The Wrack

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has nominated the St. Louis River in the northwest part of his state to become the 28th National Estuarine Research Reserve. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will determine whether to add the site to the Reserve system. The Governor's press release is here…

Simple measures can help prevent disease. Do the tick tuck.

A naturalist turns up early coralroot under a skunk cabbage leaf.

Eight interpretive signs got installed along the Salt Marsh Loop and in the native plant demonstration garden.

Laudholm Native Plant Sale pre-orders are now being accepted. Plan ahead and get your order in by May 2 (it's pre-order only again this year). We've added an online form to make it easy. Volunteers Pat Smith and Lynn Jourdan, who coordinate the sale, have put together a great list of 40 species native to Maine. Whether you have already started incorporating native plants into your landscape, here are Pat's&…

The pattern strengthens over time. Twice a year, in November and February, the Wells Reserve parking lot and adjacent grassy areas attract a small number of Snow Buntings. Without surveilling the area more regularly than I do, it's hard to say whether they're around every day. Whenever they do appear, it's a brightening experience. The four that were pecking through sandy puddles and winter-worn weeds this …

Time flies. Its nearly a year since the last Winged Wednesday. My 2007 quest for 99 Common Birds has ended 19 species shy of the goal, even though I compiled a list of 112 species at the Wells Reserve during the year. It is an interesting coincidence that I also tallied just 80 of the 99 so-called common species during 2006. Most of my misses in 06 were ticked in 07, but once again it is clear…

A song for Karen Stathoplos.

While marking fields for mowing on the newly acquired Lord Parcel this past August, Reserve Manager Paul Dest was thrilled to discover two stems of the showy yet threatened native plant, the Northern Blazing Star. Paul made sure the lonely stalks were well marked to avoid being mowed over.

As part of our 25th anniversary, we created a video to tell the story of the very early days of the effort to save Laudholm Farm. The video, produced by William Lord, debuted at our celebratory dinner.