"We're off to see the blizzard" would be my pick for the slogan to be emblazoned on Minnesota’s new snowplow, a naming contest open to residents.
East Aurora isn’t having a contest for snowplows, (although one might be apropos right now) but how about naming the Town’s new Electric Zero Turn Mower?
Congratulations to Town of Aurora’s Climate Smart Communities Committee for this award!
This machine, to be used in Hamlin Park, has zero emissions. Grant money for purchasing it was earned by the Town’s Climate Smart Communities Committee for work they have done to reduce Greenhouse Gases in the Town. Electric vehicles eliminate harmful nitrous oxides and sulphur dioxides, protecting park users, and the whole community from the chemicals, smoke and smell.
We are so thankful to be living in a village and town whose elected officials are concerned with our health and well-being.
Just writing about the Town Highway Department’s new mower brings thoughts and visions of Spring.Even though Punxsutawny Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter, we KNOW Spring is coming. A friend reports seeing bluebirds at her feeder on a regular basis. Robins are spotted. (We hope they all survive winter’s most recent onslaught.)
Spring thoughts naturally lead to thoughts of planting. In addition to our beautiful tree-lined streets, we have another advantage—we have space! Space to plant, space to get our fingers in the soil, space to grow plants that matter, plants that feed our pollinators! We have this brand, new mower, but we want to feed our pollinators, who feed us –so we don’t want to start mowing as soon as the grass and flowers emerge! Even if we have no yard, container plantings are beautiful & work fine- especially Keystone plants!
Keystone, the name comes from the center stone in arches, the stone that keeps the arch from falling apart. Keystone plants do the same thing. They are crucial for maintaining the structure and health of their ecosystem. Keystone species are the most important trees, shrubs and flowers we can introduce in our gardens. Our native oaks support tremendous biodiversity. Other Keystone plants in our Zone 6 are: Native goldenrod, aster, sunflower, Rudbeckia (coneflower) and milkweed. with emphasis on
TRUE NATIVES. Please ask when you are buying plants or seeds.
“Homegrown National Park” is what entomologist and author, Doug Tallamy, named his idea. Promoting biodiversity, he says that if each of us takes a bit of their yards to nurture native plants, especially Keynote species, East Aurora can have its own Homegrown National Park! Nation-wide our mono-culture lawns are the biggest “crop” in the U.S.! Larger than ANY food crop! And we all Love to Eat!
Doug Tallamy asks: Can all of us plant 1 Keystone plant this year?
Now is the time to plan what we are going to plant.
National Wildlife Federation https://www.NWF.org Native and Keystone species
Local: Masterson’s Garden Center and Johnson’s Nursery offer Native Plants
Erie County Soil and Water Conservation is offering seedlings at minimal cost. Order by 2/28/25, pick up 4/26/25 www.erieconservation.com tree and shrub
American Meadows -- AmericanMeadows.com
Native Plants of the Northeast by Donald J. Leopold
Deer-Resistant Native Plants of the Northeast by Ruth Rogers Clausen and Gregory D. Tepper
-By Ellen Neumaier
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