PROGRAM

Dave Tylka talks about his water feature

Dave and Karen Tylka hosted this month’s yard tour at their 3-acre rural property outside of Imperial, MO. Fifty-plus Wild Ones members and guests attended to learn from the passionate, natural-born teacher. Dave is the author of Native Landscaping for Wildlife and People and teaches a class of the same name at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. Along with Mitch Leachman, St. Louis Audubon’s Executive Director, Dave started St. Louis Audubon’s Bring Conservation Home program and trains the program’s Habitat Advisors.

During the walking tour, Dave described in detail the numerous native plant communities that he and Karen have established on their property. There are habitats of forest, prairie, glade, wetland including a pond and series of rain gardens, and several species of native vines. He also educated us about the invertebrate pollinators, birds and other wildlife that are attracted to some of their 200+ plant species.

Editor’s notes: View more photos from the meeting. Dave’s book is available through the Missouri Department of Conservation and at Powder Valley Nature Center.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spring Wildflower Market at Shaw Nature Reserve
Marilyn Chryst again coordinated our booth at the Spring Wildflower Market with excellent results. Our profit from the sale was $4000.

Wild Ones volunteers at the 2010 Landscape Challenge in Creve Coeur

2014 Landscape Challenge – Ed Schmidt
We co-sponsor a yearly Landscape Challenge with Shaw Nature Reserve and the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. This year, 10 applications were received. Ed Schmidt, Ann Early, Bob Siemer, Jeanne Cablish, and Carrie Coyne reviewed the applications and visited all the properties. The winner has been chosen, and will be announced soon. The home is in Kirkwood on West Argonne Avenue. Planting date: September 27, 2014.

Carrie Coyne is a landscape architect who represents Grow Native! and the Missouri Prairie Foundation.
Jeanne Cablish is a landscape designer who has designed the Landscape Challenge makeovers for the last several years.

Website and blog – Brian Hall
Brian encouraged members to write blog posts. It’s a great opportunity to share developments in your yard, or ask for input on challenges. If you’re interested, contact Brian.

Next meeting – Ed Schmidt
The health and strength of an organization depends on many members becoming involved.

In order to encourage more membership involvement, the next board meeting will take place in July following the Saturday yard tour. Members are invited to stay for the meeting. The board agenda will be sent to the membership via email.

NEXT MEETING: July 2, 2014, 6:30 p.m. OR July 12, 9:30 a.m. Choose the date and time most convenient for you.
Yard tour at the home of Fran Glass. For directions, see our online calendar.

Recorded by: Fran Glass, Secretary