As a gardener and professor of horticulture at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Dr. Shelley Jansky was confident she knew a lot about plants—with good reason. Then she discovered native plants, and everything changed. Especially her yard. Jansky will discuss her journey in a special guest talk, “Embracing Native Plants: Trials and Tribulations,” at 6 […] Continue reading "“Embracing Native Plants” talk May 21"
Bringing native plants to the classroom We are giddy to announce that Chassell middle-school science teacher Beth Squires will be incorporating Symbiotic Schoolyard into her curriculum. This unit, endorsed by Doug Tallamy’s Homegrown National Park, addresses biodiversity and has students plant a native garden, often on school grounds. Kudos to two great Wild Ones members […] Continue reading "What’s Up with WOK, April 2024"
Hancock volunteer firefighters took advantage of perfect conditions April 15 to perform a prescribed burn at the Hancock Beach bioswale, which is tended by Keweenaw Wild Ones and the Hancock Beautification Group. Managed native grasslands like the bioswale are often burned every few years to clear out dead vegetation. The practice blackens the soil, which […] Continue reading "Burning the Bioswale"
Naturalist Alex Graeff will present “‘Interesting’ Flora and Natural Communities of the Keweenaw” at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday, April 16, on Zoom. Everyone is invited. Link to the presentation here. Alex will include a brief description of geological features of the Keweenaw Peninsula that set the stage for some of the region’s natural plant communities. […] Continue reading "Zoom talk April 16 Wildflowers of the Keweenaw"
Hi everyone. This is an update on WOK activities as of our March 18 board meeting. Keweenaw Native Plant Symposium Saturday Morning Our featured speaker is David Mizejewski, author of Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife. We’re also excited to host Sigrid Resh, who will speak on the new Go Beyond Beauty program, and […] Continue reading "What’s Up with WOK, March 2024"
Michigan State University ornithologist Jen Owen will give a Zoom talk at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, “Health of Migrating Landbirds in the Face of a Changing Landscape: Importance of Native Plants.” In the last 50 years, migratory bird populations have declined by almost 30 percent. Much of that loss can be attributed to habitat […] Continue reading "Jan. 18 talk on migratory birds and native plants"
Anne Collins addresses about 30 community members on how NRCS programs can help solve their land management problems. Want to create a meadow, or set up a greenhouse, or grow habitat for the golden-winged warbler? Or maybe you’d like help developing a management plan for a woodlot or getting rid of spotted knapweed? Improve pasture […] Continue reading "Get free advice (and maybe $) to make your land management dreams come true"
It’s taking forever for our seedlings to get big this year. Normally, we transplant from trays into pots in late May or early June, but with the cold spells and drought, that was not to be. Finally, on July 2, we got tired of waiting, and over a dozen Wild Ones (and a few good […] Continue reading "A transplanting bee for the ages"
The late Kathe Salmi, a member of Keweenaw Wild Ones, was remembered at a ceremony dedicating a garden bench in her honor June 20 at the Labyrinth Garden in Hancock. Wild Ones donated about $600 toward the purchase of the bench. The remaining funds were contributed by other donors and the city of Hancock, where […] Continue reading "In memory of a proud Wild One"
Keweenaw Wild Ones and friends go for a ramble at the Robert Brown Plant Preserve during the summer solstice, June 21, 2023, the longest day of the year. What we came for! One of many little stands of pink lady’s slippers. We were grateful they were still blooming, since it’s been a very dry June. […] Continue reading "A walk in the woods"