Last of two parts The previous part is at https://thevoice.us/research-seeks-to-stop-disappearance-of-monarchs “Erin Zylstra, a Michigan State University (MSU) postdoctoral research associate asks: “Why is the eastern monarch butterfly disappearing? “A Spartan-led research team has uncovered an answer, at least for the most recent population decline, with a huge assist from volunteers.
The City of Aurora will be host to its free Fall Electronics Recycling Drive-Thru from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at Bednarcik Junior High School, 3025 Heggs Road, Aurora. All items are free to recycle, including televisions. The event is open to the first registered 1,500 Aurora
First of two parts Erin Zylstra, a Michigan State University (MSU) postdoctoral research associate asks: “Why is the eastern monarch butterfly disappearing?” Between 2004 and 2018, changing climate at the monarch’s Spring and Summer breeding grounds has had the most significant impact on this declining population. In fact, the effects
By Emily Swihart Spring showers, Summer thunderstorms, Winter dusting of snow, are familiar weather events for Midwesterners, but as climate changes so do weather events. Extreme weather is increasing in Illinois. Over the past 120 years, significant changes have occurred that are causing more extreme weather events, according to a
By Brittnay Haag Fall blooming plants extend the season of our gardens after many plants have dried up or are done blooming for the year. They are a much-needed food source for pollinators who are still foraging and getting ready for Winter. You can prolong the floral show in your
August 22, 2022Dear editor; Reading about the mosquito abatement spraying in the Oswego Village Newsletter, makes me wonder if that control is what has eliminated our butterflies and bees this year? I read a letter to the editor from Ken Mozingo in the local newspapers, Ledger and The Voice, that
By Chris Enroth When confronted with lawn weeds, typically we think of dandelion, creeping Charlie, and violet. These plants and many others are classified as broadleaved weeds, or dicots, and are easily distinguished from grasses which are monocots. Scientists have engineered herbicides that target broadleaved plants, while the chemical does
Friends of the Fox River (FOTFR) and Two Brother’s Roundhouse in Aurora will hold an evening of information and discussion Wednesday, Aug. 24 to help provide better understanding of Fox River restoration and dam removal. Friends of the Fox River representatives will address Fox River history, common concerns with support
By Ryan Pankau Nothing beats the light and airy look of tall, distinctive, grasses in a landscape arrangement. The fluffy seedheads and slender, attractive, stems practically dance in the wind on breezy days, and add texture as well as a structural element to any landscape bed. For many years, there
By Jerry Nowicki Ten months after Illinois lawmakers passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act which set a goal of putting one million electric vehicles on State roads by the end of the decade, State agencies are engaged in a flurry of regulatory planning aimed at meeting those goals. The
By Nancy Kreith Taking time to select plants for difficult growing conditions helps long-term success Difficult growing conditions leave gardeners stumped when selecting plants. These planting areas may include alkaline soils, dry shade, over a septic tank, a large local deer population, and more. Always consider the existing site conditions
Rusty Rodeo will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at two locations: Glenwood Park Forest Preserve in Batavia and Primrose Farm in St. Charles. Help us round up as many Rusty Crayfish as we can find, in an effort to reduce their numbers. Rusty Crayfish are
By Vince Smith,Big Rock, Ill. Although occasionally offering my own personal thoughts and perspectives to this publication and its readers, I generally try to avoid attacking other contributors who of course have their own views which sometimes differ markedly from my own. Even recently, with great effort I resisted the
By Brittnay Haag Imagine eating only one type of food your entire life. Your survival depends entirely on being able to find this food. It is the challenge monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus, face every day as landscapes change nationwide and fewer native plants are available. But home gardeners can help.
Last of two parts The first part is at thevoice.us/transition-wild-mustard-flower-seeds-to-safe-jet-fuel The Honeywell Incorporated has produced an article about mustard seeds that are being processed for jet fuel. This innovative ingredient has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions According to Honeywell, “Longer-term, efficiencies in operations will drive the future, from
Residents at Covenant Living at the Holmstad, a senior living community in Batavia, are excited to be host to a tour their gardens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 16. It is in conjunction with the Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners as part of their annual garden tour event
First of two parts Nature has so many beneficial plants for us to examine and use. For those who want to have a perfectly-green lawn, dandelions can be considered a nuisance. Many years ago my mother and I made dandelion wine in a crock pot but it was not a
Aurora Downtown welcomes everyone to create pub and margarita crawls in downtown Aurora this Summer. The downtown organization of business and property owners recently launched two self-guided online crawls to encourage participants to pick a date, grab some friends, and enjoy the crawls at their leisure. Unlike a standard event,
Saturday, June 18, Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit, fourth from left, was host to her annual Shred and Recycle Event in the Waterford Parking Lot on Montgomery Road in Aurora.
By Kay Shipman More monarch butterflies spent the Winter in Mexican mountain forests compared to the previous year, Mexico’s Commission for Protected Areas reported recently. Known as the eastern monarch population, the monarchs that overwinter in Mexico migrate north through Texas and the Southern Plains, up through the Northern Plains,
