August meeting
By Fran Glass At the University of Missouri-St. Louis our hostess was Jen Fruend of CHERP (Campus Honors Environmental Research Program). CHERP is an urban ecology honors college course studying natural ecosystems to restore wildness to the campus, local parks, and neighborhood. Jen is a CHERP Education and Ecology Instructor…
Native Landscaping video series – Part 3, Law
Many local governments have ordinances to define acceptable land use. However, proponents of manicured lawns and native plant enthusiasts may have very different perspectives on what sort of yard is desirable. In the final video in the series, Joy Buslaff provides suggestions for effective policies.
Native Landscaping video series – Part 2, Science
In the second video of her 3-part series, Joy Buslaff discusses a scientific evaluation of the risks and benefits of native landscaping and traditional lawn maintenance.
Native Landscaping video series – Part 1, Pride
Joy Buslaff, a Wild Ones member in Wisconsin, created a 3-part series of videos about landscaping with native plants and addressing local land-use ordinances. The first video covers the history of lawns, and motivations for native landscaping.
Drought doubts
New partnership with Bring Conservation Home
Many of us heard about the St. Louis Audubon Society’s Bring Conservation Home (BCH) program at the March meeting. It encourages homeowners to provide quality habitat for birds and other animals by: Landscaping with native plants Removing invasive plant species Conserving water Implementing stewardship practices to support wildlife
Where do our native plants come from?
Are we inadvertently destroying the Missouri native plant Space-Time Continuum? (The last 3 words borrowed from Star Trek.) Seriously, I wonder if we are introducing plants into our local gene pool that may change the genetic make-up of our local species. To prevent this, the source of origin should be…
Missouri Native Grassland Conservation – Green Time TV
Green Time show 404, Missouri Native Grassland Conservation. Features local documentary about Missouri prairies and efforts at UMSL to recreate prairie areas. Don Fitz discusses prairies and their advantages with Jay Fish, of UMSL’s Campus Honors Environmental Research Program, and Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Jon Wingo. They discuss how preserving Missouri’s…
Remembering William Knowles
by Betty Struckhoff The Post Dispatch carried a wonderful story of William Knowles, who died recently at age 94, in the Saturday edition. Long-time St. Louis Wild Ones members will remember visiting the property of William and Nancy Knowles in St. Charles County, usually when spring wildflowers were blooming.