April Environmental Report written by Denise Clegg My husband has often said he didn’t go to college to be a grass farmer. However, much of his leisure time is spent taking care of the lawn. The perfect lawn is not a priority in retirement. So, I’m hoping that I can impart some wisdom from the …
Consequences of Seemingly Harmless Activity
Are you planning a vacation this year? Going to do some hiking? Have you seen the signs for leave no trace. “Please take nothing but photos leave nothing but footprints,” they say. Or, “pack it in pack it out.” You get the idea. According to information in an m-live article rock stacking is causing environmental …
We’re Losing Monarch Butterflies Fast- Here’s Why
It’s not too late to save them, but it’s a question of whether we make the effort, scientists say. 6 MINUTE READBY CARRIE ARNOLD PUBLISHED DECEMBER 21, 2018 https://apple.news/Aa1Z3g8Y4SQW33KAhsvQI9Q
Nov 2018 Environmental Report
GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY OUR ENVIRONMENT “Just north of South Haven, MI, you will find one of the state’s unique natural treasures. The Nature Conservancy’s Ross Coastal Plain Marsh is 1,449 acres of beauty and is home to a stunning variety of habitats, plants, and wildlife. The diversity of life found at Ross can …
Spiderwort Friend or Foe?
Tradescantia The Spiderwort, Tradescantia virginiana, a spring blooming plant is considered to be an easy to care for and grow wildflower plant. Its other common name is Widow’s Tears. A herbaceous perennial in the family Commelinaceae, is native to the New World from Southern Canada to Northern Argentina, including the West Indies. Its unusual name …
Sept 2018 Environmental Report
Enbridge Settlement Funding Research on Control of Aquatic Invasive Species A project begun this year in the Fort Custer Recreation Area (FCRA) is a three year research project into control of aquatic invasive species (AIS). It is a multi-pronged approach to control AIS in the FCRA, developed and implemented by the Michigan Department of Natural …
Great Black Wasp: Beneficial Insect
Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) The iridescent Great Black Wasp is a beneficial insect in spite of its scary appearance being 1-1.5” long. They are nectar and pollen eaters. They gather prey (Katydids, Grasshoppers and Crickets) to feed their immature offspring located in underground nests. Since Great Black Wasps do not have a colony to defend they …
Those Pesky Deer
For years I have had a huge problem with deer in my yard. As you are aware, they eat whatever they darn please. Two years ago at Wedel’s Spring Expo there was a booth with two guys from Messina Wildlife Management. I spent quite a bit of time talking with them before I bought their …
Dormant Pruning Advice
The Right Tools for the Job Have you done your dormant pruning yet? Have you found that your tools are not working as well as they should? They aren’t the right tools if it takes a lot of your energy to get the job done or if the cuts are not clean. Below is some …
Invasive Plants – Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica, an invasive species is prevalent in Kalamazoo County. It spreads easily and seems to be incredibly indestructable. The City of Kalamazoo hired Hannah Hudson last summer as the tall grass and weeds inspector. She has a background in natural resources, but had never heard of Japanese knotweed. She quickly learned its …
