TRAVEL GREEN WISCONSIN  - AN ECO-FRIENDLY WAY TO TOUR

As consumers have become more aware of the effect their choices have on the environment, they are basing many of their decisions to spend on not just the cost or desirability of goods or services, but also on their environmental impact. In keeping with Wisconsin's "heritage of stewardship," Wisconsin Department of Tourism introduced the "Travel Green Wisconsin" program in 2006 to promote smart, environmentally friendly business practices. The program is the first of its kind and is a voluntary certification program.

It works this way. Applicants (who are businesses engaged in some aspect of tourism in Wisconsin) must earn a minimum of 35 points in order to be certified under the Travel Green program. The points are earned by the applicants pledging to use sustainable green business practices from nine different categories. These categories range from Communication and Education, to Waste Reduction, Energy Efficiency and Wildlife and Landscape Conservation and Management. For example, an applicant may earn points by such things as implementing a recycling program, using native plants in landscaping, installing low flush or dual flush toilets, using Energy Star qualified appliances and installing a rain garden.

There are numerous benefits to being certified under the program; it is not only good for the environment, it is good for the bottom line. Certified businesses can use the Travel Green logo on all its promotional materials and will be included in all promotional materials generated by the program. This certification can prove a valuable incentive for travelers. Recent surveys have shown that up to 50% of travelers are willing to pay more to stay at an eco-friendly accommodation. It can also add up to energy, water, waste disposal and product savings for business owners. Kudos to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism for initiating this innovative program which is a win-win for businesses, travelers, and the environment.

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HOW PRAIRIES PREVENT EROSION - PRAIRIES 101

 Historically, one of the least known but most essential functions of prairies and native plantings has been erosion control. Erosion is the removal from the earth's surface of soil or rock due to water or wind processes, and then the depositing of it elsewhere. While erosion is a natural process, human activity - primarily unsustainable agricultural practices - has dangerously accelerated the process.

 The Dust Bowl is a dramatic example of the drastic consequences of erosion. The Dust Bowl, a series of dust storms occurring from 1930-1940 in the Great Plains, was one of the worst ecological disasters in modern history. Beginning in the 1920s farmers began to employ mechanized deep plowing which displaced the natural deep-rooted grasses that normally kept the soil in place and stored moisture even during times of drought. In addition, the farmers removed trees which allowed the wind to race across the land, gathering speed. Removing the soil's natural anchor combined with the drought caused nearly 1/3rd of the Great Plains to blow away, or erode, during that period.

Erosion can also occur due to water. This is why anchoring river and stream banks is so important. River and stream bank erosion can lead to loss of productive land, stream bank instability, damage to downstream property, high sediment loads, reduction in water quality, loss of native aquatic habitats, and damage to roads, bridges and dams.

The most effective method to prevent erosion is to increase vegetative cover on the land, which helps to prevent both wind and water erosion.  Due to their very deep root systems, native grasses are the best choice for erosion control. Their roots firmly anchor the soil and they have the advantage of being fully adapted to the local climate and soils, thus requiring little maintenance to thrive. In addition, using natives helps control the invasion of non-native, highly opportunistic grasses that spread quickly and reduce biodiversity.


 

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Our employee spotlight is Rebecca Olson, president and owner of Olson Ecological Solutions, LLC (OES). OES and Tallgrass Restoration (TGR) have formed a working relationship in December, 2012. OES specializes in planning and consulting for conservation and restoration of our natural resources. Prior to starting OES, Rebecca was the Director of Land Preservation at the Natural Land Institute, the first land trust in Illinois.

We asked Rebecca why she wanted to work in ecological restoration and she said that "I have always relied on my surroundings as a source of happiness, energy, and inspiration. I have lived in some amazing places and others that lack these qualities. It is this awareness and desire to change attributes of my surroundings, combined with my love for the natural world, that have led me to ecological restoration as a means of making a community a more attractive and viable place to live."

When asked what she liked best about TGR, Rebecca exclaimed: "The People! Tallgrass is an energetic, intelligent and passionate group of people. Being part of this team allows me to better serve my clients and introduce new opportunities for partnership and collaboration."

In addition to running OES, Rebecca enjoys skiing, running, cooking, gardening and reading. Rebecca resides in Rockford, IL with her husband and two children. She received her BA in biology with a minor in chemistry at Denison University and her MS in Ecology at Colorado State University.

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PLANT I.D. QUIZ - Early blooming trees and shrubs 

As we move out of winter and into early spring, we will start to see some flowering trees and shrubs.  Let's see how many you can correctly identify. 

