Newsletter

July/August 2010 Newsletter

Planting Perfume for Pollinators

ANYONE WHO HAS APPLIED a few strategic spritzes of perfume or a slather of aftershave before a big date knows that scent is one of the most potent tools of sexual seduction. The technique was invented at least 100 million years ago by plants.

Plants perfume their blooms to attract the insects and other animals they need to pollinate their flowers. Floral fragrance is a kind of olfactory come-on that proclaims to a potential flower fertilizer, “Come hither, honey, ’cause there’s scrumptious pollen and sweet nectar hidden inside these pretty petals.” In addition to a full belly, the pollinator leaves the flower with pollen attached to its body in a bundle or dusted on its fur. When it lands on another blossom while looking for its next meal, cross-pollination can occur.

Without their pollinators, many plant species cannot set seed and reproduce.
At a time when habitat loss, indiscriminate use of pesticides, and a host of other problems are disrupting this age-old reproductive duet, home gardeners can lend plants and their pollinators a helping hand by creating backyard habitats full of fragrant flowers. Peonies, gardenias and other exotic species may be the most familiar scented plants, but a variety of beautiful native trees, shrubs and wildflowers are fragrant, too. By cultivating them we not only help support the bees and other native pollinators with which they’ve coevolved, but also get to enjoy the plants’ heady scents ourselves.

Every plant has its own signature scent, a complex mixture of so-called volatile organic compounds that easily turn to gases and waft through the air. Some 1,700 different compounds from 990 different plants have been identified in flower fragrances so far, according to Natalia Dudareva, a Purdue University biologist whose specialty is floral scents.

Pollinators are picky about these flower odors. You could say that it’s all in the proboscis of the beholder (or antennae, the olfactory organs of bees, beetles and moths). For example, native bees prefer blooms with a sweet fragrance, such as California wild lilacs and the white or pink flower spikes of the summersweet shrub, which perfumes eastern U.S. woodlands in midsummer.

Moths, which are mostly nocturnal, are attracted to wildflowers like evening primroses, which advertise their presence under the cloak of darkness with powerful sweet perfumes. One of the most cunning practitioners of floral seduction, the sacred datura of the Southwest, attracts its hawk moth pollinators to its huge white, trumpet-shaped flowers with a sweet siren scent, and to increase the chances that the insects get dusted up with pollen, keeps them inside the blossom by producing a narcotic nectar.

Bats, also night flyers with good noses, favor blooms with musty aromas. Most bats in the United States are insectivorous, but three flower-eating species pollinate dozens of agaves and giant cacti in the Southwest deserts, including the organ pipe cactus and cardón.

If they think about beetles at all, most gardeners see them as pests that chew holes through their prized flowers. But these handsome insects, often with bright or metallic-colored wing cases that are extravagantly striped or spotted, are important pollinators. In fact, beetles were the pinnacle of insect evolution during the early Cretaceous period when flowering plants began to evolve. Although they’re virtually colorblind, these primeval pollinators have a great sense of smell and follow their noses to primitive flowers with fruity and spicy scents, such as magnolias. Other favorites include California spicebush and its eastern cousin, Carolina allspice, which has odd, dark reddish-brown flowers with layers of curved, strap like petals and a fruity fragrance.

Most people don’t think of flies as pollinators either, but they play a critical role in the fertilization of some flowers. Flies fancy blossoms that emit the essence of carrion or dung and look like lumps of rotting flesh. Among their preferred wildflowers are red trilliums, known as “stinking benjamins” by early naturalists, and aroids such as jack-in-the-pulpit and skunk cabbage, which has tiny flowers massed together along a fleshy pole partially surrounded by a leaf that smells like stinking fish.

Birds and most butterflies don’t have good olfactory senses, and the plants they pollinate don’t waste energy emitting fragrances. Instead, they strut their stuff with colorful and distinctive-shaped flowers.

