Invitation to spring

Spring is coming!  Refresh your senses by visiting Peacock Prairie! Click here for information.

MILWAUKEE AUDUBON SOCIETY

Center for Environmental Stewardship, Concordia University, Mequon, WI

Saturday, February 4, I was invited to do a book-signing at the Milwaukee Audubon Society's 32nd Annual Natural Landscapes Conference.  This was held at Concordia University's Center for Environmental Stewardship, one of the LEEDS Platinum green buildings in the United States.  (The Center gets geothermal and solar energy.)  Not only did the attendees appreciate my book, but I was able to become reacquainted with fellow environmentalists who I hadn't seen for decades.  One of them was Bill Volkert, Naturalist Emeritus of the State Horicon Marsh.  As keynote speaker he talked about the history and environmental significance of the largest cattail marsh in the U.S. The newly-energized Milwaukee Audubon Society with 1,900 members in six of the southeastern Wisconsin counties is led by Andrew Struck, President. I experience joy in meeting fellow environmentalists as I market my book and also talk about the importance of saving prairies and natural areas. 

Bernice

Meeting the Wild Ones

The Root River Wild Ones is a chapter of many Wild Ones groups throughout the United States.  They work on preservation of native plant species.  After all, if we only planted petunias and one kind of corn or only grew exotic plants, we humans would be the poorer.  Please know that our existence depends upon plants converting energy from the sun. Our vast array of native plants, some now very rare because of human neglect, are best conditioned to the natural vicissitudes of our environment.

Well, I enjoyed meeting Root River Wild Ones members when I presented  "The Importance of Saving Natural Areas" and did a book-signing on January 7.  They are a lively bunch in Racine and Kenosha Counties in Wisconsin.  Weekly they work with dedication to (1) preserve natural areas and eradicate invasive exotic plants and (2) share information with the community about the values of growing native plants.

If you haven't yet heard about the Wild Ones and want to do meaningful gardening (besides planting petunias), look them up on the web.  And if you want to join an exhilarating group of individuals, join the Root River Wild Ones who meet the first Saturday morning of every month.  The contact e-mail is:  native.plant.calvert@gmail.com.

Bernice, the author
 

WGTD FM-Radio (91.1)

If you live in Racine or Kenosha, WI, you may hear my talk about the value of prairie.  If not, and you live in Racine or Kenosha, stop in to hear my presentation on January 7, 10 a.m., at the Bristol School library on Hwy. 45, Bristol, Wisconsin.  If you can't do that, contact me to give a presentation to your favorite group.  I have a power point presentation showing outstanding flowering prairie plants and talk about "The Importance of Saving Natural Areas".  You also have the opportunity to obtain a signed copy of "Saving Peacock Prairie".

Upcoming Award Dinner

On Saturday, March 10, (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Audubon Chicago Region and the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project are awarding Bernice Popelka and Dr. Evelyn Pease Tyner the Grassroots Conservation Leadership Award.  The celebration begins with a dinner at the Discovery Center, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago.  Anyone interested in attending should contact Karen Glennemeier at kglennemeier@audubon.org.