Invertebrates are amazing critters! Last week, before the temperatures took a nose dive, many critters were out like crazy fueling up before the long cold winter.

How do invertebrates possibly survive our brutal Wisconsin winters?! All sorts of critters have amazing adaptations to survive long periods of temperatures below freezing. Invertebrate species (bumblbees, spiders, butterflies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, etc) have a variety of adaptations. Some overwinter as adults either migrating, like the Monarch, or inducing a hibernation-like state of "diapause". Of the hibernating species, some are freeze tolerant, controling where the ice crystals form in their bodies, protecting their cells and organs often in combination with the same method the freeze intolerant species use producing an anti-freeze like chemical in their body of polyhydroxy alcohols. 

Other species overwinter as egg or larval stages, in protected or insulated locations, waiting for warmer temperatures to emerge in the spring. As the temperatures drop, we're still out in the parks working away to improve the biodiversity in our parks. Come out and join us and observe the critters busy with their winter preperations! 

Join us to learn to identify what's blooming in the park... asters galore...during our Botany Walk, Wednesday morning from 9:30-11:30am at our Riverside Park branch.

Join the ROOT times (Restoring Our Outdoors Together) at each of our Urban Ecology Center branches each week to improve biodiversity, connect to the land and help restore and improve vital habitat and native Wisconsin plant community types!

ROOT Times: (Reminder that ROOT may be cancelled if the temperature is above 100F, below 0F or if there is thunder and lightening)

*Please, arrive dressed for the weather in clothes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty. What to expect this week:

Menomonee Valley ROOT: Help us add diversity to our young woodland areas through tree trimming and planting of additional species of trees. See what assisted forest succession looks like! 

Wednesdays 9-11am  
Thursdays 9-11am 

Washington Park ROOT:  We will be working on buckthorn removal! This woody invasive species quickly takes over in our wooded areas. The non-native berries are poor nutrient sources for our birds and other critters. Help us remove buckthorn to make space for future plantings of more high quality diverse of habitat.

Wednesdays 9-11am  

Thursdays 3:30-5:30 pm 

Riverside Park ROOT: This week we will be preparing our native plant nursery for the winter. We'll also be weeding and removing invasive species. We'd love your help to ensure those baby plants are here to improve our biodiversity next season!

Tuesdays 9-11am; Tuesdays 2-4pm 

Fridays 2-4pm

1st Saturday of the month 9:30-11am 

Recent Land Stewardship Blog Posts:

• New England Aster & Downy Gentian
• Native Plants to Know: Indian grass
• Plant Defenses
• Native Plant Spotlight: Meadow Blazing Star