Great Natives of Midwestern Ecotype
October 2009 Edition
Š 2009
Cover Photo: Female Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) on Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum). Montgomery, IL– August 2009
Great Natives Of Mid-western Ecotype
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GNOME N EWS THE BIG PICTURE:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
No Child Left Inside Act Plant Profile
4
Native on the Net
4
Best Books
4
Organization Spotlight
5
Native News
5
Planting with a Purpose
5
Native Nomenclature
6
Invasives!
7
Fantastic Fauna
7
Focus on the Future
7
Did you know... •
•
This is the 13th issue of GNOME News? Happy 1st Anniversary! That there were once over four billion chestnut trees in eastern US forests? Almost all succumbed to blight by the 1950s.
Environmental advocates– this is your call to arms!! The No Child Left Inside Bill (HR 3036) is on the table and needs your help. What is it exactly? Well, in a nutshell, it is a bill that will strengthen environmental education initiatives on a national level. It will only take a minute! Here is where the bill will have the biggest impact:
ο Funding to train teachers to deliver high quality Environmental tems to make time and resources Education and utilize the local environment as an extension of the available for environmental education for all students. classroom. ο
Incentives for states to develop State Environmental Literacy Plans to insure that every student is prepared to understand the environmental challenges of the future.
ο Encouragement for teachers, administrators, and school sys-
Environmental Education will be integrated across core subject areas.
It is time to heed the call and rally support for this vital proposal. With global warming, shrinking habitats, human population growth, and many other issues on the plates of
our youth, there may not be a more timely way to give them the tools that they will need in the future. If you are unsure about your congressional representative, go to http://www.house.gov/ Enter you zip and find your rep. Contact your members of congress to ask them to co-sponsor the NCLI bill (HR 3036).
GNOME’S MISSION Great Natives Of Mid-western Ecotype (GNOME) is an organization focused on the preservation and expansion of native floral and faunal species. The mission is to provide a netbased forum where mem-
bers can share their passion, plans, ideas, and questions with other people having a common interest.
1. Join our facebook group at
You can participate in many different ways.
3. Visit or link to the website 4. Pass on the newsletter.
http://www.facebook.com/ group.php? gid=45643568296
2.
Submit articles, pictures, stories, or plans for publication.
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Silene regia– Royal Catchfly Is it Cardinal Flower or Royal Catchfly? Name that native results were 33% and 66% respectively this month. It is Silene regia, commonly known as Royal Catchfly of the Pink (Caryophyllaceae) family.
"A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy." ~John Sawhill
This plant’s original distribution was between the western Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. It is not a common plant, and is often listed as rare, endangered, or threatened within its historic range.
ger species of butterflies like swallowtails, and hummingbirds. Flower form dictates that a long tongue or proboscis is needed to reach the nectar. Aphids will also use this plant occasionally.
Royal Catchfly is usually between 2-3 feet tall and not typically branched. Bloom time is mid– to late summer. One thing that makes this a unique prairie plant is the fact that it blooms red. Many pollinators are insensitive to this area of the light spectrum.
The nursery trade has been a help to this interesting and showy native. It is readily available at native seed/ plant sources.
Though the flowers are unscented, they are sure to attract attention in any setting!
NATIVE
ON THE
Sometimes wading through sites looking for good resources on native organisms is just too time consuming. This section should help!
Faunal associations include several of the lar-
NET NBII is a broad, collaborative program to provide increased access to data and information on the nation's biological resources.
This month’s featured site is :
National Biological Information Infrastructure http://www.nbii.gov.
While many consider this an “easy” plant to grow, I have had mixed results. I have found that it prefers average soil and lots of light. It does not establish as quickly as other natives, but it is well worth the wait!
Honestly, this site has way too many features for me to even begin to do it justice. It is one that I literally spent hours browsing.
A feature that I did find extremely powerful is the new search engine. Previously, I had mainly been using Google News when looking for information on natives. While Google still works fine, this one provides a comprehensive and specific result without having to wade through other sites to find the information. You’ll find great access to info!
