Pasque flowers

Chapter Meetings Program Schedule has information about upcoming meetings. Thank You to all who volunteer! If you're at all interested in helping, call Pat at (414) 529-4101.

The Beauty of Rain Gardens Watersheds in the US are being damaged by the soil particles, pesticides, and herbicides in stormwater runoff. President of Earth and Water Works, Ellen Rulseh, explained how rain gardens temporarily hold stormwater and prevent some of the problems caused by stormwater runoff. Ellen explained that native plants help water to infiltrate the soil because the roots of native plants go down five feet or more into the soil. About a third of the root mass dies each year. The roots that die leave small channels in the earth that water flows through to go more deeply into the underground water. When planting a rain garden, Ellen suggests that you test the soil to see if it is porous. The test is simple. Dig a hole about a foot deep and pour a bucket of water into the hole. If the water sinks into the ground within 24 hours, the soil is good for building a rain garden. When planting a rain garden, Elen suggested using plant plugs. She said that the plugs grew fast and some even bloomed the first season they were planted. Many people worry about mosquitoes breeding in their rain gardens. This is not a concern because the water does not stay long enough in the rain garden to allow the mosquitoes to breed.

Sharing Knowledge Everyone who attended chapter meetings was asked to share some of their knowledge. To read the results click on Wheel Enhancements

Grants Available From The Lake Michigan Rain Gardens Initiative

The Lake Michigan Rain Gardens Initiative is all about getting more rain gardens planted in Milwaukee County and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s service area. See their handout at MMSD Handout.

Rain gardens are defined as slightly sunken, native-plant gardens that collect rainwater from a roof, allowing the rain to soak into the ground. They protect our rivers and Lake Michigan by reducing polluted stormwater runoff and the amount of water that gets into the sewer system.

What are the grants for ? Grants will be awarded in the form of plants for your rain garden. For every 2.5 inch plant purchased at $3.60, grantees will receive a second plant for free. Interested groups or individuals need only to fill out and submit the short application form posted on MMSD’s website at http://www.mmsd.com/raingardens, by January 14th, 2008.

Other 2007 Events:

Wehr Nature Center is offering a series of native plant identification classes. We often hear members say, “I wish I knew my plants better.” Well, here is your chance to get a real head start on your plant ID skills: ----- Tuesday, July 31, 1-4 p.m.: Wildflowers of the Prairie ----- Monday, August 20, 1-4 p.m.: Warm Season Grasses ----- Monday, September 24, 1-4 p.m: Golden rods and Asters. Call (414) 425-8550.

August 4: The 29th annual Lorrie Otto Wild Yard bus tour of naturally landscaped yards sponsored by the Schlitz Audubon Center. Call (414) 352-2880, ext 0 for more information.

August 25, 9 a.m.-noon: Fall Native Plant Sale at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha. Plant identification available. Call (262) 896-8007 for more information.