Great Natives of Midwestern Ecotype
February 2012 Edition
Cover Photo:
Bombycilla cedrorum on Juniperus virginiana (Cedar Waxwing on eastern red cedar) Š 2012
September 2009– Oregon, IL
Great Natives Of Mid-western Ecotype
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GNOME N EWS THE BIG PICTURE:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Midwestern Wolves Delisted Plant Profile
4
Native on the Net
4
Best Books
4
Organization Spotlight
5
Native News
5
Planting with a Purpose
5
Priority Plants
6
Invasives!
7
Fantastic Fauna
7
Parting Ponderings
8
Did you know... Otters use their long whiskers to feel for prey in murky water or muddy bottom substrate? That the third egg for the Decorah eagles was just laid on 2/24/2012?
On January 27, grey wolves were officially removed from the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in several states in the western Great Lakes region. The states affected by this change include Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Wolf delisting is a result of meeting population recovery goals set by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The core area of this recovery of wild wolf populations is in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It is believed that there Management of wolves changes from federal to state systems are now over 4,200 wild individuals living in the core recovery Several states had proposed a The major concern is that delisting five year waiting period before area at this time. will allow people to kill wolves that legally hunting or trapping are viewed as threatening to liveTo some, this is wonderful news wolves. Most of these proposals stock, people, or property. This and speaks to the success of the were not passed and at least becomes subjective very quickly, ESA. Population of grey wolves one state is considering a hunt- but there are many cases of predain Wisconsin reached a low in ing season for 2012/2013. tion and damage by wild wolves in the mid-1980s, with as few as these states annually . 15 individuals living in the state. Wild wolves still will be protected That number is nearly 3,000 in all of the states, at least as Another concern is that other game animals. The delisting now. states, particularly those in the affects the areas of states north west, will join the pack of delisted But the delisting has some of Interstate 80 and east of high- states because they now have a way 83 North. Outside of that groups howling for justice. precedent to follow to delist wolves. area, the ESA remains valid.
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.
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2.
Submit articles, pictures, stories, or plans for publication.
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Coreopsis palmate– Prairie Coreopsis If you need a plant for a dry, sunny place where other things you have planted failed to thrive, this one might do the trick! Prairie coreopsis was originally found in the prairies of the Great Plains region, particularly in drier, sandy, or loamy locations.
“What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on?
This plant usually grows to between one to three feet tall. Leaves are narrow and vary from a medium to darker green. The ones I have grown became red tinged late in the growing season. Bloom period seems to last a relatively long time– almost a month in early summer. The flowers themselves are about 1.5” across and have eight petals (florets). This species tends to have less ragged edged flowers than other coreopsis species. Faunal associations include many types of insects including bees, wasps, moths, and butterflies. Some beetles will
Prairie coreopsis likes full sun and can grow well in poor soil with little attention
NATIVE
ON THE
This month’s featured site is : Decorah Eagles www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
~Henry David Thoreau
also consume the pollen, but most insects come to this plant for nectar. Mammals will occasionally eat this plant as well, but they do not cause significant damage in my experience. This could also be due to its dense growing pattern as well. I like this plant because it is not fussy about where it grows as long as it gets full sun. Another positive characteristic of the plant is that it is an early bloomer as far as prairie plants go and will add nice color at a time when other prairie plants are still growing leaves. It can be an aggressive plant. It has rhizomatous roots and will form dense colonies if left alone.
NET The Raptor Resource Project (http://www.raptorresource.org) is dedicated to research and ongoing education related to birds of prey. They are the ones responsible for the live streaming, 24/7 coverage of the bald eagle nest near Decorah.
Last month I reported in Native News that one of the young eagles (D1) from last year’s Decorah eagle nest returned to its home range. While watching the live video The site above is bursting with new via computer or mobile phone life and viewers again this season.
(Ustream app) is addictive, the wealth of information at the site is a wonderful resource as well. The wonders of the intimate life of these eagles is as inspiring as it is interesting. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get to know our national symbol a little better. I bet you can’t just tune in once!
BEST BOOKS–
WELCOMING WILDLIFE TO THE GARDEN: Welcoming Wildlife to the Garden: Creating Backyard and Balcony Habitats for Wildlife by Catherine J. Johnson, Susan McDiarmid, Edward R. Turner is a great “how-to” book for those looking to add wildlife to their home environment. One of the things I really like about this book is the scale of the projects. Many wildlife gardening books focus on having large space to devote to
something akin to a restoration. the organization of this book. You That is great if you have the can find fun things that children can space, but many do, as well as larger and nature enthusimore involved projects. asts don’t. This book gets as The book can also give small as winyou a better understanddowsill habitat. ing of what wildlife is looking for in habitat. It is Another great ecologically based, so it aspect of this does more than just give book is its family you a project to complete. friendliness. It provides some basics Skill level, mateabout native flora and rials, and time fauna. Check your public are all part of library or look online!
