Thoughts on landscape design

by Betty Struckhoff On August 7, Wild Ones members were treated to a wonderful front yard native garden in Chesterfield.  It was fun to see our makeover in 2011 and how it has developed over two years (and how two active children have grown along with it).  Part of the…

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Preview of our September meeting

Native plants in urban and suburban environments intercept storm water, reducing runoff into storm sewers and streams. Trees do the same, as do some man-made materials designed for the purpose. All are incorporated into the Operation Brightside demonstration garden, site of our September meeting and described in the latest issue of Conservation…

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Native plant bake-off

Shaw Nature Reserve is holding a cooking contest during the fall Wildflower Market: Friday, September 6, 2013 from 4 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO Attention all foodies. We would like to present you with a challenge! Bring us your best creation, to be judged by…

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July 2013 meeting minutes

President Ed Schmidt welcomed thirty-one members and seven guests, including 5 members and 2 guests from Illinois, to this month’s yard tour and meeting.  Program Chan Mahanta hosted a yard tour at his home in North St. Louis County.  Following the tour, he described how, as a young boy in…

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Response from CityArchRiver2015

This is a follow-up on the plan to replace the declining ash trees near the Arch with London plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia). Some members of Wild Ones who contacted CityArchRiver 2015 to express concerns about the use of a monoculture of non-native trees received this response from Ryan McClure, Communications Director….

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2013 Landscape Challenge Winner Announced

by Ed Schmidt The winning property of this year’s Landscape Challenge has been chosen.  A team of Wild Ones members and a representative from Grow Native! processed the 13 applications and visited promising properties on a recent evening.  All applicants this year have participated in Audubon’s Bring Conservation Home program,…

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June 2013 meeting minutes

As an experiment this month, two yard tours were held in one week at the same property.  Members and guests chose the date and time most convenient for them.  On Wednesday’s stormy evening, president Ed Schmidt welcomed 7 guests and 16 members at 6:30 p.m.  At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday…

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Museum of Transportation scavenger hunt

by Betty Struckhoff Wild Ones volunteers and young families enjoyed a lovely solstice eve at the Museum of Transportation on Thursday, June 20, 2013.   It was great fun to interact with the children searching out clues with parents or grandparents.  We had a small but enthusiastic turnout. Scot Barnes shared…

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St. Louis Gateway Arch landscape – Why not natives?

by Betty Struckhoff The St. Louis Post Dispatch has published several articles regarding the decision to plant a monoculture of non-native London Plane trees (Platanus acerifolia) for new landscaping on the grounds of the St. Louis Arch.  For example, read the original announcement, and this follow-up. The articles have generated plenty of…

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Mystery Plant

By Amy Redfield I’m on a trip to Ely, Minnesota, near the Boundary Waters (apparently swapping the heat for the bugs!) and found this little guy all over the place. Can anyone ID him for me? He’s just too cute!

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