#MaineAudubon Webinar - #Serviceberry

Wednesday May 6, 5:30-7 pm
Led by Andrew Tufts

Free program, donations encouraged. Registration required.

"Serviceberry marks a key seasonal transition in Maine, blooming as migratory #birds and #pollinators arrive. This webinar examines serviceberry’s role in forest edges, open woodlands, and rocky landscapes, and how these ecologically rich habitats support #biodiversity. Participants will also learn how edge communities translate into parks, trails, and residential landscapes.

Natural Communities & Seasonal Change is a three-part spring learning series that combines monthly webinars with guided field experiences to explore #Maine’s #NativePlant communities through the lens of seasonal #phenology. The series focuses on how #NativeTrees and shrubs signal ecological change, support #wildlife, and shape both natural and human landscapes. Participants will build skills in observation, #PlantIdentification, and reading the landscape as spring unfolds."

FMI and to register:
https://maineaudubon.org/events/natural-communities-servicceberry/

#SolarPunkSunday #Trees #MainePlants #NatureObservation #CitizenScience #LearnAboutNature

Madagascar: Reforestation Corridor Offers a Future for Lemurs and Locals

🧑‍🤝‍🧑👬👩‍🔬👫🧑‍🤝‍🧑🏦👭🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Initiative is a unique convergence of science, private investment and community action.

🌳 The project has already planted more than 100 native tree species across 70 hectares, a portion of which were grown in soil inoculated with mycorrhiza, with seedlings showing high survival and growth rates.

✅ Even at this early stage, lemurs are using the corridor.

💰🏥🏫 Project partners are investing in ecotourism, health care and education, among other strategies.

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/04/a-reforestation-corridor-in-madagascar-offers-a-future-for-lemurs-and-locals/

#SolarPunkSunday #WildlifeConservation #Rewilding #Conservation #Biodiversity #Lemurs #Ecotourism #NativeTrees #Environment #Wildlife

Native Deciduous Trees Support Urban and Woodland Birds Better Than Exotics

"Native trees, especially oaks and birch, are important to the reproductive success of insectivorous birds and other wildlife."

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#NativeTrees #ExoticTrees #ecology #insects https://grrlscientist.medium.com/native-deciduous-trees-support-urban-and-woodland-birds-better-than-exotics-d6059cb30fe3

Native Deciduous Trees Support Urban and Woodland Birds Better Than Exotics

"Native trees, especially oaks and birch, are important to the reproductive success of insectivorous birds and other wildlife."

#SciComm by @GrrlScientist

#NativeTrees #ExoticTrees #ecology #insects https://grrlscientist.medium.com/native-deciduous-trees-support-urban-and-woodland-birds-better-than-exotics-d6059cb30fe3

Native Deciduous Trees Support Urban and Woodland Birds Better Than Exotics

"Native trees, especially oaks and birch, are important to the reproductive success of insectivorous birds and other wildlife."

#SciComm by @GrrlScientist

#NativeTrees #ExoticTrees #ecology #insects https://grrlscientist.medium.com/native-deciduous-trees-support-urban-and-woodland-birds-better-than-exotics-d6059cb30fe3

It's Dogwood Season!

Dogwoods, although small trees, have big impact in the understory of forests in the Eastern U.S. and Canada.

#Bloomscrolling #NativeTrees #Dogwoods

FOR THE BIRDS

🐦‍⬛ Non-native trees are commonly used in urban settings, but a new study out of Sweden finds that native trees provide more resources and are preferred by urban birds.

https://phys.org/news/2023-02-urban-birds-native-trees-long-term.html

🐛 Another study out of the University of Glasgow shows that common woodland birds produce more chicks when surrounded by a greater abundance of native tree foliage.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-woodland-birds-native-trees-chicks.html

👉 Support the planting of native trees in all environments.

#WildlifeWednesday #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation #NativePlants #UrbanPlanning #Birds #Environment #HabitatGardening #NativeTrees

I liked these #GarryOak #trees with lots of #daffodils - up on a grassy/mossy hill. Spotted/shot through a chainlink fence.

#Wsanec #Saanich #VictoriaBC #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #PNW #NativeTrees #oak #biodiversity #ecosystem #nature #TreeLovers #TreeHugger

#Michigan - Oakland County #RainSmart program expected to keep millions of gallons of #water out of #sewer - here's how

By Amber Eikenberry
Published January 27, 2026 12:51pm

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) - "Two years of helping Oakland County residents install green infrastructure is expected to keep 1.4 million gallons of stormwater out of the sewer system annually.

"During the two-year RainSmart Rebates pilot program, residents located in the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District were able to receive money to install rain gardens, rain barrels, and native trees to their yards.

Participants were able to install one garden, up to two trees, and two rain barrels after an evaluation of their property to determine which infrastructure would work best.

By the numbers:

According to Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash, the second year of the program, which started in 2024 and just wrapped up, saw a 22% increase in participation from 2024.

This past year, 379 rain barrels, 199 native trees, and 105 rain gardens were installed.

In 2024, there were 159 rain barrels, 98 trees, and 49 rain gardens installed.

Since the pilot began, nearly 300 residents have participated. A total of more than $176,000 rebates were distributed, with the average participant receiving $500 for their projects.

Why it matters:

Flooding is a major issue in many parts of #MetroDetroit, especially in cities that are part of the #GeorgeWKuhnDrain Drainage District, including all or part of Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Southfield, and Troy,

This is because it is a combined sewer system. In a combined system, #wastewater and #stormwater both flow through the same pipes, known as gray infrastructure, and go to a wastewater treatment plant.

This means that during periods of intense rain like Metro Detroit has been seeing more frequently, the system can get overwhelmed. The result? Flooded streets and backups into homes.

Also, there is a greater likelihood of contaminants making it into the system. This is a concern even for homes not on a combined sewer system.

Rain barrels, trees, and native plant gardens all help reduce the amount of rainwater that makes it to the sewer system."

Read more:
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/oakland-county-rainsmart-program-expected-keep-millions-gallons-water-out-sewer-heres-how

#SolarPunkSunday #WaterCollection #Rainbarrels #NativePlants #NativeTrees #RainGardens #TreePlanting