BEST BOOKS– THE FUTURE OF LIFE The Future of Life by Edward O. Wilson is a masterful plea for a global land ethic. The author is a Pulitzer Prize winner and globally acknowledged biologist and naturalist. In this book he takes his own experience and knowledge to put forth solutions to reverse the environmental trends that have been happening since the human population began exploding after the Industrial Revolution.
One facet that I really found potent was how Wilson related standard economic ideas (like GNP) totaled with environmental impact. This gives a realistic picture of true costs associated with our actions. While there were certainly no lack of scary statistics and
information in the book, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had a positive tone and was actually optimistic. To me, that is no easy feat when talking about global degradation. I feel that it should be a must read for any intelligent world citizen. Read it for information and let it become inspiration for action!
Global environmental ethics with an optimistic outlook!
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O RG A N I Z AT I O N S P O T L I G H T : T H E N A T U R E C O N S E R VA N C Y “The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.” Mission statement taken from their websitehttp://www.nature.org Since its founding in 1951, this organization has accomplished a lot! Here are a few of their highlights:
•
Protected more than 119 million acres of land and
5,000 miles of rivers worldwide — and operate more than 100 marine conservation projects globally.
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Have more than 1 million members.
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Worked in all 50 states and more than 30 countries — protecting habitats from grasslands to coral reefs, from Australia to Alaska to Zambia.
The Nature ConservancyActing globally AND locally!
Membership varies in cost • Address threats to conserva- depending on the level you wish to give. Almost 80% of tion involving climate change, all membership fees to difire, fresh water, forests, invasive rectly to projects– not overspecies, and marine ecosystems. head. They are also a BBB certified charity!
NATIVE NEWS:
RETURN OF THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT The American chestnut was once the dominant tree in many eastern states. It was virtually wiped out in the early 1900s by an accidentally introduced Asian bark fungus, often called a blight.
One of the most promising programs comes from The American Chestnut Foundation and University of Tennessee Tree Improvement Program.
While some organizations have focused on pure genetics taken from Today there are several organiza- trees that have survived the blight, tions that are working on bringing this program takes things one step this large and valuable tree back farther. Taking some genes (about 6%) from the Chinese chestnut tree to its historic range. and using American chestnut genes
PLANTING
WITH A
(the other 94%) they get the positives of the American chestnut like size, edible nuts, and tree shape coupled with the blight resistance of the Asian variety.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” ~Albert Einstein
While results will take a long time to fully understand, young trees have shown great promise. Planting of these trees began in September in three southern National Forests.
PURPOSE:
NATIVES AND NEIGHBORS It is a story that is played out across the country– people plant natives– neighbors complain, and the city ordinances are called in to referee. Usually when the situation gets to the boiling point, it won’t matter how much education or public relations you try to give others– the opportunity for understanding is lost. So– what can prevent this from happening? Communication.
When planting natives, it is always a good idea to know local “weed” laws and keep city hall up to date on what is going on. But often the city won’t pay attention to your yard until someone complains.
plants, sharing plants, using signage like “habitat in progress” or getting your yard certified through various programs, and even hosting a website highlighting your journey can all go a long way to helping your cause.
Keeping neighbors informed can go a long way to their acceptance of your “wild” yard. Starting small, providing a buffer area between yards, showing them interesting
While this is certainly not foolproof, it is an essential component of natural landscaping. Keeping people informed helps to ease their fears and frustrations rather than feeding them.
Being a native ambassador requires communication in addition to action.
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NATIVE NOMENCLATURE: HIGH FREQUENCY WORDS TO KNOW Nomenclature: a set or system of names or terms, as those used in a specific science, art, or industry. Over the past year, GNOME has focused on bringing you useful information related to native flora and fauna. There have been repeated questions related to certain terms that are frequently used both here, and pertaining to natives in general. This section may not be of value to those already acquainted with this vocabulary. It is prepared for those that are not necessarily enthusiasts and have a limited background knowledge on native vocabulary.