G N O M E N ew s
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O RG A N I Z AT I O N S P O T L I G H T : LAND TRUST ALLIANCE “To save the places people love by strengthening land conservation across America.” http://www.landtrustalliance.org/ There are several different types of land trusts. Most of them involve non-profit organization with conservation emphasis. There are community based as well as privately owned kinds. The Land Trust Alliance (LTA) is the national convener, strategist and representative of more than 1,700 of these land trusts across America.
This organization has been around for over 25 years. With a membership of over 1.5 million people, including professionals, volunteers and supporters, the people involved truly do make a national impact. Preservation and conservation are primary goals. But along with saving and improving land manPrivate land conservation agement, they also are driving to for the public good change the way land development takes place in the US. Be sure to check out how you can get involved by checking out the Find a Land Trust link. One reason I really like LTA is Here you can quickly find counbecause it enables people to ty-level groups for your state. make a difference locally where progress can be seen by those You can get involved with one involved. of these or join as a supporter beginning at $35.
NATIVE NEWS:
CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS & PLANT DEFENSE Most people never consider plants preparing for an insect siege, but new research published by Rice University biologists shows that is exactly how plants resist an insect invasion. The study found that most plants are very attuned to circadian rhythms. There are many known reasons for this: respiration, maximizing energy produc-
PLANTING
tion, and pollination timing for pollinators to name a few. But biologists and biochemists found that plants also use these rhythms to time their chemical defenses to ward off insects at the time they are most active.
ing the opposite photo cycle. In this group, plants in “nighttime” mode were decimated by insects in “daytime mode”. The control group proved to be relatively resistant to insect damage in the normal circadian cycle.
In the study, plants and insects were placed together during their usual day and night photoperiod (control). Other plants and insects were placed together dur-
The findings confirm that circadian -regulated genes are also connected to wound response and that plants anticipate, prepare, and defend themselves based on this.
WITH A
“Today's problems cannot be solved if we still think the way we thought when we created them.” ~Albert Einstein
PURPOSE:
“ C O N TA I N I N G ” A G G R E S S I V E P L A N T S Home landscaping with native plants can be very rewarding, but it also comes with some unique challenges. One of these challenges is that many natives can spread aggressively if left to their natural state. Here are some tips on reigning in those aggressive plants. Tip 1– Subsurface “Contain”ment This method can reduce plant spread by underground rhizomes and roots. Mints and coreopsis are good examples of plants that spread this way. When you initially put in a plant like this, you can place them in a container (such as
a five gallon bucket) with the bottom cut out. This allows for drainage and root growth, but keeps lateral growth to the diameter of the container (usually). Some people will leave the lip of the container slightly above ground, but I prefer to keep it at ground level for aesthetic reasons.
be removed to reduce the number of new plants that will germinate. Cutting just before seed set– especially with plants with aggressive tendencies– will help control these plants.
Tip 3– Share your Seedlings Dividing mature plants or transplanting new seedlings has many benefits. The first is that others will benefit from adding natives to their landTip 2– Snip the Seed Heads scape. The second is that you can Many native plants are prolific better manage garden composition (if seeders. I prefer to go with a that is desired) by removing unwantnatural look and to leave seeding ed plants. Groups like Wild Ones will to its own path (this also provides often sponsor others needing plants for wildlife), but seed heads can if individuals can’t be found.
Keep lateral spreading to a minimum with this tip!
