I have posted on Canada goldenrod eradication in the past.  My method was a leaf spritz with a low-volume high-concentration of Garlon 4 herbicide diluted in bark oil. [One part…

In the Driftless Area there are many rock outcrops on which plants appear to be "struggling" for survival. If such an area is fairly large it might be called a…

Those following these posts are aware that we have been working hard to completely eliminate sumac from the natural areas Kathie and I manage. Some of the details can be…

We have always had swamp thistle (Cirsium muticum) in our wetland, but this year it is particularly prolific in the part of the wetland we burned this April. The C…

Milkweed bugs feeding on a common milkweed pod The milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) is specialized for feeding on milkweeds. The principal food of this bug is the milkweed seed, although…

Purple milkweed is one of our signature plants at Pleasant Valley Conservancy, and Kathie and I have been monitoring it since 1999. Originally, only a single purple milkweed patch arose…

The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is unique because of its long-range seasonal migration. The late-summer eastern North America populations migrate alll the way to central Mexico, where they overwinter. In…

The wetland adjacent to the Valley and Crane Prairies is an interesting mix of wetland soils, standing water, and flowing springs. Access is good because of the mowed lane which…

Weather permitting, this should be a nice year for our annual trip. Lush vegetation, especially the warm-season prairie grasses, have benefited greatly from the consistent rains we have been having.…

Yesterday the rains ended just in time for the Wisconsin State Natural Areas volunteers potluck lunch and tour at Pleasant Valley Conservancy. A large turnout made the event especially nice.…