Marsh marigold growing in a pond

Star-flowered Solomen's seal

Western Canada violet

Early blue violet (looks purple to me!)

spring is ramping up, and more flowers are beginning to bloom! these species all opened in my yard this week, with many others budding. the marsh marigold is stealing the show with its vibrant blossoms. stay tuned to see what blooms next!

#nativeplants #nativeplantsofsaskatchewan

Many spring cankerworm moths on the lampshade of a moth trap

Half-wing moth

Speckled green fruitworm moth

here is what showed up in my moth trap! not a ton of diversity, but there were dozens of spring cankerworm moths which is great given that they're a vulnerable species in SK. there was also one half-wing moth, and one speckled green fruitworm moth.

#CNCYXE #citynaturechallenge #iNaturalist

Illustration of bird silhouettes with stars overlaid. Text reads "Lights Out For The Birds"

Reducing light pollution at night helps migrating birds. Turn off the lights for them!

Moth trap - consisting of a lamp shade and light, bucket and egg cartons

tis the season! finally setting up my moth trap to see what moths i can find. just in time for the global city nature challenge.

stay tuned for a few photos!

#CNCYXE #citynaturechallenge

my garden! i can't wait for this bed to green up and bloom again.

#nativeplants #earthday

glad i haven't cleaned up anything in my yard! especially given that is is snowing again this spring! ❄️

This is your spring reminder to resist the urge to "tidy up" your pollinator garden! 🐝 Many pollinators are still hibernating under leaves and in stalks; cleaning up now could disturb them before they should be out. So have patience and please wait a bit longer, if you tidy up at all!

#nativeplants

coming soon to my backyard! crocuses 🌸🌸🌸

#nativeplants

Spotted today: a sure sign of spring—a mourning cloak butterfly! These brave butterflies do not migrate, but overwinter here, hiding in crevices or in the bark of trees. Once the temperatures warm in spring, they emerge, looking for a sweet treat in dried fruit and from the sap of trees.

i can’t wait for this event!

Prairie coneflower emerging after winter, with bright green leaves

Yellow evening primrose growing in spring

this may not look like much, but being able to see green in my garden is the happiest time of year.

#nativeplants

Our final NatureCity Conversation is coming up March 19 from 7-8 PM on Zoom!

➡️Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Please join us and our special guests, Faye, Kendall, Kelly and Sandra, for four very personal commentaries on relationships between Indigenous people and plants.

Send a heartfelt Valentine's card to your favorite nature-loving friend, family member, or partner today!🌿💌 Let them know how much they mean to you with a silly but special nature message.

#WildAboutSaskatoon #saskatoon #yxe

Poster for upcoming event with Dr. Christy Morrissey

Our next NatureCity Conversation is coming up soon! Join us for "Pesticides and Prairie Wetlands" with Dr. Christy Morrissey on Thursday, February 26, from 7-8 PM on Zoom!

➡️More details and the link to register here: wildaboutsaskatoon.org/conversations/

bearberry - flowering

moss phlox - flowering

crocuses growing in sand along cranberry flats

buffalo bean flowering near the river

it’s -30C here, so naturally i am dreaming of spring and summer blooms. knowing that the cold will end and the plants will return helps me cope!

#nativeplants #nativeplantsofsaskatchewan

Year 1 of a native plant garden - mix of 1-3 year old plants.

Year 2 of a native plant garden - the bed is full.

Year 1 of a native plant garden - mix of 1-3 year old plants.

Year 2 of a native plant garden.

how it started vs how it’s going.

it’s amazing how quickly a native plant garden can fill in! these shots show what sort of growth can happen 1 year after installation! it was planted with a mix of 1-3 year old plants, some were rescued from development.

#nativeplants #backyardbiodiversity

ants on yellow evening primrose

a mosquito on pearly everlasting

honeysuckle moth on pearly everlasting

large maple spanmoth on a narrowleaf sunflower

that time i went out at night looking to see who was pollinating native plants in my yard. the mosquito surprised me the most, and gave me a new appreciation for a bug i don’t really care for.

i can’t wait for summer and the bugs to return!

#nativeplants #pollinatorappreciation

If you see this, quote post with flowers from yours gallery! 🌻 #nativeplants #nativeplantsofsaskatchewan

Graphics that says, “I don’t garden because I love plants. I garden because I love wildlife.”

Native plants are cool, but have you seen bugs? Jokes aside, native plants are the foundation of healthy ecosystems. There’s a reason I’m systematically removing non-natives from my yard and replacing with native plants. It’s because I love bugs (and other wildlife).

A variety of native flowers, including gaillardia, harebell, and meadow blazing star

Native Sunflowers

Native plants - Prairie sage and yellow coneflower

anyone else dreaming of summer? i am ready to see less white, and more green in my backyard!