on May 3rd, 2025* 2025 Bare Root Shrub Sale – Pre-order […] Continue reading "Spring Plant Sales"
The Elm Grove Beautification Committee, Friends of the Elm Grove Library, Elm Grove Green Team, Elm Grove Junior Guild and Elm Grove Woman’s Club together bring you a NATURE’S BEST HOPE – ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY The theme of the evening is connections — bringing together community by helping people form relationships with others and a connection […] Continue reading "NATURE’S BEST HOPE – ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY"
New University of Minnesota research suggests that seeding native plants alongside invasive removal efforts may turn the tide in the battle against buckthorn. Recently published in Ecological Engineering, researchers show that heavily seeding native grasses, like Virginia wildrye, alongside buckthorn removal efforts greatly reduces the number and size of new buckthorn trying to reclaim the site. […] Continue reading "Good News on Buckthorn Control"
As part of its annual education efforts in the lead up to Earth Day in the spring, the Shorewood Conservation Committee will offer free screenings of several documentaries. The movies focus on a variety of environmental topics of local interest, and each screening will be followed by a guided short discussion focused on how Village […] Continue reading "Shorewood 2025 Environmental Film Festival – Free"