Preburning a Blackline with a Propane Weed Burner
February 13, 2017
So often, when you are planning a burn in prairie, wetland, or savanna, and the weather forecast looks favorable, you... Read More →
Attract Hummingbirds with Native Honeysuckle
February 2, 2017
Hummingbirds live their lives at a frantic pace, as shown by the fact that if you hold one in your... Read More →
Taming the Drowning Machines
January 26, 2017
Every few years someone drowns in the tailrace of an undershot dam somewhere in Iowa. Almost every river has one,... Read More →
Town and Country Tips on Fire Protection
January 19, 2017
The Gatlinburg, Tennessee fires of November 29th and 30th reminds me to mention that fire protection should be part of... Read More →
A Story of Reconstruction: A Before and After Woods
January 12, 2017
For at least a century before development, the land where my western Johnson County neighborhood now stands – which should... Read More →
Distance Not an Issue with a Kayak Pack Frame
January 5, 2017
In October, I offered an example of how to attach an uncomfortable backpack sprayer to a much more ergonomic pack... Read More →
Annual Report: Lon’s Butterfly Plantation 2016
December 15, 2016
You perhaps already know that in 2010 I began planting some of our rarest native trees, shrubs, and vines, whose... Read More →
What Good is Boxelder?
December 8, 2016
By Lon Drake Our native boxelder doesn’t get much respect, even from conservationists. But it’s a fast-growing, sun-loving pioneer, and... Read More →
The Strange Tale of Sassafras
December 1, 2016
By Lon Drake In 1586 Sir Francis Drake returned to England from Roanoke Colony with a load of sassafras roots,... Read More →
A Designer Frog Pond
November 17, 2016
By Lon Drake In my part of western Johnson County, we usually encounter seven frog species. Four are little guys... Read More →
