In a recent discussion with our summer interns, the topic turned to the movement of invasive species into Pleasant Valley Conservancy from surrounding lands. Good question. PVC is an island…

Right now is peak season for the flowering of spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) in southern Wisconsin. This interesting plant finds a niche in the flowering sequence between the earlier lupine and…

When Kathie and I purchased (in 1980) the property that has now become Pleasant Valley Conservancy, we were not aware of its potential value as a natural area. Even when…

We've been visiting the Driftless area of western Dane county for many years but it has only been in the last dozen years that we have been seeing turkey vultures.…

Aspen is one of those plant species that you can either love or hate! It has extensive commercial value, and its fall color is greatly prized in the Rockies. But…

This is the time of year for Trilliums. We have scattered flowering plants in the oak savannas, but the major display is in the north woods, easily visible by driving…

Dale Bonk photo 2015 We get quite a few birders at Pleasant Valley Conservancy, and most of them comment on our red-headed woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). This is a bird species…

Violets are blooming now in the prairies and are close to their peak. There are two species of violets found in prairies. The one that tends to form patches is…

Honeysuckle is one of our more annoying invasive shrubs. However, it is one of the first shrubs to green up in the spring, thus making it easy to spot. Thus,…

Today our intrepid crew burned the wetland strip, thus finishing our burn program for the spring season. The map shows the area (3.6 acres) burned. For more details on the…