Monthly Challenges

Each month we are going to encourage you to do something new here on the blog.  Perhaps it will be to visit a new conservation area, attend a family friendly event, go hiking/biking, planting a new vegetable, and so much more.  Our goal with this is for you and your family to have fun and even perhaps take a photo and send it to us so we can feature you at the end of the month.  Also each person/family that completes the challenge and emails us will be eligible for our monthly drawing for a family friendly prize.  If you have any questions please feel free to let me know: kaitlynwintersbradley@gmail.com

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This Month’s Challenge:

Go outside and visit one of the hundreds of natural areas around mid-Missouri.  This could be a trail, conservation area, state park, city park, or anywhere in between.  Click on the link below for a list of areas around Columbia. http://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/find/places?area_name=&location%5Bdistance%5D=50&location%5Borigin%5D=65201

To be eligible for this month’s drawing please send: (to kaitlynwintersbradley@gmail.com)

1.      Your name

2.      # of people that completed challenge

3.      Where you went

4.      One fun fact- did you see something new, smell something funny…?

5.      Also please feel free to send us photos if you wouldn’t mind us posting them and help be an inspiration to others!

Drawing will occur on May 30^th, so get outside and enjoy the outdoors!

May Sustainability Article

Landscaping with Native Plants

Summer is in the air and many of us are inspired to start on outdoor projects.  Did you know that using a lawn mower for an hour creates as much pollution as driving a car 20 miles?  Also, when you learn that 30-60% of urban fresh water is used for watering lawns and landscapes, can you then picture others around the world without access to basic clean water while here we are soaking our lawns!

This month we are focusing on native plants, as Olivet’s Sustainable Living Steering Committee is planning a field trip on Saturday morning, June 25^th to visit a wonderful example of native plant landscaping at a local Columbia home.  Before we get too far along though, I would like to explain that a native plant is one that is indigenous to a given area in geologic time.  For example, in Missouri that means a plant that has been in evidence here since the last ice age 10,000 years ago.  These are plants that have developed naturally over time – evolving with Missouri’s geology, climate, and wildlife. 

Why should you plant native?

·         Wildlife prefer native plants from the small bumblebees to large elk

·         Can help resist invasive non-natives that threaten wildlife habitat and crops

·         Preserve our natural diversity and increase biodiversity

·         Can save you money--reduce fuel for mowers, reduce pesticide/fertilizer application, etc.

·         Can save water over the long term – once established native plants need less water than flowers we usually plant around our homes

Steps to Get Started:

1)      Know your sun and soil conditions

2)     Consider your purpose and property

3)     Develop a plan

4)     Choose materials and methods

Follow this link http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/05/nativeplantsrevision_2012_07web.pdf  to Native Plants for Your Landscape, an attractive full-color 12-page publication by the Missouri Department of Conservation that includes practical suggestions and garden plans for many applications – whether you have a balcony garden, a city lot or a larger space.

As always, if you have any questions please let me know! 

Kaitlyn Bradley – kaitlynwintersbradley@gmail.com

~All the flowers of tomorrow are the seeds of today~