Cincinnati Nature Center Blog
Blog Entries - tag: 'Welcoming nature in your yard'
Shaun’s Yard
Posted on: May 7, 2020
A Practical Application of National Wildlife Federation’s Habitat Checklist
by Jason Neumann, Public Programs Manager
Suburban Blue Ash, early April. I had pulled out my lawnmower for the first grass cutting of 2020. Dressed to work in my old
read more …
Turn Your Property into Better Habitat
Posted on: May 5, 2020
By Jeff Sperry, Director of Development and Marketing
I hate mowing the lawn. It’s noisy, messy, and smelly. Lawnmower motors are very loud; grass clippings get all over the place; and the fumes from the motor are noxious. My goal has been to
read more …
Want Biodiversity? Feed the Soil
Posted on: April 27, 2020
by Jason Neumann, Public Programs Manager
It’s time to vent. After nearly 25 years on staff at Cincinnati Nature Center, there are a couple of things I want to clear up. For the record, I’m fully on board with the Nature Center’s
read more …
The Myth of Groundcover
Posted on: April 16, 2020
by Jason Neumann
I didn’t plant it, but there it is at the bottom of my wood privacy fence: wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei). As a naturalist, I know that this unwanted botanical surprise is courtesy of neighborhood birds that relieved themselves
read more …
What’s (Probably) Growing in Your Yard: Our Bioblitz Round-Up
Posted on: April 15, 2020
By Connie O’Connor and Jason Neumann
We had a great time with our first-ever bioblitz—our Lawn Plant Identification Challenge! We totaled 349 observations of 175 different species in and around lawns in our region!
read more …
Rethinking Your Lawn: A Guide to Living with Imperfection
Posted on: April 13, 2020
By Jeff Sperry, Director of Development and Marketing
There’s a reason the lawn treatment companies put little signs up saying “Stay Off the Grass for 24 Hours” when they finish a treatment. The chemicals they just sprayed all over
read more …
The Story of My Land—Keeping a Phenology Journal
Posted on: April 9, 2020
By Connie O’Connor
“Every place, like every person, is elevated by the love and respect shown toward it, and by the way its bounty is received.” -- Richard Nelson
I bought my first home, hidden away on 3.6 acres of woodland,
read more …
Brush Pile? It’s Habitat, Not Waste!
Posted on: April 8, 2020
By Jason Neumann, Public Programs Manager
My mother is fond of saying “you could sell a dirty oil rag.” Turning garbage into something of value has always been one of my favorite things to do. I’ve been pondering this as I pick up all the
read more …