written by Emma Harmon Last Friday, we gathered at Illiniwek Forest Preserve to meander down the trail and see what we could see! It was an awesome way to practice identification of woodland plants and to spot some fun blooms. The blue phlox that was popping up everywhere was completely enchanting, and we were all […] Continue reading "Wildflower Social at Illiniwek: Event Recap"
My pollinator garden, located in Iowa City, began 8 years ago this year. It’s a continual work in progress. Each year, we have converted more of our yard to pollinator habitat. Continue reading "April in the Urban Garden"
written by Meghan Hollister The spring solstice has a funny way of infusing my spirit with life. Days lengthen, energy is refreshed, and life begins to stir. Birdsong greets the morning with sunlight that has already been waiting, almost offensive in its motivation, on its effortless celestial path that nudges life along. This is a […] Continue reading "Spring Awakenings"
written by Emma Harmon By now, you have probably heard to “leave the leaves” in the fall for overwintering insects. But what else can we do to create habitat in our gardens over winter? Here are some views of my garden right now, in late March. In the later spring, after overwintering insects and queen […] Continue reading "Must-Haves for your Winter & Early Spring Garden"
Our annual Symposium is coming up soon! Join us next month at Western Illinois campus in Moline for a panel discussion, breakout sessions, garden tour, therapy dogs, and of course- pizza! Here is the schedule of events for that evening. We look forward to seeing you there! Continue reading "WIU Symposium- schedule of events"
written by Grant Fessler, originally published on his website, gcology.net On the overcast morning of Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, I made my way to one of the Quad Cities most prized natural areas, Black Hawk Historic site. As I descended from Black Hawk Road to the parking lot on the Rock River floodplain, I saw […] Continue reading "Earth Day Wildflowers at Black Hawk Historic Site"
written by Grant Fessler, originally published on his website, gcology.net With a sudden burst of unseasonably warm weather this past week, the spring ephemerals have leapt into blooming here in the Quad Cities region. Our remnant woodlands are now teaming with whites, purples, blues, and yellows, and the early spring pollinators are hard at work. […] Continue reading "Hunting Down the Prairie Trout Lily"
