Fourth Lake Alliance

06/02/2026

What to plant for Monarch butterflies.....

Native prairie plants are the foundation of North America’s ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for pollinators, birds, and countless other wildlife species that evolved alongside them. Their deep roots help prevent erosion, improve soil health, filter water, and make them remarkably resilient to drought.

When we plant native prairies, we’re not just growing flowers—we’re helping restore a piece of the natural world that supports life all around us.

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

Sheridan Drive corner. WSOR helped to clear that area and we have added more grasses on the bank to help stabilize it over time. Blue flags indicate plants installed this year, red flags are plants from 2025. Purple Love Grass and Prairie Dropseed. Looking to add more prairie smoke plants!

06/01/2026

Watering crew was out this morning. We gave all of the plants a watering as things are a bit dry. Thanks to Dave and Kathy for the help! It was great to see Luke and Julie on their way back from checking the purple martin house at Warner Beach.
58 eggs so far! Ah, celebrate Summer!

05/28/2026

Thanks to Jeff for helping to water in the new plants this morning. The ongoing hot and dry weather will require some additional watering. Things are starting to bloom! Milkweed is looking good and monarchs are starting to show up. Thanks to everyone!

05/26/2026

Memorial Day. We removed invasive plants, watered the recently planted native plants and were in awe as Dave cleared the area close to Sheridan Drive, up on the railroad grade. Things are looking better, day by day. Thanks to Dave, Michael and Janet!

05/24/2026

Memorial Day Work Day. 9 - 1130 am
We will be out in the prairie tomorrow to continue with weeding and to check on the plants we installed....do they need a little watering? Going to be a hot week of weather coming up!

Have a great Memorial Day holiday.

05/23/2026

Well! Thanks to everyone who came out to plant the prairie today! We planted all of the donated native plants (about 300) in the ground, things are looking great! Weeded and cleared invasive plants as well. Ellis stopped by and played his bagpipes for us. This project is a source of joy. Oh yes! We also saw our first of the season monarch fly through as well as a swallowtail butterfly!!

05/18/2026

Anticipation. Lots of things budding right now. Hope to have a few plants in bloom this Saturday to enjoy. The prairie smoke is beautiful! Plants are sorted thanks to Kathy and things are looking ready thanks to Tim!

05/18/2026

The rain has stopped, and we will be out working this morning. See you in the prairie. 9 to 1130.