“A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life” ~Winston Churchill
Naturalized This one really has two definitions when it comes to native plants. The first is "to plant randomly, without a pattern." The idea is to create the effect that the plants grew in that space without man's help, such as you would find in a wild environment. The second definition is "the introduction of animals or plants to places where they flourish but are not indigenous." A plant like Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) would be an example of a naturalized (and invasive) plant.
Check your “native” vocabulary! Ecotype Native Plant Within a species, "an One would think that this ecotype is a genetically is an easy one. It actually is a term with a lot of unique population that is adapted to its local envigray area and controversy surrounding it. The ronment." What this means is a plant, let's say definition that I use is " a plant indigenous to the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), can be United States prior to European settlement that found throughout the Midwest. Plants from southhas evolved naturally in its regional ecosystem." ern Missouri would have evolved differently than those in northern Minnesota. Length of day, winter severity, soil composition, and other environNon-native, Ornamental, or Exotic mental factors made each population a separate All three of these words typically mean the same ecotype. Where a plant originated can make a thing- "a plant not found in an ecosystem natudifference in its ability to survive and thrive in your rally, having been introduced either directly or landscape. indirectly by human activity." Most plants sold at places like home improvement stores, traditional nurseries, and discount retailers are of this variCultivar ety. This would include plants that have escaped Ok, maybe this isn't very common, but it is a good cultivation and spread as well. word to have an understanding of. A cultivar is "a variety of a plant developed from a natural speScientific name: “A formal name according to an cies and maintained under cultivation." Here is an internationally accepted standard that consists of example of how a cultivar works. There is a spetwo levels of its taxonomic classification, the gecies of plant called Foxglove Penstemon nus and species.” This usually follows the Linnean (Penstemon digitalis). These are native and grow system. There are many common names for nain various ecosystems naturally. Let's say sometives– especially plants. By using the scientific one found an ecotype that had unique characterisname, you can be positive of what you are getting tics, or bred a plant so that the normally green leaves have a more red color. Instead of planting if it has been correctly labeled at the nursery. viable seeds to get more, they cultivate this redleaved plant by dividing the plant's roots and conInvasive tinue this until they get many of the genetically These are the worst of non-native and naturalized same plant. Since this is a special cultivated variorganisms. As the word implies, it is "a plant or ety, it is then named something. This plant beanimal that invades a habitat to the detriment of comes something like Foxglove Penstemon native species and reduces biodiversity.” (Penstemon digitalis) 'Husker Red'. If you see single quotes behind a plant name, it is usually a cultivar. * For more information and additional terms visithttp://livinglandscapescompany.webs.com
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I N VA S I V E S RED SWAMP CRAYFISH Can a “native” be invasive? The answer to that is YES!
can move over land, making it more able to spread on its own.
Procambarus clarkia, also known as the red swamp crayfish is a native of the southern US. Frequently raised in aquaculture operations for educational (remember those crayfish from class?) and restaurant use, this species has been introduced throughout regions where it is not found naturally.
These predators can significantly reduce amphibian populations as well as those of native crayfish. They also vary in coloration (see above right).
If it is native to the US, then so what, right? When organisms are introduced to new areas, whether it is regionally or internationally, they often throw off the evolutionary balance of biodiversity found originally in that location. Two reasons that this invader is so dangerous is that it reproduces prolifically and also
Native Range=Brown Introduced Range= Red
They are voracious feeders and borrowers (see right). Their burrowing can release phosphorus and other nutrients into the water causing an increase in algae blooms. This reduces water quality recreational use of bodies of water.
