Blog

Blog Entries - Welcoming Nature In Your Yard

Shaun providing a tour of his backyard.
Shaun providing a tour of his backyard.

Shaun’s Yard

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

read more …
before and after

Turn Your Property into Better Habitat

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

read more …

Want Biodiversity? Feed the Soil

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

read more …
Wintercreeper sprouts found in my yard.
Wintercreeper sprouts found in my yard.

The Myth of Groundcover

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

read more …
Red Deadnettle
Red Deadnettle

What’s (Probably) Growing in Your Yard: Our Bioblitz Round-Up

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 …
perfect green grass
Neighbor’s perfect green carpet.

Rethinking Your Lawn: A Guide to Living with Imperfection

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

read more …