Upcoming free #webinar from #WildOnes on #pollinators

#Bees Beyond Honey: Understanding #Native & Managed Pollinators

"Featuring Sam Droege, #Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Dave Hunter, Founder & Owner, Crown Bees; and Lora Morandin, Associate Director, Pollinator Partnership. Together, we will explore the diverse roles bees play in ecosystems, the challenges they face, and the delicate balance between managed and wild pollinators. Don’t miss this opportunity to broaden your understanding of bees and their vital contributions to #biodiversity."

https://wildones.org/understanding-native-and-managed-pollinators/

This past week I gave a presentation on starting native forbs from #seed for my local #WildOnes chapter. The summary from my talk was:

- the seeds are forgiving but only because they have so much innate intelligence that they can respond to (most) mistakes you'll make while learning

- cultivated seeds are bred to be people pleasers. Native seeds have their own agenda. Listen and learn from the seeds and the plants across seasons and years.

- my go-to method for artificial cold stratification is a wet coffee filter covered in seeds, folded, put in a container or baggie, and to alternate between fridge and freezer every 24 hrs for 10-14 days. This is for when you're a month or two from the last freeze date and need to get #plants going. It's an alternative option to sowing in pots outdoors in late fall and geminating naturally in the spring.

- and finally, don't attach yourself to the outcome. Growing natives from seed is a joy because it is challenging and therefore enormously rewarding when you succeed. Enjoy the process. Plant, sell, donate, propagate, and infect your community with the healing joy that is native #wildflowers.

Wonderful talk from Wild Ones this afternoon on Resilient Landscaping with Native Plants; particularly relevant after this year’s crazy heat and drought.

Reports from all over the area are clear: native plants, especially local ecotypes, not only survived but even thrived. They’re working on much longer timescales than we are and this wasn’t their first rodeo. Planting these local ecotypes from local seeds is incredibly important!

#WildHorseWednesday! Two wild stallions greet each other on a dusty ridge. AKA 'you put your left foot out', lol. They snorted, pawed and went on their way.

Find It Here: https://wildhorsephotographs.com/black-and-white-art/37563121-730870-photo-17

#MustangMonday! Wild Horse Play - Bachelor stallions from the south Onaqui herd playfully challenging each other.

Find It Here: https://www.wildhorsephotographs.com/black-and-white-art/38018293-730870-photo-0

It's #FoalFriday! And everyone loves the babies, even big brothers. I love this family scene as it shows the close connection between family members in the wild.

Find It Here: https://www.wildhorsephotographs.com/black-and-white-art/37563109-730870-photo-20