Soaking up the Sun: The Western Painted Turtle
During rural Wisconsin summers, turtles are hard to miss. Whether they’re sitting out on a log in a lake or accidentally finding their way into your backyard, they have their few months of glory and then disappear. So, who are these mysterious critters anyway? Well, I’m glad you asked. Being Wisconsin’s most common subspecies, you’ve […]
Sounds of Summer: The Northern Leopard Frog
When I was a kid, my family didn’t have a cabin to vacation in during the summer. No pontoon boat, no sandy beaches, and definitely no air conditioning. What we did have was a trailer with rotted out floor boards from the ’70s, and what it lacked in amenities it made up for in smell. […]
4 Critical Types of Wisconsin Wetlands
Wisconsin has a wealth of wetlands, and we’re better for it! Wetlands play an important role in our local landscapes and biodiversity. They prevent flooding by capturing excess water, purify water by filtering out pollutants, and serve as nurseries for many of our young fish and wildlife.2 Wetland is a general term for a whole […]
The Journey of a Seed
Unlike many other living things, seeds don’t get a happy childhood at home. For their success, it’s important that they get as far away from the parent plant as possible and quick! You see, a little plant in the shadow of its parent won’t get the sunlight, water, and nutrients it needs to grow big […]
Are You a Farmers Market Regular? Here Are 5 Reasons You Should Be
Every summer, Midwesterners flock to their local farmers markets, and they should! Not only do farmers markets connect us to the neighbors who grow our food, but they also support our environmental and economic health. Here are just a few reasons why going to the farmers market should be part of your routine this summer. […]
Does Composting Really Make a Difference?
I grew up in a family that so badly wanted to be good at composting. Throughout my childhood, there were multiple attempts at starting our own household system. Whether it was the compost bin that split open (it was as much of a mess as you can imagine), or the hole in the ground that […]
3 Steps to a Beautiful & Delicious Garden
As more and more people become interested in growing food in their own yards, the line has begun to blur between edible garden plots and ornamental landscaping. While the results are stunning, not everyone has the time or resources to completely overhaul their pre-existing layout. Nevertheless, there are plenty of ways to adopt this new […]
5 Ways to Save Water Outdoors This Summer
As awareness of water conservation increases, more and more people are looking for ways to cut back on their daily use. What most people don’t realize is that a whopping 30% of average American household water use takes place in their yard.1 So how can we save water outdoors this summer? Ditch the Sprinkler Sprinklers […]
6 “Black Sheep” Pollinators You Should Get to Know
With the popularity of No Mow May, I’m sure you’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about bees and how we can help them. After all, they do play a huge role in maintaining our plant biodiversity, and getting food on the table. However, bees have risen to pollinator poster child status, and most people […]
How Animals Use Dead Wood as a Building Block for Habitat
When you are out on a walk and you see all the dead trees lying on the ground, do you ever think “why aren’t these being cleaned up?” Did you know that the dead wood in your yard or in your neighborhood is more important than it may seem? Dead wood plays an important role […]