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PRIORITY PLANTS-
TOP TEN NATIVES TO ATTRACT WILDLIFE Last month I asked GNOME facebook members what they might be interested in learning about in February’s feature article. Renata L. suggested that I discuss essential plants for attracting birds to the back yard. I was reminded of a statistic from Doug Tallamay. Did you know that about 96% of all native bird species feed their young insects, even though adults may prefer fruit? So it goes to reason that if you provide for insects, the birds will come. I decided to create a “Top 10” by plant type that not only supports birds and other larger wildlife, but also that are important for insects in various stages as well. Another important factor in my listing is suitability for the home landscape. I chose to use genus rather than specific types because of regional variances. I also list my favorite for Midwestern areas within the genus and some other good plants to consider if attracting wildlife is a priority for you. Large Deciduous Tree: Quercus –Oaks There are over 65 specie of oak trees found in the US. These support a whopping 543 species of butterflies and moths. Being mast trees, they also feed many other forms of wildlife. White or bur oak would be my choice for the Midwest. These generally large trees (not all oaks are) also provide habitat for nesting and roosting as well as leaf litter for overwintering animals. Some close runner-ups are the Betula spp. (birches) and Acer spp. (maples). They support 411 and 277 Lepidoptera species respectively. Just be sure not to plant Norway Maple trees. They are invasive and inhibit growth beneath and around the tree. Smaller Deciduous Tree: Prunus– Plum & Cherry While Prunus has many fruiting trees, these two types support over 450 insect species, many of them butterflies. Birds also find these fruits almost irresistible! Be careful when considering some, such as the black cherry, as they are not the cleanest trees to have around. If you want something slightly less messy, try Malus (crabapple or apple). Look for blight resistance in these types. Another viable option might be Salix (willows– not the weeping kind). They also boast hosting over 450 species of insect. Multi-stem Understory Bush: Cornus- Dogwoods While unable to secure specie numbers for this one, I find dogwoods to be wildlife magnets. Azure butterflies and Cecropia moths use these as larval hosts. Birds frequently eat the berries in summer or fall, depending the plant type. Grey dogwoods sucker and make great colonies, but my favorite would have to be the pagoda. Its tiered branches make it as attractive as it is useful. Other types to consider would be the Amelanchier spp. or Viburnum. Both of these have many species that are also beneficial to wildlife. Conifer: Juniperus– Cedars The aromatic eastern red cedar is an essential for wildlife. Its small berries are eaten in fall and winter by many bird species. (see cover) While it is not used by as many species of insects as the deciduous trees, it makes up for it in the cover it provides for nesting
and resting birds all year long. If you are up for something larger you can try the Pinus strobus, commonly called the white pine. These are nice in groves where needle fall is a natural mulch and good for acidic loving plants like native blueberries and cranberries (also good wildlife plants). Sunny Herbaceous: Solidago– Goldenrods While not the showiest or most often planted, the goldenrods support over 115 species of butterflies and moths. With over 125 types of goldenrod native to the US, you are sure to find one for your landscape. They are nicest in the fall and provide late season pollen and nectar as well as seeds for songbirds. Other prairie plant species worth trying are Aster spp, Asclepius (milkweeds), and Helianthus (sunflowers). Partial Shade Herbaceous: Carex– Sedges I am thinking mostly about savanna here. These plants don’t get enough attention in my opinion. Pennsylvania sedge is a beautiful example. Many species use these as larval hosts. Seeds also provide small mammals and songbirds with food. Another good choice would be Eupatorium. Called boneset or Joe Pye Weed, you can pull out that foreign butterfly bush and attract more frequent fliers with this species! Partial to Shady Herbaceous: Viola– Violets Hosting almost 30 insect species, these are lovely groundcover. Viola sororia (dooryard or common blue) is my favorite. Plant a few and soon have many. These are also the Illinois State Flower. Wild ginger (Asarium canadense) is also an elegant ground cover as well. You could even enjoy the roots! Wetland: Asclepius– Milkweeds While Carex are a mainstay in wetland areas, milkweeds provide for a lot of species too. They usually get larger than most sedges, but are showier. I like showy and swamp milkweeds. These are essential for declining Monarch populations. One might also try Cephalanthus occidentalis (button bush) for a more woody structure that likes wet feet. Vine: Vitis- Grape Vitis Rotundifoli is commonly called the wild or Muscadine grape. These provide summer and fall fruit, which can be used by humans too. These vines also give good cover and nest habitat for birds. Try Virginia Creeper for a showier vine. Trumpet creeper is good for hummingbirds and flowers (it is also VERY aggressive). Grass: Panicum– Switch grass Larval host, edible seeds, and cover are all positive wildlife attributes of this family. Airy and tall, this clumping grass makes a statement too. If the five feet of switch grass is too tall for your space, utilize little bluestem or prairie dropseed instead. Both also have positive wildlife benefits– especially en masse.
G N O M E N ew s
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I N VA S I V E S ROUND GOBY
Apollonia melanostomus or Neogobius melanostomus, commonly known as the round goby, is a relatively new Midwestern invader and high on the watch list. First found in the St. Clair River in 1990, this invader hails from the Black and Caspian Sea area. It is believed that it was introduced via the ballast of an international ship, much in the same way the invasive zebra mussel did (the zebra mussel may be facilitating the expansion of round goby because they are a food source). This fish is between 3-6 inches long. Coloration is usually grey with black or brown spots. The single most important physical characteristic is the single, fused pelvic fin. This is a key identifying feature.
Round gobies are territorial and aggressive, both in defense and in feeding. They are bottom dwellers and have several traits that give them an advantage over native fish. It has a well developed sensory system which allows it to feed in near darkness. It can also tolerate a variety of water habitats. It competes with native species for food and
Confirmed Round Goby Sightings
have reduced native species numbers in areas where they are present, They are frequently caught by people fishing. They readily take bait. Anglers are believed to be the first ones to identify new areas of invasion. Keep any goby caught, freeze them, and report them immediately if seen.
