WPS Garden of Lights Spotlight: The Homes of Beneficial Insects & Pollinators
As you explore the wintry outdoors and see a dazzling 325,000 holiday lights during WPS Garden of Lights, you’ll likely notice that we have a botanical and nature-inspired theme, and this is no coincidence! Each and every one of our hand-crafted displays represent an element of nature in some way, from buzzing bees to spinning […]
The Little-Known & Endangered Karner Blue Butterfly
In 1992, the Karner Blue Butterfly, a subspecies of the small blue butterfly, was federally listed as an endangered species. Since then, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species program has worked to identify, protect, and restore the Karner blue butterfly to prevent its extinction. You, too, can help prevent the extinction of this […]
The Magnificent Migration of Monarch Butterflies & How a Super Generation Makes it Happen
No migration compares to that of the small, black and orange creature you see fluttering through your neighborhood in summer. When you think about migration, you might describe how birds fly south for the winter and return when temperatures warm up again. For a monarch, migration is much more complex and requires multiple generations to […]
Welcome Beneficial Insects into Your Garden with an Insect Hotel
It’s not uncommon to see your garden infested with insects and have the urge to get rid of them. But as Mark Konlock (Director of Horticulture) says, sometimes you have to learn to live with the damage of insects because it likely means you’re supporting a healthy ecosystem full of plants, trees, insects, and other […]
Pollinator Migration Roundup: Who Stays and Who Goes?
When record-breaking cold temperatures hit Wisconsin during our brutal winters, some of us endure the piles and piles of snow that arrive while others travel to warmer destinations. It turns out, pollinators do the same thing: some of them stay and some of them go. Pollinators that migrate to climates that are warmer and closer […]
Pollinator Feature: Beetles, Birds and Bats – The 3 B’s of Lesser Known Pollinators
Bees and butterflies are two of the most famous types of pollinators, and ironically, they both start with the letter b. This alliteration is made up of extremely essential creatures that help fertilize plants, so they can produce fruits, seeds and other young plants. However, this extensive, large-scale job does not rest on the shoulders […]
Dinner for Pollinators: More Than Just Nectar and Pollen on the Table
In our Butterflies & Blooms exhibit, butterflies have a buffet of meals they can munch on. Nectar, sugar water and overripe fruits like bananas and blood oranges keep these creatures feeling satisfied with their favorite meals. But what about other pollinators? Honey bees, hummingbirds, moths and bats all consume nectar and help with the pollination […]
Pollinator Feature: 5 “Bad Boys” of the Pollinator World
In an attempt to enjoy a beautiful summer day, crawling and buzzing insects can be so bothersome to the point that reaching toward a fly swatter is involuntary. However, most of the creatures that tend to annoy us or cause a ruckus during these warm months are actually essential pollinators! Here are five insects that […]
Build a Butterfly Sanctuary: Three Steps to Increase the Butterfly Population in Your Living Space
In the Green Bay area, our open and outdoor spaces are filled with excitement at the sight of caterpillars stretching out across leaves and butterflies fluttering toward flowers. Their beauty evokes our admiration and their presence gives us hope because of the essential role they have in our ecosystem. Although climate change, habitat loss and […]
Find the Perfect Pollinator Plant for Your Living Space
After a long winter’s nap, pollinators are slowly starting to emerge. Conserving these creatures is vitally important, as the health of our ecosystems hangs in the balance. So, why not give them a warm welcome from their slumber with a pollinator-friendly plant? Our horticulturists chose their top five annuals to share with you this year! […]
