May 1, 2020 | blog, insects, spring
Native ground nesting bee, sometimes called miner bees, make up 70 percent of Illinois 500 native bee species. Although they are important pollinators, most people know very little about them and still treat them as pests.
Jul 19, 2013 | biodiversity, blog, insects, native plants, summer
Join the US and 37 other countries celebrating National Moth Week in July! Here are some interesting facts about moths and some links about Moths in Illinois:
Apr 10, 2013 | blog, environment, insects, interesting and amusing facts I want to share with you, native plants
Remember our spring 2012 when the weather reached the mid and upper 80’s in March? This was followed by severe drought and heat. This early spring caught us all off guard. I quickly hurried to get my yard ready for a controlled burn in mid-March since my...
Sep 4, 2012 | biodiversity, blog, Get Outdoors, insects, summer, wildlife
I love the sound of Cicadas and other singing insects in the summer. To me, the height of summer is when the male Cicadas, Crickets or Katydids are singing for a mate. But did you know noise pollution can harm wildlife and the lack of wildlife sounds is another indicator of habitat destruction?
Oct 17, 2011 | blog, environment, fall, home, insects, maintenance
Here are some quick environmentally friendly suggestions for leaving the leaves instead of bagging, blowing or raking them. This will reduce noise and air pollution, but most importantly, benefit wildlife and plants.
Jun 22, 2011 | blog, insects, native plants, spring
Indigo Bush or False Indigo (Amorpha fruiticosa) is one of my favorite late spring blooming shrubs/small trees. Its deep purple blooms, bright orange stamens and fine textured leaves are a welcoming contrast to the many white blooming, larger leaved native shrubs that bloom about the same time.