Land Conservation

'Don't worry, I come in peace!' Meet the one-of-a-kind pelecinid wasp

by Tom Lewanski

update

July 12, 2017

Of the 18,000 species of ants, bees and wasps in North America, the pelecinid wasp is among the most interesting. This insect is so unusual it shares its family (Pelecinidae) with just three other species in the world, with no others in North America. But don't worry, that 'stinger' isn't what it looks like. >>

Saying goodbye to a dear friend, Tecla Karpen

by Tom Lewanski

article

June 21, 2017

Tecla Karpen and students in "Karpen Woods"

Losing our cottonwoods: What’s at stake?

by Karen Schik

article

November 7, 2016

A key species of floodplain forests, Eastern Cottonwood trees aren't regenerating naturally in the floodplains. FMR ecologists and volunteers are using cottonwood cuttings or live stakes to re-establish a floodplain forest in Hastings.

Installing cottonwood live stakes in the floodplain forest near Hastings

Seeds for stewardship: Volunteers collect native prairie seed at Heritage Park

by Adam Flett

article

October 14, 2016

A flourishing prairie. Dozens of volunteers. Fall colors. Heaps of seed collected for future restoration efforts. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped collect native seed — and to photographer Rich Wahls for capturing such a lovely morning working for the river!

Habitat restoration volunteers collecting native seed in the prairie.

A writhing mass of … Indiangrass seed?

by Karen Schik

article

October 7, 2016

When things move that shouldn’t it’s a cause for investigation. The self-seeding motions of a pile of volunteer-gathered Indiangrass seed caught this FMR ecologist by surprise.

Earthworms invade our forest floor

by Alex Roth

update

September 1, 2016

When people think about natural seasonal changes, we usually look up — bud break, bird migration, leaf change, etc. But what about the natural world under our feet? There's a buzz of activity, including the effects of one particularly damaging invasive species: earthworms. >>

Blazing blooms!

by Karen Schik

article

August 9, 2016

July and August are the most flowerful months in our native prairies and wetlands. Enjoy a few of the beauties FMR ecologists have recently come across in their field work.