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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
3 Ways to Protect Birds in The Winter Months
We all miss the beautiful songs of birds in the spring and summer, but now that winter is here, there are some days that we rarely see them. During harsh winter weather, there are easy ways you can protect and help the birds in your landscape and neighborhood. Provide Food The best way you can […]
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 […]
Mushrooms: The Silent Helpers
Look down at your feet. Did you know that right under the ground, there is a network of living organisms communicating and helping our ecosystem and you? Right below there’s a huge web of fungi working hard to keep the world running. Fungi are best known for their fruiting bodies, mushrooms, but most of their […]
