Wildflower Walk: This Thursday, July 29th: Peak Flowering at Atwood Community Prairie:

By late July dozens of species may be blooming simultaneously in prairies. Come enjoy this little prairie on the near east side. We'll meet at 6pm where the Capitol City Trail crosses Ohio Ave., just off of Atwood Ave.  We'll stay right on the edge of the bike path, and only walk about 1/4th of a mile, so this should be an easy walk for everyone to access.

Wildflower Walk: Thursday, July 14th 5:30pm!

Good Oak and Wild-Ones Wildflower Walk to Remnant Prairies: Come join us as we explore the amazing floral diversity of some tiny 'postage stamp' prairies north of Madison.  We will likely be visiting Ripp and Meffert Road Prairies, but we may visit other sites instead/as-well. We'll meet at 5:30 at the Good Oak World Headquarters, 205 Walter St. in Madison, to carpool. Bring some cold water to drink and dress for the warm weather but full pants are still strongly recommended.

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.