Butterflies: More Than Just Beautiful Wings

Butterflies are the beauties of our gardens and landscapes. Their beautiful colors and delicate wings bring life and color into our lives. But what purpose do they serve in our environment? Butterflies are beautiful but mighty workers. They help our environment more than we realize! Butterflies are Pollinators Butterflies are attracted to bright flowers and […]

Bees, the Buzzing Superhero

Bees are more than a cute little fuzzy insect… they are hard at work making your landscape, neighborhood, and world a better place! Even though they may sting once in a while, bees play an important role in the natural world. What Do Bees Do for You? Besides being the best producers for honey, bees […]

Where Animals Live During Winter in Wisconsin: Birds, Badgers, & Others Brave the Cold

Bitter cold, snow, and barren ground are typical characteristics of a Wisconsin winter. Sometimes temperatures warm up or less snow falls, but animals of all kinds have to adapt to this dormant season. Some migrate to warmer places while others hunker down in temporary habitats where they can. Others fully hibernate or go into torpor […]

Nature-Inspired Gifts for the Holiday Season

Looking for gifts for the loved ones in your life or even yourself? Consider one-of-a-kind, long-lasting gifts that are good for the local environment too! Let’s check out what’s available at our WPS Trellis Gift Shop for your holiday shopping this year. For the Book Lovers We all have a loved one that enjoys reading […]

Native Plants to Fill Your Fall Gaps & Containers

As we transition further in fall you might be stuck on what to do with your garden or landscape at home. When we think of fall, we think of plants and blooms dying off because the air is colder and the sun isn’t around as much. On the contrary, there are multiple different plants that […]

Threats to Monarch Migration

Monarchs are not only beautiful butterflies, they also play an important role within the pollination cycle and local ecosystems. But what are they up to when you don’t see them in the colder seasons? Monarchs Migrate Just like many birds, monarch butterflies migrate south for the winter. Their delicate bodies are not able to survive […]

What Are Meadows & Why Are They Important?

Meadows are a beautiful and peaceful habitat. We can enjoy the sounds of nature in an open environment. A meadow is more than just an open field. Meadows are diverse, dynamic habitats dominated by herbaceous plants, including native grasses and wildflowers. Meadow habitats are often overlooked, but they are critical homes to many wildflowers and […]

Good Bugs You Need in Your Garden & How to Protect Them

Creepy crawlies in your garden can seem alarming, but a surplus of certain bugs and insects in your garden is a good thing! It shows that your garden is healthy, well versed in plant species, and also a place for bugs to thrive. Many bugs help your garden. The first reason to keep good bugs […]

The Life & Times of the Dragonfly

Dragonflies are more than just an insect that can fly backwards. They are an important factor in habitats and ecosystems. Worldwide, there are approximately 6,500 different species of dragonflies! Out of the 6,500 species, 164 of them are native to Wisconsin. Some of these species include the ZigZag Darner, Swamp Darner, Painted Skimmer, and more! […]

No Mow May: Why Letting Your Lawn Grow This Month is Beneficial to Pollinators

Warm weather signals when gardeners and homeowners are able to turn their attentions back to their lawns, with regular mowing transforming a scrappy patch into an orderly sea of green. ​To promote and educate the community about the critical period of pollinator emergence, the month of May has been designated as No Mow May in a growing […]