Join the City Nature Challenge April 26 – 29th

Calling all Wild Ones members and friends to make an impact in the City Nature Challenge! April 26–29, 2019 The greater St. Louis region will be competing in the 2019 City Nature Challenge, along with more than 160 cities around the world. Which city can document the most species in…

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a growing place… (monarch adoption)

By Marypat Ehlmann Member-at-Large and Volunteer Coordinator, Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter In early/mid-April the St. Louis region received our first wave of monarchs migrating north. This was unexpected and about 4-6 weeks before most milkweed in neighborhood yards was tall enough to support feeding a brood of very…

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Book reviews of Heather Holm’s work

Heather Holm is one of the keynote speakers at the Partners for Native Landscaping workshop this coming Friday and Saturday. Her books will be available for sale at the workshop, and she will be available for signing during the Friday social hour as well as during lunch on Saturday. Pollinators…

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Project Pollinator kickoff event March 15

The new campaign announcement for Project Pollinator is not a typical tabling event, but the Wild Ones banner will be displayed, and we will have information available to spread the word about our organization’s mission. Members of our St. Louis Wild Ones chapter, Bob Siemer, Ann Earley, and Betty Struckhoff participate…

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Milkweed’s toxins protect butterflies

By Marcia Myers Not only does this amazing plant act as a nursery, provide nectar, and serve as an important food source, it provides extra protection from predators. Both monarchs (Danaus plexippus) and queen butterflies (Danaus gilippus) store cardenolides, toxins obtained from their milkweed (Asclepias spp.) diet. Why aren’t the butterflies poisoned? Monarchs…

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Pros and cons of raising monarchs

By Marcia Myers Monarch butterflies are in serious decline, so raising and releasing them must be good, right? It would seem so, but some experts have concerns. On October 8, “a group of 10 monarch researchers and conservationists from across the U.S. issued a statement highlighting concerns with the release…

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