F A N TA S T I C F A U N A : T H E N O R T H E R N R I V E R O T T E R Lontra canadensis has played and continues to play an important role in the history of North America. The furbearing trade in North America has long meant that otters were hunted and trapped for their luxurious and durable skin. In some parts of the western US and in Canada, these animals are still responsible for significant income. But this has come with a high price. Unfortunately otters have been extirpated in many places where they were originally found. Hunting and trapping are not solely responsible. These mammals are particularly susceptible to pollution and will move away from areas with tainted water. It is a member of the weasel family, which also include skunks, mink, and badgers. They are typically between 35 and 51 inches long and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds. Usual coloration is a dark brown to almost black on the backs lightening to a golden brown under the body and near the face. It is semi-aquatic, but access to permanent open water is a key to its ability to live in any area. It is formed perfectly for aquatic hunting. It has web-
bed feet, streamlined and broad head with small ears, a powerful, muscular body, and long and strong tail. Males and females do not usually stay together and the male plays no part in raising the young. Breeding usually takes place in late winter or early spring. An interesting fact is that the females can employ delayed implantation to put off having young until the right den (called a holt) or adequate food supply is found.
"Our health relies entirely on the vitality of our fellow species on Earth."
~Harrison Ford
Otters main diet is aquatic animals. Crayfish, frogs, turtles, and fish are the main prey. They are active most often at night or dawn or dusk most of the year. Prey is eaten in the water unless it is very large, which is then taken to shore to be consumed. Otters have been reintroduced into some of their original waterways. This has met some resistance. Fisherman often see them as competition, but they usually eat slower non -game fish.
River otters are making a controversial comeback in some Midwestern waterways.
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E-mail: GNOME.Native@gmail.com
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.
Check out our site!!!
We’re on the Web! http://gnomenative.webs.com/ There’s no place like GNOME!
Big Picture- http://www.newstrib.com/articles/news/local/default.asp? article=31989&aname=Federal+rules% 3A+Wolves+not+endangered+north+of+I-80 Plant Profile http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/ pr_coreopsisx.htm Native News p.5– http://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2012/02/120213185654.htm Invasives p.7- http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx? SpeciesID=713 Fantastic Fauna p.7- http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/ accounts/information/Lontra_canadensis.html
Big Picture Photo- http://wolves.wolfpackls.com/ Best Books p.4- http://www.metrofieldguide.com/wp-content/ uploads/2010/10/welcoming-wildlife-book.jpg Planting with a Purpose p.5- http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQE8Uf6SFxY/ Tf2CusgOgAI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/C0R1jdyhNr0/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG Priority Plants p.6- http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/top-10-bestwoody-plants-in-conservation-gardening.html Priority Plants p.6- http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/homeowners/ backyard-wildlife/landscaping-backyard-wildlife Invasives map p.7-Ihttp://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/fish/maps/round% 20goby%20points.jpg Invasives p.7- http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/img/goby_id.gif Fantastic Fauna p.7- http://www.elwhainfo.org/files/Image/River% 20otter.preview.jpg Parting Ponderings p.8- http://rlv.zcache.com/ i_love_wood_bumper_sticker-p128266581629684077z74sk_400.jpg
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References
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PARTING PONDERINGS: A N E W A P P R E C I AT I O N You must really have to love wood a lot to put a bumper sticker on your car that tells the world that you do. At least that is what I thought when I was younger and would see this bumper sticker on a vehicle driving around in my home town. While I have always had an appreciation for wooden objects and furniture, I can honestly say that I never really thought too much about the wood itself. That is until recently. As it happened, my boys wanted to buy a Shut The Box game that they saw at a retail store right after Christmas. Being the cheapskate that I am, of course I told them no, but that we could make one for less– and it would be much nicer and of better quality to boot. So I looked online and combined several ideas that I liked about some that I saw there. I made a
plan and materials list and got right to work. I ended up selecting some rough American red oak to use. It was native and I have a red oak in my yard. I do not consider myself a woodworker. Nor do I have the “proper” equipment that most woodworkers would view as essential tools. I figured that people have been working with hand
tools and wood longer than with the electrical ones- and that I could do that too. I could have never anticipated the intimacy I would come to have with that piece of red oak. Working with hand tools to make an accurate rip cut or mitered corner brought me to see this wood in a whole new light.
I began to see the story lines in the grain of that wood. I could see dry and wet years in the cross cuts I made. I saw a spot where the wood had healed and whorled the grain around the scar. I could almost smell the earth in the dust and shavings that dropped off as I worked. In short, I began to see the tree instead of the wooden object I was making. Now that is all I look for when I see an object made of wood. The feel of finished wood is something that no polymer can ever replicate. While I was wrong about making a cheaper box (mine cost almost double the retail one), I feel the knowledge and appreciation I gained from the project still made it a bargain. And when I hand it down to my kids, I hope they will appreciate it as much as I do.