Nature Notes ~ Summer 2022

Sharing Love for Native Species

Get ready for some heartwarming summer inspiration!! A few weeks ago, I went to the printers to take a look at a proof of one of my images. Kristen is part of the amazing team at the print shop that scans my originals and creates fine art prints from the digital files. She's always so cheerful and brightens my day whenever I stop by!

Kristen and I were talking about the color match for the proof, and I shared a few details about the image. Then we got on the subject of conservation, wildflowers and native plants!

​Kristen mentioned that her partner is a creative spirit and loves music, art, and spreading the word about planting native species. She makes up small seed packets and shares them all around her neighborhood, which is right outside downtown Denver. These wonderful friends of nature are encouraging everyone in their local community to plant native seeds! 

​Kristen gave me one of their sweet packets filled with purple coneflower seeds. ​I'm so excited to plant them in my backyard! They'll be a great addition to my pretty columbine flowers!

I left the print shop feeling so happy and inspired by what these ladies are doing in their own neighborhood. They're giving away free seeds, not only to beautify everyone's gardens, but to also increase native species by creating ribbons of habitat. What an awesome way to raise awareness and spread the message of conservation! 

As we all plant more natives, we're providing important connectivity for wildlife, bridging the gap between our gardens and larger natural areas so nature can thrive, even in cities. On behalf of native plants and the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds that depend on them, a big THANK YOU to Kristen and her friend for helping our beautiful natural world! Thanks for inspiring us to share our love for nature even more!

Wishing you all an inspiring summer filled with colorful native plants and wildflowers all around!

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Winner of this Year's Earth Day Drawing!

Across the country from California to Maine and from Colorado to New York, past winners of the Annual Earth Day Drawing are celebrating their love of nature! This year's winner is Nancy Stranahan from Ohio! Nancy is the director and founder of the Arc of Appalachia, a preserve system in southern Ohio and a very special, nurturing place for native plants and animals. The Arc has protected over 7000 acres of land, and its preserves are home to over 1100 plant species and hundreds of animals!

The staff at the Arc has preserved entire forest communities, connecting natural areas and providing stewardship for these remarkable places in the Appalachian foothills. Nancy, along with Arc volunteers, staff and trustees are dedicated to raising awareness for conservation through public education and nature immersion programs.

​For her free print in honor of Earth Day this year, Nancy chose Home for Sugar Maple. She is passionate about trees and plant communities, and protecting the rich diversity of life our Eastern forests provide. I am delighted and honored to share this image with Nancy, a beautiful voice for nature!​

As you set your sights on a magical place to visit this summer, please consider exploring the Arc of Appalachia! It's a destination that will nurture your soul, complete with over 50 miles of hiking trails, beautiful lodging facilities, and an amazing forest museum & interpretive center where you can learn about native species, forest literacy and stewardship. The Arc is a place of tranquility that truly honors our natural world in all its infinite beauty. Please visit their website here to plan a trip you will always remember! 

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Conservation Corner

Have you ever wished for an effective weed control without all those harmful chemicals? I have a recipe for one that will do the trick! It's made from items you probably already have around the house. So far, it really works in my yard! Here's the simple recipe:

• 1/2 cup of table salt
• 1/2 gallon of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of soap (I use Sprouts dishwashing liquid)

Just grab an unused spray bottle, mix all the ingredients, and there you go! This method works best if you pull the weed first, then spray any remaining stalk/root with the liquid. Spraying when you expect a hot, sunny day is best. For more info on "green" weed control, please click here! 

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Walk with the Natives

How pretty are our native wildflowers, smiling happily in their vibrant colors! Here are a few lovelies in their full glory on a path at a nearby botanical garden along the banks of Deer Creek in Colorado.

If you want an abundance of inspiration to plant native wildflowers in your yard, head on over to Chatfield Farms in Jefferson County! (Click on green text for link.) Or visit the nearest preserve, garden center, or native plant sanctuary near you! As an added bonus, native plants and flowers are well-adapted to your local area, and the precipitation, temperature, and soil type in the ecosystem where you live. They're easy to care for and and easy to enjoy! So here's to planting colorful smiling natives!

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Sale on Prints with Wildflowers!

To celebrate summer and our wonderful native plants, please enjoy 25% off all my prints with wildflowers in them, now through July 31! This includes Spring Magic, Butterflies, Prairie Dogs, & the Darters prints! Please click on the links in green text above and use coupon code Summer2022 (case specific with no space) at check out. Have fun and hooray for wildflowers!

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Happy Summer, Friends! 

What's one of your favorite wildflowers or native plants? Columbine, aster, coneflower, violet? Or do you have another favorite? Please share in the comments below!