Latest news with #nativePlants
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
WisDOT shares the importance of burn management
(WFRV) – According to experts with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, prescribed burns and burn management play an essential role in the well-being of native plants in the state. In a release shared by WisDOT on social media, burn management is said to be a cost-effective and efficient way to manage plants while also preventing the spread of invasive species. Packers to participate in separate joint training camp practice sessions with Colts and Seahawks Just this past spring, officials say crews completed a controlled burn in Dane County at the World Dairy Wetland Site near I-39/90. Two months following the controlled burn, native plants were seen growing in abundance. The following are said to be benefits of controlled burns: Stimulates the growth of native plants Improves habitat Helps prevent invasive species Releases nutrients into the soil For more information about prescribed burns and their benefits, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
In pictures: Invasive plants killed off in Corrieshalloch Gorge
Invasive non-native plants have been cleared from crags of a 60m (197ft) deep gorge in the Highlands. Corrieshalloch, south of Ullapool, was created by meltwater from glaciers at the end of the last ice age about 11,000 years ago, and has a 45m (148ft) mile-long canyon takes its name from Gaelic for "ugly hollow".National Trust for Scotland (NTS) received funding for the work which involved contractors abseiling into the gorge. The plants removed or killed off included Japanese knotweed, rhododendron ponticum and American skunk species, brought to the UK from other parts of the world for planting in gardens, can smother native plants and damage fragile said the work at Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve was part of its wider efforts to conserve native species.
ABC News
07-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
WA government takes control of land next to children's hospice to allow development of 'a beautiful park'
The WA government has moved to take control of land next to the new children's hospice in Swanbourne from the City of Nedlands, after the council opposed plans to turn it into a parkland for terminally-ill children. The Perth Children's Hospital Foundation's plans to transform what it called a 'dust bowl' into a green oasis were blocked by the council, which owns Allen Park. The Lands Minister John Carey has moved to excise 3,000 square metres of land at Allen Park from council control, pending a motion in state parliament in the middle of this month. That would pave the way for the PCH Foundation's $4million plans to create a green space next to Boodja Mia, a $34 million respite and palliative care centre for children, due to be completed later this year. The City of Nedlands Council opposed the proposed park development, saying it wanted to build its own park on the A-Class reserve. A-Class classifications are used to protect areas of high conservation or high community value, but Mr Carey argued the council had not been maintaining the land in "any meaningful way". "It is a dustbowl. The Nedlands council have done nothing with this land and then right at the last minute they've said they do have a plan," Mr Carey said. "For the City of Nedlands to make some sort of claim that this land is of any significant or extraordinary value is simply false." The project will include the planting of up to 10,000 native plants, boosting tree canopy at the site to 62 per cent. Mr Carey said the park would be open to the public while also catering to patients and their families at the nearby hospice centre. The City of Nedlands has been contacted for comment.
CBC
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Sudbury, Ont., seed producer helping expand national seed production through new partnership
A seed company in the Sudbury, Ont., community of Lively is helping with Canada's national re-greening efforts by working to expand national seed production. Northern Wildflowers produces flower, grass, shrub, and tree seeds for home gardening and agriculture purposes. The company is one of 13 recipients nationwide selected to receive funding from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada's Seed Orchard Program. It's an initiative which works to expand native seed production to increase seed supply for re-greening and land restoration efforts. "The best process to re-green a large site is with seed through something called seed-based restoration," said Jenny Fortier, founder and CEO of Northern Wildflowers. "So, you would apply seeds from the species that are native in that area. So, the seed is that key piece to being able to complete those projects." Fortier said the partnership with WWF-Canada will provide funding to producers, including Northern Wildflowers, to hire and train more seed collector interns, and support growers in expanding their seed farming production. "All of the other native seed growers in Canada that we talk with, everyone's expanding and growing as fast as they can to serve supply, but, you know, that's still within limitations," explained Fortier. "So, this partnership really helps us to do that just a little bit faster." She added the partnership comes as Canada works to meet its "30 by 30" pledge of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters by 2030. Fortier said the largest obstacle challenging land restoration efforts is a lack of Canadian grown native seeds in the market. WWF-Canada said on its website that increasing the native plant supply through initiatives like seed orchards is "essential." "Restoring healthy habitats isn't possible without these locally-sourced seeds and we're delighted to work with this amazing group of grantees and partners to bring restoration projects to life," said Ryan Godfrey, community action specialist with WWF-Canada. Since 2021, WWF-Canada says the seed orchard program has supported grant recipients in Ontario in planting 35,500 native plants in 20 seed orchards and harvesting 72 kilograms of seed from 142 different native plant species.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Experts remove nearly 100 reptile eggs after record-setting discovery in residential backyard: 'Nested in burrows that were all interconnected'
A homeowner in Miami, Florida, recently made headlines after contacting Humane Iguana Control to remove iguana eggs she found in her backyard. Local news station Fox 35 reported that what they found was jaw-dropping. There were 98 iguana eggs in the backyard, which, for context, is a lot — it could be a new record. Technician Michael Ronquillo said, "Three female iguanas had nested in burrows that were all interconnected, and each had laid her own clutch." Iguanas, which are invasive to Florida, have a 93% hatch rate, meaning dozens of the eggs would have turned into destructive juveniles. Iguanas are a nuisance in Florida because they damage homes and infrastructure. They dig burrows that can weaken seawalls, sidewalks, and even dams — iguanas in West Palm Beach famously caused $1.8 million in damage to a dam. They're also aggressive and unsanitary, defecating near pools, schools, and playgrounds. "We get calls from schools where kids are playing under trees, and the iguanas are just up there … going to the bathroom. Constantly," Ronquillo said. These animals prey on native bird eggs, disrupting ecosystems. With Florida's warm climate and lack of predators, iguanas introduced in the 1960s have thrived. The population is now estimated to be over a million. One way to protect your landscaping and the ecosystem from invasive species is by rewilding your yard. Florida experts suggest planting native species that iguanas don't like, such as Coontie, Simpson's Stopper, muhly grass, beautyberry, and citrus trees. These native plants deter iguanas from eating up your landscaping and making a home in your backyard, and they support pollinators, which are essential for our food supply. Upgrading to a natural lawn and using climate-smart landscaping techniques like xeriscaping also saves homeowners money and time by slashing utility bills and requiring less maintenance. Even partial lawn replacements can cut back on maintenance costs and reduce your risk of becoming the next iguana nesting site. Commenters on social media were impressed with the work by Humane Iguana Control. One person on Instagram said, "Nice work!" Another added: "Awesome work you guys do. Very proud of everything you have accomplished." Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
