Latest news with #nativePlants
Yahoo
3 days ago
- 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.
Fast Company
26-05-2025
- General
- Fast Company
Some homeowners are tired of overly manicured lawns—so they're embracing No Mow May all year
No Mow May encourages homeowners to stash the lawn mower each spring and let flowers and grass grow for pollinators and water retention. And if your neighbor's lawn already looks like a wildflower field most of the time, it could be more intentional than passersby might assume. The movement has expanded to 'Let It Bloom June' and the fall version: 'Leave the leaves.' Conservation and horticulture groups say year-round low-mowing while selectively leaving native plants to grow can save huge amounts of drinking water and lead to lasting and impactful ecological changes. When Amanda Beltramini Healan moved into her Nashville ranch house in 2016, the yard had been manicured for sale: a walnut tree, roses from a home improvement store and short grass. So she experimented, first with a 10-by-10-foot patch where she dug up the grass and sowed native seeds. Then she planted goldenrods in the culvert near the street, and let more of her yard grow tall without mowing. Local authorities apparently didn't appreciate her natural look: 'I got a letter from the city saying that I had to mow it,' she said. But then, a friend told her about No Mow Month signs, provided by the Cumberland River Compact, a local water conservation nonprofit. Soon she was signaling to the city that she's no derelict, but a participant in an international movement. These days, every month is No Mow May in parts of her property. While she keeps the growth shorter near the culvert and street, her backyard is filled with native grasses and plants up to her knees or waist. There's a decomposing tree trunk where scores of skinks and bugs live, birds nest under her carport and she regularly finds fawns sleeping in the safety of the high grasses. 'I have a lot of insects and bugs and that's protein, so the birds and the bird's nests are everywhere. Cardinals and wrens and cowbirds and robins,' she said. 'I wake up to them, especially during spring migration right now. It's just a cacophony in the morning and in the evening, especially when the mulberries come in.' The movement is popularized by groups such as Plantlife, a conservation organization based in England. American lawns, based on English and French traditions, are increasingly seen as a wasteful monoculture that encourages an overuse of pesticides, fertilizer and water. Outdoor spraying and irrigation account for over 30% of a U.S. household's total water consumption, and can be twice that in drier climates, according to the EPA. Some criticize No Mow campaigns as a fad that could invite invasive plants to spread unchecked without helping pollinators much, if only done for a month. A guide outlining No Mow pros, cons and limitations, written by consumer horticulture extension specialist Aaron Steil at Iowa State University, says reducing mowing to every two weeks and replacing turf with plants that pollinate all year long can offer more benefits without risking a citation or complaints. The No Mow effort does encourage people to think more about biodiversity in their yards, and many local nature organizations advise provide guidance on picking noninvasive plants that fit each region's climate and precipitation levels. Reducing mowing encourages longer-rooted native grasses and flowers to grow, which breaks up compacted soil and improves drainage, 'meaning that when it rains, more water is going to be captured and stored in lawns versus being generated as a runoff and entering into our stormwater system,' said Jason Sprouls, urban waters program manager for the Cumberland River Compact. Beltramini Healan isn't just letting just anything grow — she learned which plants are invasive, non-native or not beneficial to the ecosystem and carefully prunes and weeds so the keepers have room to thrive. Nashville homeowner Brandon Griffith said he was just tired of mowing when he decided years ago wait and see what comes up. Then he consciously added flowering plants to attract bees and bugs. Now he sees so many insects and pollinators all over his garden that the neighbors' kids come over to look for butterflies. It's about giving them the time 'to come out of their larva or their egg stage and be able to grow,' said Griffith. He said he's never heard a complaint — in fact, some of his neighbors also stopped mowing for a month each spring. His four-year-old son catches lizards, digs for worms and hunts for bugs in the yard. 'I just enjoy coming out and walking around,' said Griffith. 'And looking at it, it's kind of peaceful. It's kinda relaxing.' __
Washington Post
22-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Bored with manicured lawns, some homeowners adopt No Mow May all year long
