Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s Post

Choosing the right trees can make all the difference in your landscape's success! 🌳 One of our recent blogs dives into the key factors for selecting trees in Cincinnati, including suitability, tree placement and native species that thrive in Ohio. Explore our tips to ensure your landscape is beautiful and sustainable. #TreeSelection #NativePlants #CincinnatiGardening #SustainableLandscaping

As a keen gardener, and one who is a bit obsessive about a manicured lawn… I was keen to see and learn about how the Mitie Landscapes Business is introducing flowering lawns across two of our contracts in Leuchars and Dudley. Flowering lawns are a perfect balance between traditional lawns and wildflower meadows to support biodiversity, they attract pollinators like bees, which play a crucial role in plant reproduction. With 35 UK bee species under threat due to climate change and pesticides, these lawns provide essential food for bees and contribute to a vibrant ecosystem for birds, bats, and other creatures. Tim Howell, Managing Director, Landscapes, Mitie, said: “As part of our strategy to be the UK’s greenest commercial landscaping provider, we’re always looking to trial new innovations to keep us leading the industry. Our customers are showing increasing demand for solutions that support biodiversity on their sites, so we look forward to delving into the results of these trials to understand how flowering lawns can develop nature positive landscapes whilst maintaining a neat and attractive appearance.” Find out more > https://ow.ly/KBf130sEQpT #FloweringLawns | #Biodiversity

🌿 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬 - 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 🐟 Overlooking the delicate balance in your aquatic garden can disrupt its entire ecosystem. To ensure a flourishing environment, it's crucial to understand the role of fish and wildlife. By creating a habitat that supports a diverse range of species, you can promote biodiversity and enjoy a thriving garden. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: Balance is key: Maintain a healthy ecosystem for fish and wildlife. ⚖️ Diverse plant life: Provide shelter and food sources with a variety of plants. 🌱 Provide hiding spots: Use rocks, logs, and aquatic plants for security. 🪨 Water quality: Keep water clean and clear for a healthy environment. 💧 Avoid overfeeding: Prevent water quality issues and harm to fish. 🍽️ Native species: Choose native fish and wildlife for sustainability. 🌍 Monitor and adapt: Regularly check and adjust to maintain balance. 📊 Creating a balanced ecosystem in your aquatic garden benefits both fish and wildlife, promoting biodiversity and sustainability. Embrace your role as a steward of nature and continue to learn and implement best practices for a harmonious garden. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dsxhEs3h #AquaticGarden #Ecosystem #Wildlife #FishCare #SustainableGardening #GardenDesign #LinkedInGardening

It's the 27th of May and we're nearing the end of NO MOW MAY, the one month that people who are interested in maintaining the biodiversity (wildlife habitat for real people) of their gardens don't mow their lawn. Why? Well here's an excerpt from the Plantlife website https://lnkd.in/eQ-ZJ9ug "A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground. With over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest grassy patches add up to a significant proportion of our land which, if managed properly, can deliver enormous gains for nature, communities and the climate." We have been doing "No mow May" in our garden for the last two years and before that we have left a patch in our garden for the last five years that we left fallow for nature to do its thing. The picture is of our quite small garden that this year we are combining nature and nurture by allowing some self seeding to mingle in with our own plants and last years plants that are now flowering ready to seed themselves. I have marked two areas, the first in red is the area that we are leaving fallow this year, the second in yellow is the area we left last year, the remainder is what has not been mowed this month. The reason for me showing this is so that you can see for yourselves what the difference just one year makes to an area by leaving it untouched. In about a week I will mow our lawn and leave just the area marked in read untouched for the rest of this year as a wildlife habitat for all sorts of animals, bugs and insects, as well and the plants, grasses, weeds - only weeds if you call them that, otherwise they're plants to enjoy. Today for me has been spent repairing a fence panel, planting some shrubs and sowing some flowers ready for summer blooming. What have you been doing?

