Brush clearing time lapse video

This is just one day worth of work clearing brush on a client's property.  2 people.  7 hours.

Biodiversity loss: grossly underestimated and directly effecting our health

The loss of biodiversity is a issue that concerns me greatly.  My desire to preserve the amazing native plants and animals of the midwest is the reason I started my business.  As such, couple recent articles in Science Daily have caught my attention.  The first, Ecological Effects of Biodiversity Loss Underestimated, discusses how the complexity of an ecosystem can unwind as even a single species is lost.  It describes how many animals, particularly invertebrates can be "picky eaters" and require different food sources at different stages of their life.  If one plant species is lost from a community than several species of insects may go with it, leaving fewer food resources for the larger vertebrates that most of us think of as "wildlife".

This loss of species means we end up with a simplified ecosystem, and these simplified ecosystems will inevitably become unstable without the natural system of competition among various species providing checks and balances.  The article, Loss of Species Large and Small Threatens Human Health, Study Finds, explores the direct effect this has on people, such the increased transmission of infectious diseases like Lyme's disease.

So recent research is building the case for the importance of preserving ever scrap of biodiversity that we have.  Every plant and animal species is important, and we are today, right here in the midwest, loosing some species, particularly insects, before we even knew they existed.  Other such as "common" prairie plants we take for granted even though their populations are roughly 1% what they once were, with a corresponding loss of genetic diversity within these species.  The only way to stem this lost is to preserve and especially to restore natural areas and to re-create new ones where they have previously been lost.  That is the mission of Good Oak Ecological Services, I hope you will partner with us to achieve it.

Gentian Safari Rescheduled for THIS SUNDAY, Sept. 12th at 9am!

The title of this message says it all: due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict, we've had to move the Gentian Safari wildflower walk forward a week to 9 am on Sunday, Sept. 12th.

Enjoy the brilliant blues of our wild gentians, and if we're lucky we'll find a few ladies tresses orchids in bloom too. Meet at the parking lot for the Grady Tract section of the UW Arboretum at the southeast corner of Seminole Highway and the Beltline frontage road.

"Can't miss!" keynote speaker at UW Arboretum conference next weekend!

Next Sunday, September 19th the UW Arboretum will be hosting its annual Native By Design native landscaping conference.  I'm extremely excited to hear that this year's keynote speaker will be Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home.  This is one of the most powerful and inspirational books I have ever read.  I place it up on the high mantel shelf along side the works of Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson and Edward Abbey.  This is a unique opportunity to hear Dr. Tallamy speak here in the midwest that should not be missed by anyone interested in natural areas management or landscaping with native plants.

The conference runs from 8:45 to 4:30 next Sunday.  In addition to Dr. Tallamy's keynote, there will be a tour of the Arboretum's own native plant garden and several other workshop sessions to choose from.  For more information, see the UW Arboretum's website.

Roadsalt: toxic to our streams

Here is an interesting article on Science Daily that follows up on my previous post quite nicely.  Essentially, we put so much salt on roads in the winter that the run off kills organisms in nearby streams.  So please, only salt your driveway and walkway when absolutely necessary.  Careful shoveling can remove most of the frozen wet stuff that turns into slick ice, snow blowers are less effective at scraping every bit off of the ground.  Also, if you have the opportunity to be involved in the planning stages of a building project, site the entrance on the south side where sunlight can melt most of the hazardous ice away.  Lastly, work with your city or township to encourage reduction in the use of salt on roads.  Often it is just plain wasted.  Other times there are less toxic alternatives like sand, beat juice and cinders.

Science Daily: Many Urban Streams Harmful to Aquatic Life Following Winter Pavement Deicing