It takes an educated eye to see the difference between invasive species landscape and valuable native habitat
May 6, 2013 — JoyPublished on May 3, 2013 |
Mendota biologist Bryon Walters explains the plan of attack to replace invasive weeds with native landscaping.
Teachers look for ways to get students active coupled with outdoor education: “Fitness through service” promotes healthy body and a healthier earth
April 30, 2013 — JoyPublished on Apr 24, 2013 |
Punahou recently came up with a new way of advancing two of the school’s initiatives– being physically active and living a sustainable and service-oriented life. What’s unique is that they are achieving these goals simultaneously. Here’s a look at Punahou’s Fitness Through Service program. Produced & edited by Maiya Smith ’14
Our story continues with science teacher Gail Peiterson talking about how Punahou grows native plants at its Rocky Hill garden for dissemination to other parts of campus, and beyond.
Tall grass prairie video shows controlled burn in Iowa’s Horizon Park
April 12, 2013 — JoyPublished on Apr 5, 2013
On Wednesday, April 3, 2013, crews from the City of Ankeny’s Parks and Recreation Department instigated a controlled burn of Horizon Park.
Controlled burns keep the weeds from taking over new prairie plantings and keep aggressive trees, like willows, from dominating prairie plantings. In existing prairie plantings, the controlled burn removes dead vegetation and controls aggressive species.
Central Iowa’s landscape was once dominated by tall grass prairies. These ecosystems have an abundance of plants, insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles. The native grasses and forbs (flowers) also provide seed and nectar for insects, butterflies, birds, and small mammals.
Video shows step-by-step process for planting beneficial native plants in shoreline landscape
April 11, 2013 — JoyPublished on Apr 4, 2013
How to restore a shore with native plants, trees, and shrubs is the focus of this video for contractors and landowners in Central Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Crow Wing SWCD, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota DNR, and Thirty Lakes Watershed District partnered to produce five instructional videos about shoreline best management practices. Funding provided by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, through the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.
What is the no-till drilling method for sowing prairie seed? This video demonstrates
April 10, 2013 — JoyPublished on Apr 4, 2013
Prairie restoration efforts at the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve near Tahlequah, Okla. Visit nature.org/oklahoma to learn more.
Low-intensity surface fires help prevent mega wildfires and aid ecological restoration; tools and techniques shared from Arkansas to Africa
April 7, 2013 — JoyPublished on Apr 2, 2013
In the last decade, unnaturally-destructive megafires have swept through the West. Ironically, one of the things we can do to help reduce the risk of these megafires — and simultaneously improve the health of our forests — is by doing small “controlled burns” to reduce tinder in our forests. Learn about one of The Nature Conservancy’s fire experts, McRee Anderson, as he travels from Arkansas to Africa to learn and teach about controlled burning to help people, water, and wildlife.
