Nature-Inspired Gifts for the Holiday Season
Looking for gifts for the loved ones in your life or even yourself? Consider one-of-a-kind, long-lasting gifts that are good for the local environment too! Let’s check out what’s available at our WPS Trellis Gift Shop for your holiday shopping this year. For the Book Lovers We all have a loved one that enjoys reading […]
How Animals Use Dead Wood as a Building Block for Habitat
When you are out on a walk and you see all the dead trees lying on the ground, do you ever think “why aren’t these being cleaned up?” Did you know that the dead wood in your yard or in your neighborhood is more important than it may seem? Dead wood plays an important role […]
Mushrooms: The Silent Helpers
Look down at your feet. Did you know that right under the ground, there is a network of living organisms communicating and helping our ecosystem and you? Right below there’s a huge web of fungi working hard to keep the world running. Fungi are best known for their fruiting bodies, mushrooms, but most of their […]
Taking Flight: 5 Different Types of Bird Wings & What They Mean
Before airplanes, humans sought inspiration from nature when studying the possibilities of flight. They studied birds, insects, and even seeds that flutter through the air. Over time, these remarkable organisms have evolved and adapted to fit their habitats. Today we’re looking at birds, and not all birds fly the same way. Differences in the shapes […]
Wisconsin Migrators: Which Birds Make the Annual Journey South
Fall is here! As the weather will continue to change from a crisp fall day into a chilly winter, Wisconsin birds prepare for their 600-mile non-stop trek to warmer weather to overwinter. Then, as Wisconsin defrosts in the spring, they’ll return to enjoy the springtime and warm summer temperatures. This week we’re digging into what […]
Threats to Monarch Migration
Monarchs are not only beautiful butterflies, they also play an important role within the pollination cycle and local ecosystems. But what are they up to when you don’t see them in the colder seasons? Monarchs Migrate Just like many birds, monarch butterflies migrate south for the winter. Their delicate bodies are not able to survive […]
What Are Meadows & Why Are They Important?
Meadows are a beautiful and peaceful habitat. We can enjoy the sounds of nature in an open environment. A meadow is more than just an open field. Meadows are diverse, dynamic habitats dominated by herbaceous plants, including native grasses and wildflowers. Meadow habitats are often overlooked, but they are critical homes to many wildflowers and […]
How to Help the Trees in Your Neighborhood & Beyond
Trees are one of the most helpful plants on Earth. They are an important part of ecosystems everywhere, providing habitats as well as food for numerous animals and organisms, including humans. They help clean the air around us, provide us with breathable air, and give shade during the hotter seasons. Throughout the years, trees have […]
Good Bugs You Need in Your Garden & How to Protect Them
Creepy crawlies in your garden can seem alarming, but a surplus of certain bugs and insects in your garden is a good thing! It shows that your garden is healthy, well versed in plant species, and also a place for bugs to thrive. Many bugs help your garden. The first reason to keep good bugs […]
Dragonflies, Other Indicator Species, & Why Their Habitats Are Important
Last week, we dived into what makes a dragonfly a dragonfly, but did you know that dragonflies are widely used by the scientific community as an indicator species? What is an indicator species exactly? Well, let’s dive into the meaning behind them and why they’re important! What is an Indicator Species? Scientists monitor certain species […]
