No December or January meeting.

Plants, Pollinators, People: We're All Connected
Randy Powers of Prairie Future Seeds in Sussex, WI
February 3, 2010, 7:00 p.m., Green Bay Botanical Garden.

Randy's presentation will focus on how to plant a prairie and the importance and benefits of using native plants.

Learn how your yard represents the last chance for sustaining plants and animals that once were common throughout the United States. Powers’ presentation explains many ways we can be backyard stewards of our land, whether we garden on a small city lot or on many acres.

Drawing from the research of Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, Powers explains the critical role of insects and native plants in the food chain and in saving the biodiversity that is rapidly vanishing.

Powers has taught at several colleges, and his company grows more than 200 native species for reconstructing natural areas. His do-it-your-self guides for landowners interested in installing and maintaining natural areas will be available to purchase.

Rain Gardens: Protecting Water Quality
Pat and Ceci Kiefer, Stone Silo Prairie Gardens, De Pere, WI
March 3, 2010, 7:00 p.m. GBBG

As forests and agricultural land are replaced by cities and suburbs, increased storm water runoff becomes a problem carrying pollutants into local steams and lakes. A rain garden is one answer. These landscaped areas, planted with native grasses and flowers, have deep roots which soak up rain water. When the garden fills with a few inches of water after a storm, it slowly filters into the ground rather than running off to a storm drain. And - there’s the added attraction of a colorful garden which attracts birds and butterflies.

Landscaping for Birds
Marietta Nowak, Wild Ones member, East Troy, WI
April 7, 2010, 7:00 p.m. GBBG

Long-time Wild Ones member, Nowak is the author of Birdscaping in the Midwest which teaches gardeners that even small steps can improve bird habitat. Nowak guides gardeners through planning a variety of gardens using native plants. Prairie, woodland, ponds and rain gardens can be all designed to attract birds and other wildlife.