F A N TA S T I C F A U N A : T H E W O O L Y B E A R This fall, thousands of children across the United These caterpillars are unique in the fact that they States will have the experience of capturing a bear hibernate or overwinter in the caterpillar stage instead of inside of a cocoon. They produce their – a wooly bear that is. own antifreeze which allows them from freezing solid. The common caterpillar of the Isabella Tiger Moth (Isia isabella or Pyrrharctia Isabella) can be In the fall (which is why they appear more frefound throughout all of North America. quently) they look for prime hibernation spots often in leaf litter. Now there is a good reason not The “wooly bear” is usually brown and black. If to rake! one looks really closely, one can see little yellow “spots” underneath the bristles. These spots are They emerge from hibernation when temperatures called spiracles. Spiracles are the respiratory openings for the caterpillar (there are 9 of them). increase. They will then feed for a few weeks and spin a cocoon in the spring. They will compete their life cycle as adult Tiger moths. One common myth is related to this caterpillar being able to predict the severity of the winter based on the width of its band. This is not true. What the band does show, however, is how far along it is in its life stage. Usually the narrower the brown band is, the older the caterpillar is. Wooly bears feed on a variety of grasses and weeds. These include dandelions and nettles.
“Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar” ~Bradley Millar
Great Natives of Mid-western Ecotype (GNOME) is an organization focused on the preservation and expansion of native floral and faunal species. The mission is to provide a netbased forum where members can share their passion, plans, ideas, and questions with other people having a common interest in native species.
Great Natives Of Mid-western Ecotype Primary Business Address 1753 Wick Way Montgomery, IL 60538
Check out our site!!!
E-mail: GNOME.Native@gmail.com
We’re on the Web! http://gnomenative.webs.com/ There’s no place like GNOME!
GNOME
Join our facebook group! (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45643568296)
This is our primary forum location. The newsletter as well as open discussions are there and also other links to people and groups that focus on natives.
Got an article? Now accepting member submitted news and photos! Once you have something to share, send it to the email listed at left. Monthly news articles will, of course, give credit to the contributor. Everyone welcome!
Fantastic Fauna p. 7- http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp? recNum=BU0165
ON THE FUTURE
Focus on Future p.8- http://www.justkiddingcartoons.com/i/Cartoons/ Cartoon_192wtmk.jpg
Fantastic Fauna p.7http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/enlarged.asp?imageID=18013
Home. Stop and think about what feelings that word invokes for you. Does it bring up a certain house, a certain location, a certain person or special memory?
Invasives p.7- http://www.easttennesseewildflowers.com/albums/ Critters/Copy_of_Crawfish_hole2.jpg
Invasives p.7- http:// farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2722525436_b2710b6531.jpg?v=0
Invasive Map p.7- http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/Crustaceans/maps/ pr_clarkii.gif
Native News p.5- http://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2009/09/090923133002.htm
Invasives p.7- http://newsofthenorth.net/article/Environment/ Sustainability/New_invasive_crayfish_found_in_Wisconsin/25319
Big Picture Photo- http://www.kids.ct.gov/kids/cwp/view.asp? a=2574&q=413076
Pictures
References
Articles
FOCUS
There is no doubt in my mind that the word home invokes feelings of happiness and comfort in most people. It isn’t the building. It isn’t the neighborhood. It isn’t even a special object that makes a home. It is the feeling or feelings that YOU associate with those things that mean “home”. Outdoor education is an essential component that is often overlooked and undervalued in our modern world. In The Big Picture this month, I discuss one program meant to change that. But for me, it comes down to one thing. We need to make children feel at “home” in our natural world. There are a lot of ways that this can happen. Parents play the biggest role, but so do park districts, naturalist, and teachers.
concept of home. This is what needs to happen for our children.
Bringing nature home. Once children feel connected to the environment and see it as home, they invariably develop feelings of compassion and concern for improving their environment. We call this a sense of ownership in the educational world. If you think about those feelings that you connect with home, you will see that all of them involve that sense. That is why “home” is different for everyone. While we all have a different idea of home, we can agree with the
Children need to understand the concept of environment. It doesn’t matter if all kids love spiders, know what an invasive plant is, or can name the aquifer that feeds their faucet. What matters is that all kids begin to understand and have a connection with the environment in some form. This might mean that you have to overcome your ecophobia. You may need to get past the idea of grass lawn being enough “nature” for children. It is time for us to help our children feel at home in nature. NCLI is one step in that process, but ultimately it comes down to the views of adults that get transferred to children that will have the biggest impact. We may not live to reap the benefits of such lessons. But be sure that they will make a difference.