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No Mow May encourages homeowners to stash the lawnmower each spring and let flowers and grass grow for pollinators and water retention. And if your neighbor's lawn already looks like a wildflower field most of the time, it could be more intentional than passersby might assume. The movement has expanded to 'Let It Bloom June' and the fall version: 'Leave the leaves.' Conservation and horticulture groups say year-round low-mowing while selectively leaving native plants to grow can save huge amounts of drinking water and lead to lasting and impactful ecological changes. When Amanda Beltranmini Healen moved into her Nashville ranch house in 2016, the yard had been manicured for sale: a walnut tree, roses from a home improvement store and short grass. So she experimented, first with a 10-by-10-foot patch where she dug up the grass and sowed native seeds. Then she planted goldenrods in the culvert near the street, and let more of her yard grow tall without mowing. Local authorities apparently didn't appreciate her natural look: 'I got a letter from the city saying that I had to mow it,' she said. But then, a friend told her about No Mow Month signs, provided by the Cumberland River Compact , a local water conservation nonprofit. Soon she was signaling to the city that she's no derelict, but a participant in an international movement. These days, every month is No Mow May in parts of her property. While she keeps the growth shorter near the culvert and street, her backyard is filled with native grasses and plants up to her knees or waist. There's a decomposing tree trunk where scores of skinks and bugs live, birds nest under her carport and she regularly finds fawns sleeping in the safety of the high grasses. 'I have a lot of insects and bugs and that's protein, so the birds and the bird's nests are everywhere. Cardinals and wrens and cowbirds and robins,' she said. 'I wake up to them, especially during spring migration right now. It's just a cacophony in the morning and in the evening, especially when the mulberries come in.' The movement is popularized by groups such as Plantlife , a conservation organization based in England. American lawns, based on English and French traditions, are increasingly seen as a wasteful monoculture that encourages an overuse of pesticides, fertilizer and water. Outdoor spraying and irrigation account for over 30 percent of a U.S. household's total water consumption, and can be twice that in drier climates, according to the EPA . Some criticize No Mow campaigns as a fad that could invite invasive plants to spread unchecked without helping pollinators much, if only done for a month. A guide outlining No Mow pros, cons and limitations, written by consumer horticulture extension specialist Aaron Steil at the University of Iowa, says reducing mowing to every two weeks and replacing turf with plants that pollinate all year long can offer more benefits without risking a citation or complaints. The No Mow effort does encourage people to think more about biodiversity in their yards, and many local nature organizations advise provide guidance on picking non-invasive plants that fit each region's climate and precipitation levels. Reducing mowing encourages longer-rooted native grasses and flowers to grow, which breaks up compacted soil and improves drainage, 'meaning that when it rains, more water is going to be captured and stored in lawns versus being generated as a runoff and entering into our stormwater system,' said Jason Sprouls, urban waters program manager for the Cumberland River Compact. Beltranmini Healen isn't just letting just anything grow — she learned which plants are invasive, non-native or not beneficial to the ecosystem and carefully prunes and weeds so the keepers have room to thrive. Nashville homeowner Brandon Griffith said he was just tired of mowing when he decided years ago wait and see what comes up. Then he consciously added flowering plants to attract bees and bugs. Now he sees so many insects and pollinators all over his garden that the neighbors' kids come over to look for butterflies. It's about giving them the time 'to come out of their larva or their egg stage and be able to grow,' said Griffith. He said he's never heard a complaint — in fact, some of his neighbors also stopped mowing for a month each spring. His four-year-old son catches lizards, digs for worms and hunts for bugs in the yard. 'I just enjoy coming out and walking around,' said Griffith. 'And looking at it, it's kind of peaceful. It's kinda relaxing.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How to manage the spread of invasive species in Central Illinois:
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Invasive species can present a danger to native plants and animals, but the Illinois Extension at the University of Illinois said there are ways to prevent them from spreading further. According to the Illinois Extension, Illinois ranks 5th in the U.S. for invasive species introductions. Non-native plants, animals and insects can spread quickly, and once they are established, they can be difficult to get rid of. Invasive plant species to look out for in Central Illinois Here are some simple solution — that anyone can use — to help slow the spread of invasive species in Illinois: Clean boots, boats, and other gear between sites (tiny invasive species can hitchhike) Avoid sharing landscape plants with other gardeners, source plants from trusted nurseries Become familiar with the invasive species in your area and find out which ones to keep an eye out for Do not move firewood Do not harvest plants if you do not know what they are Do not release exotic pets into the wild. Some of Illinois' most 'unwanted' invasive pests include the Spotted Lanternfly, the Red Imported Fire Ant and the Giant Hogweed. You can read about these invasive species and more here. To find out more information about managing invasive pests and plants in Illinois, visit the Illinois Extension online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