How You Can Help
The following rules of thumb can help you create a garden of fragrant native plants that is as enticing as possible for people and pollinators alike:

• To provide pollinators with the plants to which they are best adapted and avoid introducing invasive species, select flowers native to your region. The fragrant water-lily, for example, is a fine choice for water gardens or even small tubs in its native East but can be invasive in the West.
• Invite a variety of pollinators into your garden by offering a diverse mix of fragrant flowers, both day and night bloomers. For recommendations, consult the Pollinator Partnership, a coalition of conservation groups, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center or the Xerces Society.
• Plant favored species in drifts of at least three to five to make them worthwhile for pollinators to visit.
• Design your garden so that there is a continuous succession of plants in bloom to provide nonstop food sources for hungry pollinators.
• Plant in an enclosed space, such as inside a courtyard or a hedge of native roses, which can prevent the fragrance from being whisked away by the wind. The reflected heat from a wall or patio can intensify floral fragrance.
• Don’t use pesticides, even nonchemical ones such as Bt, which can decimate pollinator populations

The above article was written by New York journalist Janet Marinelli

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Here we are in full swing – summer 2010. As I say; “summer 2010” I remember when “2010” seemed light years away. As I reflect back to when Ken and I joined the Northern Illinois Conservation Club in 1989, I am instantly filled with wonderful memories of; friendships built, families spending time together outside, helping others whether it be through scholarships, donations to other organizations or helping our environment. Oh, and of course memories of the many life lessons.

As I think about the organization and its past, I think about previous presidents; Dick Waters, Tom and Arlene Pientka, Peter Poli and John Stetcher. These individuals have put their heart and soul into the organization’s mission and goals. Our most recent president, Marguerite O’Connell (2006-2010) did just as her predecessors – only with a twist. She had us thinking outside the box on; ways we could involve our membership in activities, membership growth, updating our Derby a bit, adding new events such as the Youth Event and the Harvest Fest. Change, as many of you know can be difficult, but Marguerite guided us through these changes while respecting the past and still preparing us for the future…2010 and beyond.

Marguerite, thank you for bringing us to where we are today.

I know Marguerite would say she didn’t do this alone; it took the entire board working together. Thank you to those past board members; Roy Ballwanz, Wendy Barth, Darlene Borst, Margaret Cole, Lee Falk, Wanda Hauber, Bob Lemke, Sr., Donna Lessard, Walter Mazik, Debra Mazik, Dale Miller, Robin Nottingham, Todd Sander, Barbara Schwind, Marty Schwind, Linda Veach, Paul Waszak, Bill Yucas. And to those current board members; Larry Cerwin, Bonnie Letich, Ken Golonka, Linda Cerwin, Tom Clark, Tom Giaimo, Don Letich and Cindy Yelden, for all you have done and for all you continue to do for NICC and its membership.

Laura
President (2010 – 2011)

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

John & Melonnie Hartl
Joan Leahy

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

What a beautiful day to do volunteering for our Spring Adopt-A-Highway on Sunday, May 16. Thank you to the following:

Ellen Ipsen
John & Barbara Reznar
Don & Bonnie Letich
Ken & Laura Golonka

WINNER OF NICC SCHOLARSHIP

The winner of NICC’s 2010, $1000 scholarship was Matthew Michael Bruce, a student from Antioch Community High School. He will be attending Arizona State University in Flagstaff to major in Forestry with a focus in conservation biology and ecological restoration.

CANS FOR CONSERVATION

Remember to save your aluminum cans for our Cans for Conservation bin. Cans are to be put into tightly secured plastic bags. Please do not put smaller plastic bags of cans into a larger bag. You will find the bin next to the barn. Place the bags into the containers making sure the door is locked so that woodland critters can’t get in. When enough cans are collected, they will be taken to the recycle center. Money collected, will be used to maintain and restock our pond.

July 12 Board Meeting………………………7 p.m.
July 26 General Meeting…………………………….7 p.m.
Aug 14 Youth Event………………………..9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Aug 23 Board/General Meeting…………….. ………7 p.m.
Sept 13 Board Meeting………………………………….7 p.m.
Sept 27 General Meeting………………………………..7 p.m.

DONATIONS TO

Scout Troop 92

SPECIAL NOTICE

Because of bad storms we have had, several large trees came down on NICC grounds. Some of the damage has left branches dangling and dangerous. Until the damaged trees/branches have been removed, we are asking members to be very cautious while walking the grounds. The cost of having these trees removed will put a strain on our general fund. If you would like to make a donation to help defray the cost it would be greatly appreciated.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The election of new officers and directors was held after the monthly board and general meeting on May 24. Our new officer and directors are as follows:

Officers
President-Laura Golonka
Vice-president-Larry Cerwin

Directors
Don Letich
Tom Clark