Hope Valley Tree Farm’s Post

Hues of gold and brown expand across the landscape, a quiet rustling amongst the tallgrass indicates the presence of wildlife peacefully tucked away. To some, a winter prairie may appear unremarkable, but this dormant period is achieving much more than meets the eye.   The vegetation of a winter prairie is supporting many unique habitats; a few even minuscule. The plant matter provides shelter and nesting grounds for insects to lay their eggs and survive winter. Small mammals and ground-dwelling birds use the thick vast environment to protect themselves from the cold temperatures, wind, and predators. Any remaining seeds are distributed, providing food for wildlife while also sustaining future generations of plant species. The carpeted landscape serves as a buffer, preventing soil moisture loss and aiding with changing soil temperatures, waiting for the arrival of spring to become active once again. #conservation #soilhealth #grasslands #watersheds  

A lot of people might think lightly thinning an oak-pine forest will help maintain it in the future… But they don’t think of the long term changes to forest composition as a result. Light thinning manages for shade-tolerant trees: Maples, beeches, and hollies… These trees offer some benefits for wildlife, but don’t quite measure up to the benefits of a mixed oak-pine forest… The oaks and pines will die out from old age and disease and the next generation forest won’t have oaks and pines in it. Light management today will cause a transformation in species composition tomorrow—often for less preferred tree species.

Best explanation of the risks of #habitat fragmentation I've read yet! #biodiversity #wearenature #sustainability

Let us take a step back and ADMIRE the beauty and form of the Sweet Bubba Seedless Desert Willow. Trees native to the Southwest are not necessarily trees, but substantially sized shrubs. In the urban landscape, we see Mesquites, Palo Verdes and various Acacias pruned up too quickly which can lead to poor performance down the road. Understandably, not every landscape will call for a big bush that could restrict pedestrian walkways or reduce visibility. There are other trees for that situation (Joan Lionetti perhaps...) however, letting our native selections, such as the Sweet Bubba Seedless grow as they should will not only increase the potential for a longer, healthier lifespan but will drastically reduce the need for maintenance and provide a safe place for wildlife. Not to mention the full spread of color from top to bottom, giving nectar for our pollinators. Last week, the City of Tucson experienced one of the worst and most powerful monsoon storms in decades. Wind speeds of over 60mph were recorded, and with that thousands of trees succumbed to the intensity of the seasonal storm. Perhaps some of these trees could have had a better chance of surviving if they were able to grow as nature intended.

May 20th is #WorldBeeDay! 🐝 There are more than 4,000 species of bees that live in the United States, and Florida is home to over 300 of those species. There are 29 species that are only found here in Florida! How many Florida bee species are you familiar with? Some look like wasps, while others are as small as ants, so you might not even know you’re looking at a bee. They can be super fuzzy or very sleek. Many have yellow and black coloring, but they can also be bright colored and metallic from lime green to navy blue. Some Florida bee species are social and live in colonies with a queen. Others live in communities that share a space but with separate nesting chambers. Most species are not communal, and individual bees make their nests away from other bees. Most Florida species nest in the ground by digging tunnels in the soil or sand. Like many native species, Florida’s bees are impacted by human activity such as habitat loss, non-native species and harmful chemicals. Fortunately, it’s easy to help support native bees and other #pollinators by simply including more native plants in your garden and natural spaces. #SaveTheBees Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-Mt8KZF

Thinking about more #trees for your yard? Consider your goals (shade? wildlife? decreasing erosion? aesthetics?) and space (close to house, driveway, electric lines, or septic system? wet or dry soil? already existing trees?) before choosing species.

Wednesday tip: It's time to start thinking ahead to wildfire season 💭 Here's an action that you can take today to help reduce wildfire risk 👇 🍃 Create habitat piles on your property! What is a habitat pile? These piles are structures built of naturally fallen small branches and twigs that provide habitat for countless species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fungi, and plants. Fallen and decaying wood is an essential component of a healthy forest, providing the food, shelter, or growing conditions that forest-dependent species need. A well-placed habitat pile (e.g. away from sources of ignition) provides a shady, cool, moist refuge for wildlife while promoting decay of the wood itself. To watch a handy video tutorial on building habitat piles, visit the Northwest Natural Resource Group's YouTube video at https://lnkd.in/e_GX6X9i. #wildfireseason #wildfireprevention #firesmart #preserveandprotect #IslandsTrustConservancy

"Northwest oak and prairie landscapes are among the most drought-tolerant, wildfire-resilient native habitats in North America and oak trees play a key role in the ecosystem. If they are not restored, protected, and maintained, important natural processes could be lost forever. With over 300 species of wildlife using oak habitats during their life cycle, continued #habitatloss and degradation will result in more of these species becoming vulnerable. Currently, 45 of those oak-associated species are already considered to be ‘at-risk’. Additionally, overstocked and unmanaged oak stands present an increased risk of unnaturally severe #wildfire which not only results in habitat loss but threatens residences and #ruralcommunities " Photo Credit: Conifer encroachment of oak trees on a nontreated landscape. -Bob Altman/Klamath Bird Observatory Read the full Press Release at the Link Below:

Leave the Leaves and Save the Stems! Let's work together to re-define what a beautiful landscape is. In our eyes, the most beautiful landscapes are the ones that support the most wildlife. One of the most valuable (and easiest) things you can do to support pollinators, invertebrates, and other wildlife is to provide them with the winter cover they need - fallen leaves and standing dead plant material. Many butterflies and moths utilize leaf litter as their overwintering habitat. A great example of this is the Wooly Bear Caterpillar; it spends the winter months burrowed beneath fallen leaves for protection. The seed heads on native plants provide crucial food throughout the winter for birds and other critters like toads and turtles. In early spring, seed heads can be pruned in order to create nesting sites for Carpenter Bees, Leafcutter Bees, and Mason Bees. In addition to all the great benefits for wildlife, leaf litter also serves as free mulch that suppresses weeds and fertilizes the soil as it decomposes. That’s why this year - and every year - we encourage everyone to #LeaveTheLeaves and #SaveTheStems

On 30th March World #Zero #Waste Day : Using cardboard boxes for nesting birds can be a simple and effective way to provide shelter and nesting sites, especially for species like sparrows, robins, and wrens. Ensure the boxes are sturdy, with a small entrance hole to deter larger birds and predators. Place the boxes in safe, quiet locations, away from direct sunlight and potential disturbances. Regularly monitor the boxes to ensure they are being used and to clean them out between nesting seasons. Additionally, consider adding natural materials like straw or grass to the boxes to make them more appealing to birds. #zerowasteday