by Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member This question came to my mind a number of years ago when I was raising monarchs from eggs and caterpillars found in the wild for the following two Citizen Science Projects: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project and Project Monarch Health. Milkweeds are the only plants that monarch caterpillars will feed on […] Continue reading "Does Spotted Knapweed Repel Monarch Butterflies?"
by Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member A while back I came across an interesting study on bumblebees. While the study was done in England, the same principles might apply right here in Kalamazoo County. I don’t see much hope for us to influence Big Ag to do much for pollinators. But we do have control over […] Continue reading "All the More Reason to Landscape with Native Plants"
by Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member The recent eclipse provided many scientists an opportunity to study how animal behavior is affected by sudden changes in light. One such study was done at Monarch Watch at the University of Kansas with honeybees. While Lawrence, KS, was not in the path of totality, 89% of the sun was […] Continue reading "The Effect of a Solar Eclipse on Honeybee Foraging"
by Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member Here is an interesting research paper that shows the importance to monarchs and bees of gardens with milkweed in urban settings. If you would like to read the entire paper, please contact me at: [email protected]. Adam M. Baker · Daniel A. Potter Published online: 6 June 2018 ©Springer International Publishing […] Continue reading "Plant Milkweed for Butterflies and Bees"
by Mike Weis, KAWO member and owner of Dropseed! Native Gardens There’s a problem lurking in your yard and it’s wreaking havoc elsewhere, whether you know it or not. Invasive species continue to be a major problem for conservation and restoration efforts and most of these invasive plant outbreaks in wilderness areas originate in our […] Continue reading "Why It’s Important to Remove Invasive Species from Your Yard"
by Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member That’s right. Weeding, not weed, induced meditation. Wikipedia defines meditation as a practice of mindfullness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. Meditation may significantly reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, and enhance […] Continue reading "Weeding Induced Meditation"
by Mike Weis, KAWO member and owner of Dropseed! Native Gardens Here in Kalamazoo county, most of our landscape is the product of outwash from glacier activity over 10,000 years ago. (Warning: armchair geology lesson from a fool) Essentially, a confluence of glacial moraine Lobes, Sublobes and Interlobes of the enormous Laurentide Ice Sheet pushed […] Continue reading "Glacial Gifts: Garden Design for Dry, Sunny Slopes"
by Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member In 2012 the national organization of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, joined forces with Monarch Joint Venture and Monarch Watch to Bring Back the Monarch in an effort to save America’s favorite butterfly, the Monarch. The Bring Back the Monarch program’s goals are to restore 20 milkweed species to […] Continue reading "Monarchs Need Protection: Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones Can Help"
by Mike Weis, KAWO member and owner of Dropseed! Native Gardens One of the most beloved plants for native plant gardeners is Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa). This plant is so popular that even the big box stores carry it—a native with mass appeal. Undoubtedly, those bright orange flowers that attract legions of pollinators are gorgeous […] Continue reading "Tuberosa Spotlight"
By Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member The number of monarchs at the overwintering sites in Mexico was at an all-time low the winter of 2013-2014. While insect populations can vary greatly from year to year, the trend for monarchs is definitely downward since consistent population measurements were started in the winter of 1993-1994. Because it predates […] Continue reading "Reminder of a Failed Campaign"