Q: When I see bees and hummingbirds feasting on even tiny flowers, I wonder if each flower replenishes the nectar supply, or is it a one-time offering?
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What’s the Secret of Nectar?
January 1, 2012 •
Botany
The study and science of plants.
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Marin passes new tree cutting ordinance
December 16, 2011 •
The new Marin ordinance restricts the number of trees residents can cut down a year from five to two. But salmon advocates say it doesn’t go far enough in protecting mature trees that are crucial to fish habitat.
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Book Review: Oaks in the Urban Landscape: Selection, Care, and Preservation
October 1, 2011 •
By Laurence R. Costello, Bruce W. Hagen, and Katherine S. Jones, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu), 2011, 265 pages, $55. As Californians continue moving into woodlands, we are loving our oak trees to death. Many native oaks are killed … Read more
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Saving Bay Area Ecosystems, One Chorus Frog at a Time
August 4, 2011 •
If you happen to be in El Cerrito and hear a frog calling, or catch sight of a large yellow butterfly flitting through your yard, it might be Jim McKissock’s doing.
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Watch Out for Invading Sea Lavender
July 1, 2011 •
Advocates for native plants and wetlands say now is the time to worry about Algerian sea lavender, an invasive plant that barely has a toehold at the moment. If it spreads, it could become a major problem. But for now, it’s a test case for the Bay Area Early Detection Network, which aims to help eradicate invasives before they become intractable.
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The Subtleties of Knowland Park
May 5, 2011 •
Knowland Park might be the City of Oakland’s largest park–about 500 acres–but it’s mostly known as the home of the Oakland Zoo. We visit the park with some native plant advocates who have their own fine-tuned sense of Knowland’s beauty.
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Sauntering in Muir’s Footsteps on Mount Wanda
April 15, 2011 •
Spring is a great time to visit Mount Wanda near Martinez. We took a tour with ranger Thad Shay, and there’s a couple more chances for you to do the same!
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In with the Oaks at Bouverie Preserve
April 1, 2011 •
When Caltrans had to make good for destroying some woodlands along a road, they wanted to plant a few trees at Bouverie Preserve in Glen Ellen. Preserve staff suggested a holistic restoration instead, and now high school students are pitching in.
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Stinky Stories
April 1, 2011 •
For some flowers, bugs, and (of course) skunks, strong BO is a good MO for survival. Remember that the next time you’re dealing with smelly gym socks!
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A Lifetime at the Garden
January 10, 2011 •
Lifelong Bay Area resident Stephen Edwards has run the botanic garden in Tilden Park since 1983. Well-versed in geology as well as botany, Edwards says, “My main goal in life is to improve the botanic garden without harming its delicate, historic character. The garden still sweeps me away.”