#LearningBeyondFourWalls #TheNativeExplorer #WildlifeConservationBeginsInYourOwnYard I was an environmental conservation advocate well before I began my profession as a writer and engagement strategist for marketing and public relations. Yet, it was only in 2017 when I took a significant step toward activism. In 2016, Brian Ferris introduced me to then St. Louis Audubon Society Bring Conservation Home director, Mitch Leachman. Mitch taught me the term "naturescaping", which meant mindful landscaping practices that benefit local wildlife. How? By replacing non-native and invasive flora in one's garden with plants naturally found in the state/region before the arrival of European settlers. Shortly after, I met Sue Leahy, a force of nature. She was the first person to welcome me to her home address which she and husband Andy, transformed into a botanical garden filled with 100% native Missouri plants. A Wild Ones St. Louis board member, Sue shared the organization's strategy: The best way to introduce a newbie to native plants is to invite them to see your native garden. Over 10 years, Sue and Andy replaced their lawn with native plantings a little section at a time. Andy even created a lovely pond in their back yard, the size of a small swimming pool. Their property teemed with various chirping birds and buzzing pollinators. They even introduced us to several box turtles that claimed the Leahy yard as their home. The Leahys live just 10 minutes away from a busy city center that featured a Macy's, Target, Trader Joe's, and various other shops. It was awe-inspiring to enjoy natural beauty in an urbanized location. "There'll be that one native plant that will get you hooked," Sue explained, "for me, it was the Cardinal Flower." Lobelia cardinalis, with its scarlet florets, is a hummingbird magnet. Now who wouldn't want hummingbirds in their yard? I learned over time, that these little migrating birds found red flowers extremely enticing. As Brian and I learned about naturescaping, it dawned on me that our friends and neighbors could learn from our experience. Thus, in November 2017, we founded The Native Explorer naturescaping education initiative for homeowners. My background in advertising and social media made it easy for me to share our learnings through Facebook, and the website I created, TheNativeExplorer.org. The Native Explorer naturescaping education initiative is a passion project. Our work is voluntary and virtually unpaid, with the goal of spreading the message that wildlife conservation must, and can begin, in your own yard. We've even partnered with local government to share what we've come to learn about native plants. For our latest project which began in 2023, we were invited by city council members and City of St. Charles Parks to serve as consultants to turn a 1.6-acre vacant lot into a community nature park. I will update you on our progress when we break ground this year. So. Exciting. #GoWild @everyone

🌼🐝 Happy World Bee Day! 🐝🌼 Today, we celebrate our incredible pollinators who play a vital role in keeping our ecosystem thriving. Here in the Wye Valley National Landscape, we're proud to champion the Shrill carder bee (and bumblebee group) as our priority species. The Shrill carder bee gets its name from the shrill high-pitched buzz that it makes, which is higher than other bees. It is one of the rarest bumblebees in the UK. It is straw-coloured with a reddish-orange tail, a black band between the wings and black stripes on the abdomen. It is now found in only very few areas in southern England and Wales, including Chepstow and along the Gwent Levels! While the Shrill carder bee hasn't been recorded within the National Landscape itself, through conservation efforts we hope to see it thrive here in the future. Our priority bumblebee group is a collection of various bumblebee species, including the Brown-banded carder, Redshank carder and the Long-horned bee. These precious bees are crucial for pollinating wildflowers and maintaining our beautiful landscapes. Join us in protecting these remarkable creatures by planting bee-friendly flowers, reducing pesticide use, and supporting local conservation efforts. Together, we can ensure a flourishing future for our bees. Why not capture the magic of the Wye Valley with a snapshot of bees buzzing around our vibrant wildflowers. We would love to see your photos - #wyevalleynationallandscape. 📸Shrill carder bee (Ciaran Clark) #WorldBeeDay #SaveTheBees #WyeValley #ShrillCarderBee #Bumblebees #Pollinators #Conservation #wyevalleynationallandscape

