Saturday, July 04, 2009

Air Station Prairie, Glenview, IL



Breathtaking and majestic, the Jerusalem Artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus, is prominent today at Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center, Air Station Prairie, Glenview, IL.

This location, once within the former Glenview Navel Air Station is a remnant of the tall grasslands and prairie that once stretched westward from the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan.

The on-site interpretive center, complete with a roof top prairie garden is the focal point for the volunteers and many visitors to the preserve.


Albert Einstein is Quoted at Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

Albert Einstein

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Standing 450' above Lake Michigan, stop #9 along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, the waters are still, almost smooth as glass.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, M-22, Leelanau County, Michigan

Friday, June 12, 2009

Today We Sprayed Gypsy Moths


Today we sprayed for Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar.

The safe biological insecticide, DiPel(r) RF, contains the active ingredient, Bacillus thuringiensis, will safely kill the Gypsy moth caterpillar which can eat one square feet of leaf foliage daily.

According to Wikipedia, the Gypsy moth is of Eurasian origin and was introduced to North American in the late 1860s, Connecticut specifically, I am told.

They have been on the march since, arriving in Highland Park, Illinois in 2006. Today we sprayed the four White Oak trees, Quercus alba that shade our home. Gypsy moth caterpillar prefer oak trees and will swarn and completely defoliate a giant tree in one mass feeding frenzy.

Unless we help reduce the caterpillar population, this will certainly stress and probably kill the tree.

Thank you for your support!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Space between sun light and shade



The space between sun light and shade
Is moving across the river bottom
Leaves and seeds are floating by
Water walking bugs are the masters here
Going where ever they wish

So long as the current agrees

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Discovering our world everyday!



It's important to be ready for an unexpected photograph during spring and always carry a camera.
Erythzonium albidum, Trout Lilly or Dogtooth Violet was suppose to have yellow flowers according to the Eastern wildflower books;
Until today I had only seen a white variety populating our Chicago Wilderness Oak - Hickory Savannah ecosystems.

Enjoy!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

River Day is May 9th



Come join us at Danny Cunniff Park; 9:00am til 12:00 noon. This year we are planting a rain garden across from the Danny Cunniff fieldhouse.

Please RSVP and let us know your T-shirt size. Gardening tools, gloves and planting materials will be supplied.

This is an educational and family friendly event. We hope to see you!

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Early spring progression of blooming shrubs; An unknown plum





This "unknown plum" shrub, grows wild along unkempt rail roads, fence lines with various invasive species such as honey suckle and buckthorn. Under appreciated and unrecognized, it is often removed during landscaping, brush removal and other land clearing operations.

As few wild lands remain, these shrubs are rare in the wild. In Northeast Illinois, during early spring, this shrub is always the first native to bloom. When in bloom, all individuals are blooming which allows pollination and gives me the opportunity to notice, locate and document these survivors in our community.

After the flowering is completed they blend into the continuum of leaves and greenery of all description becoming very difficult to notice.

As an urban / suburban community, people have few connections to the land; Our wild lands and heritage survivor plant species are unnoticed and unappreciated.

This unknown shrub, is certainly wild, however, I don't even know the correct Latin or common name for this shrub.

If anyone can help with the identification, from the photograph, email me.

Please notice our wild land and plants before they are gone, as extinction is forever. Collect some fruit, learn how to germinate our wild heritage of plants and trees before they cannot be found.

The Local Planeteer cares about our wild forests, prairies, trees and shrubs.

It isn't too late to save our wild forest heritage.

Thank you!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Everyday is Earth Day



Localplanet is not selling anything.......
We are committed to the health of the planet and the idea that everyone has something to contribute. In their own way through their local community, this is where we can have a large

IMPACT!

So, take a break from the consumer driven world, and plant a garden.
Care for the commons by picking up litter in the neighborhood. Really, there is no limit to what one can do to make a difference!

After you're done, you might feel better, others may be inspired to(o) Contribute and HELP WITH THE CAUSE!

It never ends because everyday is earth day!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Earth Day addendum


Look around today and you see just a snapshot of the annual continuum of nature.

Visit your favorite places often and you might notice the subtle changes over time.

Prairie Crab Apple, Malus ioensis, in the composite photograph showing changes to the tree and the surrounding area from two seasonal perspectives, same view angle.

Earth Day Message 2009

Local involvement is necessary to impact ecosystem restoration. Teaching and empowering others along the way through personal example and sharing is essential. We have the ability to participate today, keep the land healthy and insure our communities are making a difference with the each local ecology and ecosystem.

This is the mission of Localplanet

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Help that turtle cross the road!

Carolyn Starks writes in Sunday April 5, 2009 Chicago Tribune:

Illinois' second largest colony of Blanding's turtles needs to cross a newly built 4 lane Algonquin Road, speed limit 40 MPH. The Illinois Dept of Natural Resources (IDNR) has put up "Turtle Crossing" signs to warn motorists.

It seems people are getting out of their cars to help the turtles and it seems many folks are putting them back where they started.

Carolyn ends her piece with a quote from Keith Shank of the IDNR, "For heaven's sake, if someone's going to help the turtles, help it cross the road to where it was going."

see story in Chicago Tribune: Link-
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-turtle-05apr05,0,7378302.story