 1.  This native flowering tree harkens the beginning of spring with its lovely pink flowers.  The small pea-like flowers grow not only on the branches of this tree but also on the trunk, appearing before the leaves unfold.  The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees such as blueberry bees and carpenter bees.  The fruit are flattened, dry, brown, pea-like pods.  Which of the ones below is it? 

a.   b. c. 

    empress tree                                    red bud                      Japanese flowering crabapple
(Paulownia tomentosa)                   (Cercis canadensis)                     (malus floribunda)

2.  This native tree has showy, cup-shaped flowers that bloom in April and May after the leaves unfold.  Each flower has a cone-shaped cluster of pistils surrounded by six petals.  It is the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee and is one of the largest of the native trees.  Which one of the ones below is it?

a.       tulip Tree                  b.    Ohio buckeye                     c. forsythia

    (Lirodendron tulipfera)            (Aesculus glabra)                     (Forsythia x intermedia)

3.  This native tree flowers from April to June. The small, inconspicuous flower is surrounded by what most people mistake for petals but which are actually bracts, specialized types of leaves. This tree will grow to a maximum of 33 feet high and is often wider than it is tall when mature. The short-tongued bee is a specialist pollinator of this tree although many other bees, flies, butterflies and beetles are attracted to it.  Which of the ones below is it?

a.   b.  c.  

      black locust                   serviceberry                  dogwoods
  (Robinia pseudoacacia)       (Amelanchier sp.)           (Cornus sp.)

FOR ANSWERS CLICK HERE..... 

The Plant Corner

NATIVE

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Indian Grass adds interest to winter landscapes.

 Indian Grass is one of the most common native grasses used in restored prairies.  Standing about six feet tall with a soft, 

Indian Grass is found in Conservation Reserve Program plantings, as pictured here with intermittent Little Bluestem.

conspicuous seed head, Indian Grass is an attractive addition to backyard gardens and natural settings on business campuses and golf courses. You will likely see Indian Grass used in no-mow plantings along highway right-of-ways and on steep slopes due it the ability of its long roots to stabilize soil. It is a type of "bunch  grass," which grows in a large bunch rather than forming sod. Small animals form burrows out of the bunches when they are covered with insulating snow.   Indian Grass also provides food and structure important for grasshoppers and other large insects that provide food for the state endangered Mississippi Kite and other raptors.

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The Plant Corner

INVASIVE

Creeping Charlie

Glechoma hederacea

Creeping Charlie invades the forest floor of disturbed woodlands.

Creeping Charlie is a low-growing perennial that creeps along the ground in shady, moist areas of lawns and gardens. It becomes obvious in spring when its numerous, tiny lavender flowers bloom. During other times of the year, it is identifiable by its round, scalloped leaves that resemble miniature versions of Common Geranium. Creeping Charlie is a problem in natural areas because it can take over the forest floor within disturbed woodlands, choking out more desirable vegetation or preventing it from germinating. Establishing and maintaining a healthy stand of desirable vegetation will combat Creeping Charlie, and a consistent maintenance schedule will help to keep it under control.

TALLGRASS CLIENT WINS CONSERVATION AND NATIVE LANDSCAPING AWARD FOR TALLGRASS WORK 

On December 11, 2012 the Heatherwood Estates Homeowners Association (HOA) in Schaumburg won a Conservation and Native Landscaping Award from Chicago Wilderness for work performed by Tallgrass Restoration.

"The Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards celebrate the critical work of diverse organizations to enhance the health of nature in our region," said Melinda Pruett-Jones, Executive Director of Chicago Wilderness.

The awards recognize park districts, forest preserve districts, nonprofit organizations, local governments and corporations for exemplary use of natural landscaping, ecological restoration, and conservation design. These practices create and protect habitat for a variety of native plant and animal species and result in important environmental benefits for both people and nature.

Tallgrass Restoration worked with the HOA and the Village of Schaumburg beginning in 2008 to convert their   turf and rip-rap lined pond into a diverse native shoreline that has become a home to several different reptile, amphibian and bird species. The homeowners have been dedicated to their natural shoreline, and each year they look to improve the habitat quality. Over the years they have even elected to install dead trees in the water to provide perches for turtles and waterfowl, and habitat for fish. Tallgrass is very happy for Heatherwood Estates, and is honored to be providing them with continued environmental services.

More about Chicago Wilderness: 

Chicago Wilderness is a regional alliance, consisting of more than 260 organizations, that connects people and nature. For more information, visit www.chicagowilderness.org.

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TALLGRASS RESTORATION CONTACT INFORMATION