Loss of a Legend

Last week the environmental movement lost a powerful voice: Lorrie Otto.  I'll let this obituary tell her story.  The world is truly a better place for her having been here.  here are a few of my favorite quotes from this irrepressible woman:

"When I removed my grass and planted native plants, some neighbors were skeptical, but most of them came to love it.  In fact, some of them loved the yard so much that they're interested in buying it now."

"If we care about the Earth we could heal it by removing lawns, by finding alternatives to lawns.  You can do wonderful things on your own property to protect the environment.  Each little island, each corridor will help bring back the butterflies and birds."

"If suburbia were landscaped with meadows, prairies, thickets, or forests, or combinations of these, then the water would sparkle, fish would be good to eat again, birds would sing, and human spirits would soar."




- Lorrie Otto, founder, Wild Ones Natural Landscapers:  1920 - 2010

Orchid Hunt at Stricker's Pond

June 10th: Orchid Hunt at Stricker's Pond: A few species of orchid hide amid the woods at Stricker's Pond. Come join us as we look for these rare wildflowers along the trailside in this remnant natural area in the midst of suburbia. The hunt will begin at 6 pm and end around 8 pm or 9 pm. From High Point Road in Middleton, head east on Parmenter St, then take a right onto Westfield Rd. Park on the street near the paved path access to the park.
See you there.

May 20th: Wildflower Walk: Early Prairie Wildflowers of Koltes Prairie & Westport Drumlin

Join us for a hike through some amazing prairie remnants just a few miles out of town.  We'll see shooting star, wild geranium, prairie phlox, prairie violet, hoary pucoon and many other flowers in bloom at these high-quality prairies just north of Madison.  Don't miss it!  This event is co-sponsored by Good Oak Ecological Services and the Madison Chapter of Wild-Ones Native Landscapers.

We'll meet at 5:30 at the Good Oak World Headquarters, 205 Walter St. in Madison, to car-pool. If you are driving yourself, take Northport Dr. north out of Madison, which becomes Hwy 113. 1.7 miles north of Highway M, take a right turn onto Bong Road Park along the side of the road 0.6 miles east of Hwy 113.

For more information, see our wildflower walk web page.

Green Roof Presentation

On Thursday May 13th there will be a meeting to discuss green roof possibilities and opportunities here in Madison.  I will be giving a brief presentation on native plants for green roofs among a series of presentations by experts in fields relevant to green roofs.  Following these presentations there will be time for Q&A and discussion. The event will be held at the Sequoya Branch Library starting at 6pm. http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/about/sequoya.html#map  Refreshments will be provided.

GREEN ROOFS
IN MADISON

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 6:00pm
SEQUOYA BRANCH LIBRARY

Topic:  Building Earth Hall
Dr. Cal DeWitt, Professor of Environmental Studies
http://www.nelson.wisc.edu/community/faculty-staff/dewitt/index.html


Topic:  The Environmental, Economic and Community Benefits of Green Infrastructure
Emily Green, Sierra Club
http://www.wisconsin.sierraclub.org/


Topic: The Benefits of Green Roofs (the Water Resources Standpoint)
Michael Rupiper, Environmental Engineer
http://www.capitalarearpc.org/


Topic: Terra Caelum, the Production Facility for XeroFlor Pre-vegetated Mats
Bruce Johnson from TerraCaelum
http://www.terracaelum.com/


Topic: Pioneer Roofing
Anthony Mayer from Pioneer Roofing
http://www.pioneerroofing.net/?page_id=11


Topic: Hydrotech 
Ron Rediger and/or Bill Schaefer from Hydrotech
http://www.hydrotechusa.com/


Topic: Grants for Green Roofs
Sean Foltz, Associate Director of the Clean Water Program for American Rivers
http://www.amrivers.org/

Topic: Maintaining a Green Roof
Tom Miskelly Facility Manager at The First Unitarian Society
http://www.fusmadison.org/green/intro.shtml


Topic:  Using Native Plants for Green Roofs
Frank Hassler, Good Oak Ecological Services
http://www.goodoakllc.com/about.html

Spring WIldflower Walk: Today at 6pm!

If anyone is coming to our site to find out more about the Good Oak / Wild Ones wildflower walk for this evening, here is the info:

Meet at the west side of Heritage Heights Park on Madison's east side, at 6pm.   Take Cottage Grove Rd. east of Stoughton Rd, then go north on Meadowlark Dr. for 3 blocks. We'll take a hike through these two hidden gems on Madison's far east side and enjoy the rich suite of spring wildflowers.