Accent on Natural Landscaping

Donna VanBuecken

Violets and other Host Plants

  The other day at a social gathering, I overhead someone complaining about all the violets in her lawn. How she "hated" them, and how they just "won't go away." I couldn't help but ask her if she was aware the violet was the host plant for fritillary butterflies. She looked at me … [Read more...]

Btk – Gypsy Moth Suppression

I read recently that the State of Wisconsin, like many other northern states, would be spraying for gypsy moths during the end of April and into May. Curious as to how this spraying would affect other insects, I wrote to WDNR representative Colleen Robinson Klug.  With her permission, here is her … [Read more...]

Ortho Drops Neonic Chemical

In the words of former Wild Ones Journal Editor Maryann Whitman, "I’m gobsmacked." Ortho, a division of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company says it will stop using neonicotinoids in their lawn care products. Neonicotinoids often called just neonics are a class of chemicals that harm bees and other insects … [Read more...]

Wisconsin Citizen-Based Monitoring Partnership Program RFP

The Wisconsin Citizen-Based Monitoring Partnership Program hosted by WDNR is now accepting applications for funding and assistance for projects focused on a variety of priorities. All priorities focus on biodiversity, of course. Many focus on pollinators and other insects and birds, and a couple … [Read more...]

Arbor Day

Started in Spain in 1954, Arbor Day has since globalized to the rest of the world.  In America Nebraska was the first state to celebrate this holiday in 1872. Since the 1920s every state in America celebrates a form of Arbor Day.  The national day of celebration is the last Friday in April.  This … [Read more...]