Nature Niche

08/03/2026

Happy Monday and Happy August! As we gear up for our next native plant sale, let me share an under-appreciated Monarda species, Monarda punctata, aka horsemint, spotted bee balm, and dotted mint. See this lovely pollinator powerhouse plant blooming in all its glory in the Nature Niche dry sand prairie and learn about its numerous wildlife values and human uses.

This week I share an under-appreciated Monarda species, Monarda pun...

08/03/2026

A productive and fun work day :)

07/26/2026

Happy Monday! This week I share a targeted goat grazing project at Little Forks Conservancy's (LFC) Nelson Woods Preserve in Midland, MI. The adorable mixed-breed goat herd from Sandhill Farms is working hard to help knock back invasive woody vegetation, including oriental bittersweet, Japanese barberry, and autumn-olive. Special thanks to Benjamin VanDyke of LFC and Jen Albaugh-Mogg of Sandhill Farms and Blue Eyed June Collective, for sharing their knowledge of the restoration project and introducing us to the charismatic and industrious goat herd.

This week I share a targeted goat grazing project at Little Forks C...

07/24/2026

A great way to spend your Friday afternoon...

Join the Little Forks Conservancy and Nature Niche on July 24 as we restore native habitat by managing invasive plant species at Nelson Woods! To learn more about this event and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3RcYvlK.

07/20/2026

Happy Monday! This week I ask Society for Ecological Restoration Midwest Great Lakes Chapter Board President, Mark Krivchenia, to share the story of his path to becoming a very active volunteer ecological steward. Whether you want the opportunity to get outside more, learn about certain wildlife or plant species, and/or serve your community (both human and landscape), there's a place for you in local ecological restoration and volunteer stewardship efforts! Find the place and people to reinforce your connection with nature and enjoy the process of helping to heal the one Home Place we all share!

This week I ask Society for Ecological Restoration Midwest Great La...

07/18/2026

This free webinar should help you talk to your neighbors about your native plantings!

🌿 Meet the Speaker: Lorraine Johnson

We're excited to welcome author and community activist Lorraine Johnson as part of the Less Lawn More Life Challenge with Wildr Places.

Lorraine has spent more than 30 years helping people reconnect with nature through native plants. An author, community activist, and former Honorary Director of Wild Ones, she's written 14 books on native plants, pollinators, and ecological gardening, and has inspired countless people to create landscapes that support biodiversity.

In this free webinar, Lorraine will share practical strategies for talking with neighbors, navigating HOA concerns, and building support for native plant gardens in your community.

Whether you're preparing for an HOA review or simply wondering how to answer, "Why does your yard look like that?" you'll leave with practical, grounded advice you can put to use right away.

📅 Wednesday, July 22
👉 Register for the free webinar: https://wildones.org/how-to-talk-about-native-plants-with-your-hoa/

Not part of the Less Lawn More Life Challenge yet? Join thousands of people transforming everyday outdoor spaces into habitat: https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/?ref=wildones

07/13/2026

Happy Monday! With the addition of monarch butterfly to the IUCN Red List and being proposed for listing as Federally Threatened under the Endangered Species Act, I thought it would be helpful to discuss an easy way we can help this once-common species in our landscapes--by providing site-appropriate native milkweed plants to serve as larval host and adult nectar resources! This week I compare and contrast the three most common milkweed species in Michigan (common, swamp, and butterfly milkweed) and discuss their different site preferences. I encourage everyone to learn to identify milkweeds, conserve them on your properties if you already have them, and plant additional native milkweed species to support our struggling monarch populations!

With the addition of monarch to the IUCN Red List, I thought it wou...

07/09/2026

Definitely worth a read!

The native plant movement gets a lot right, but there’s so much more to consider.

07/09/2026

Hope you can join us!

Join the Little Forks Conservancy and Nature Niche on July 24 as we restore native habitat by managing invasive plant species at Nelson Woods! To learn more about this event and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3RcYvlK.

07/06/2026

Join our Team! We have an opening for a weekend shipping clerk. Click for more details!

See our current job postings at Nature Niche! We are always seeking nature lovers who enjoy a professional work environment and increasing their knowledge.