Natural Communities - Native Plant Knowhow Q&A Blog RSS
Considerations of Larger-Scale Restoration Design - Native Seed
When beginning a new project, several things should be considered as you determine the scope: wildlife and vegetation enhancement, soil stabilization, instream habitat improvements, floodwater storage, nutrient, and chemical capture, and, last but not least, budget. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list because we cannot guess every land manager’s objectives, but it does give you a glimpse into considerations for larger scale restorations. For this article, let’s focus on one consideration, vegetation. Vegetation seems to be easy on its face value, right? But it is a bit more complicated than simply restoring to native vegetation. You could also say...
Sowing Natures Seeds
Nature is resiliant, we just need to cultivate the seeds and it will spring back. Just as we have increased protections for air, water, and habitat we have seen wildlife rebound native landscaping is beginning to make a real positive impact. In the photo is the state endangered black crowned night heron living it up in downtown Chicago. These were increasingly rare, but we protected and restored habitat and those conservation seeds are showing great results. The same goes with native plants restoring our planet. Putting in those few plants in your landscape works, just watch nature leap to life...
Don't Forget the Grasses!
Some evidence is showing the abundance of grasses and sedges is super important for native bee conservation! Why? They have fine roots and they begin to build up the organic matter back to pre-settlement levels. This organic matter is necessary for the ground to absorb and hold water. What does that have to do with native bees? The water regulates the soil temperature. Many native bees are ground nesting and they need that heavy organic matter to nest in and a well regulated soil temperature to thrive. We lost this organic matter through oxidation over centuries of tilling agricultural practices....
Native Plants That Attract Birds
Bring birds to your home today by growing native plants. With Audubon's Native Plant Database, you can find the best plants for the birds in your area. Growing bird-friendly plants will attract and protect the birds you love while making your space beautiful, easy to care for, and better for the environment. Explore Audubon's Native Plant Database here. Look Here: http://www.audubon.org/plantsforbirds
Looking For Grants?
Is your school, church, business, etc.. in need of native plant habitat, stormwater solutions, or a biodiversity field trip? We have been looking around for grant opportunities, this is by no means comprehensive, but here is what we have found:Patagonia Environmental Grants Retail Grants Program - Accepts Applications on a Rolling Basis Throughout the Fiscal Year Corporate Grants Program - April 30 & August 31 Illinois Clean Energy K-12 Pollinator Schools ProgramApplication Deadline: January 17, 2018 DuPage County Stormwater Management Water Quality Grant Application Deadline: January 12, 2018Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action GrantApplication Deadline: November 30, 2017Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip GrantApplication Deadline: January 31, 2018Wild Ones 2018 Forever Wild Grant...
Tags
- All
- amazing
- Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)
- Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed)
- Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed)
- Aster
- batavia
- bird feeder
- birding
- birds
- BMP Grants
- butterfly
- butterfly plant
- Buy native plants for illinois
- chicago
- Coneflower
- evet
- grants
- green
- how to attract birds
- how to attract songbirds
- illinois
- Illinois native plants
- Invasive
- Invasive Control
- Invasive Weeds
- Milkweed
- Monarch
- Native bees
- native container garden
- Native grasses
- native plant
- native plant grants
- Native Plants
- native plants that attract birds
- native plants that attract songbirds
- Native Shrub
- native shrubs that attract birds
- Native Tree
- native trees that attract birds
- native urban
- nature
- nature and music
- Nectar
- perennial
- perennials
- record player
- stormwater grants
- Tree
- Urban birding
- urban native garden
- Weed Control
- Weeds
- wildflower
- wildflowers
- Wildlife