🌱🚫 "Say No to 'No Mow May'? Here's Why! 🚫🌱 The STIGA team encourages a thoughtful approach to lawn care during May. While 'No Mow May' aims to support biodiversity by letting our lawns grow wild, it's essential to understand the balance in our ecosystems. STIGA believes in promoting biodiversity while maintaining our green spaces responsibly. By using STIGA's innovative mowing solutions, you can support your garden's ecosystem in a way that encourages the growth of a variety of plant species and supports wildlife, without compromising on the health of your lawn. Regular trimming encourages grass roots to spread and grow deeper, which improves drought resistance and overall lawn health. It also reduces the shock to the grass that can occur from cutting too much length at once, after a month of no mowing, which can weaken the lawn and make it more susceptible to diseases and pests. Leaving small sections of wild grass or creating a 'wildflower meadow' area in your garden year-round provides crucial habitats for pollinators, insects, and small mammals all season long. Unlike the temporary benefit seen during 'No Mow May', maintaining these areas throughout the year ensures that wildlife has consistent access to habitat and resources, leading to a more robust ecosystem in your garden. Let's embrace a balanced approach to lawn care, where we can support nature and maintain beautiful, healthy green spaces in our gardens. Thanks to @anderton.maintenance.cheshire for sharing this fab pic. 🌿💚#stiga #stigalawnmowers #STIGALawnCare #SustainableGardening #NoMowMay"

Planting for the Future: Embrace Native Plants This Fall! As we transition into fall, it's the perfect time to think about planting for the future! Choosing native plants and trees can transform your landscape while benefiting our local ecosystems. Here are some reasons to consider native species for your fall planting: Adaptability: Native plants are naturally suited to our climate and soil, making them more resilient to local weather conditions. They require less water and maintenance compared to non-native species. Wildlife Support: Native plants provide essential habitats and food sources for local wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. By planting native, you're helping to sustain our local ecosystem. Soil Health: Native plants often have deep root systems that improve soil health by preventing erosion and promoting nutrient cycling. This leads to healthier, more robust landscapes. Low Maintenance: Once established, native plants require less care, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. This not only saves you time and money but also benefits the environment! Aesthetic Appeal: Native plants offer a unique beauty that reflects the natural landscapes of our region. From vibrant wildflowers to majestic trees, they can enhance the visual appeal of your property. This fall, consider incorporating native plants and trees into your landscape. Not only will you create a stunning outdoor space, but you'll also be contributing to the health of our environment. Need help selecting the right plants for your garden? Contact HT Ground Maintenance today, and let’s make your landscape thrive for years to come! #NativePlants #FallGardening #EcoFriendly #SustainableLandscaping #PlantForTheFuture #Landscaping #GardeningTips #SupportLocalEcosystems #HTGroundMaintenance #GreenThumb

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As we transition into the cooler months of the year, our focus has shifted towards preparing the area for this year's tree planting efforts at Karlindy Nature Reserve in Mansfield. The initial phase saw the successful planting of the first 100 trees in a designated area over the last weekend in April 2024. However, additional attention was required to ensure their proper establishment through watering. The remaining trees are poised for planting once we've received substantial rainfall to provide an optimal environment for growth. Upon reaching the desired soil moisture levels, we will commence planting the 4500 native trees slated for this year. It's worth noting that these numbers exclude the Tree Planting incentives offered to customers who have purchased Delatite Valves. This marks the fourth consecutive season of our tree planting initiative at Karlindy Nature Reserve, with a commitment to continue this endeavor for at least the next decade. The trees planted three years ago are now established, evident in the increasing bird activity observed within the reserve. We are delighted to report the arrival of the Red-Breasted Robins for their annual visit during the first week of May 2024. Each year, their numbers seem to grow, alongside a diverse array of other native bird species. These developments signal promising prospects for the reserve and the ecological habitat we strive to foster. We eagerly anticipate witnessing Karlindy serve as a sanctuary for wildlife, offering a secure haven for animals and birds alike. As we progress, we will ensure to keep you updated on our achievements and milestones.