habitat restoration

Patience on the Prairie

Patience on the Prairie

Remember those monarchs? They were nectaring on meadow blazing star, a lovely native species of blazing star (also known by its genus, Liatris). Of all the blooming plants at this point in the season, meadow blazing star has the reputation of being the monarchs' favorite and a most important source of energy as the flight generation of monarchs emerges. All native blazing stars offer these critical food resources, so SoWBA and its partners work hard to ensure their prairies include Liatris species.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

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The Last Experiment of the Year

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All of us in SoWBA enjoyed the recent newsletter about Citizen Science, with Mickenzee's account of the Lincoln Elementary School's citizen scientists my favorite.

SoWBA and the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited recently hosted those 4th graders on their and our annual end of the year field trip. For many it's their first chance to see and hold a fish.

Photo by Carolyn Byers

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Listening to Will Rogers

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Listening to Will Rogers

Will Rogers famously said, “God isn't making any more land.” In other words, we'd better take care of what's there. Thank goodness, the Wisconsin DNR, Dane County, and Madison Audubon are listening, and just stepped up to do just that.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Recovery: Wildlife

Recovery: Wildlife

Today, we’ll continue our look at Art Hawkins’ “Wildlife History of Faville Grove” and compare it to what we’re seeing on the land today.

In 2019, mere feet from that pasque flower we visited last time, I relocated the nest of an American Woodcock that we had found (and protected) during a prescribed burn. I went to check on the pasque flower, and while there, I thought to check if the woodcock nest remained intact. As I approached the nest site, the hen kicked up and hit my shoulder as it flew away. I stopped, took a look down at the ground, and after careful scrutiny found four woodcock chicks frozen on the ground.

Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren