We first found hedge parsley (Torilis japonica) at Pleasant Valley Conservancy over 20 years ago. At that time it was essentially unknown in Wisconsin and Kathie collected seeds from a…

Sweet clover control at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie is almost finished for the summer, and we are returning to brush control activities. Yesterday was our monthly volunteer work party, ably…

This post discusses a number of prairie plant species that "should" be at Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie but are not. This discussion is based on a review of the various…

I first published in 2010 on the leaf spritz technique for "selective" control of invasive plants without affect on nearby "good" plants. The spray solution is a 15-20% solution of…

According to numerous reports (reviewed in this publication), bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) populations have decreased dramatically since European settlement, and conservation and restoration of this species has become a management…

I once saw an exhibit at a Nature Center that said: “Where does the prairie end and the savanna begin?” The answer given was: “At the first oak tree.” There…

We finally got the rain we wanted on Saturday afternoon (May 28 2016). Unfortunately, it was accompanied by extremely strong winds that did serious damage to trees at Pleasant Valley…

This is the second of two posts on invasive plant control. Last week’s dealt with biennials. The table at the end provides an overview of key perennial weeds and a…

According to Prof. David Hogg, Monarch specialist at UW-Madison, the first "official" 2016 sighting of Monarch butterflies in Wisconsin was made Thursday May 19 at Pleasant Valley Conservancy. Here is…

Monarch butterflies need all the help they can get! Pleasant Valley Conservancy (PVC) has lots of Monarch habitat, but more is  needed to replenish the diminishing populations of these important…