Ferida Wolff
Ferida Wolff is author of 17 children’s books and three essay books, her latest being Missed Perceptions: Challenge Your Thoughts Change Your Thinking. Her work appears in anthologies, newspapers, magazines, in seniorwomen.com and in her nature blog, http://feridasbackyard.blogspot.com. A new book, Chicken Soup for the Soul Married Life, contains two of her essays. Visit her at www.feridawolff.com.
Monarchs: Getting Ready for the Fall Migration
Ferida Wolff writes: I found out that each butterfly species has a specific plant that the larvae feed on. And many of those plants, the milkweed included, are being cut down — to build houses, to construct roads, because of wildfires, illegal logging and deforestation of overwintering areas. On personal properties, they are often viewed as unwanted weeds. This is causing a decrease in the monarch population. more »
Where Nature Can Flourish; Habitat-Friendly Backyards, Tribal and Private Lands, Schools
Ferida Wolff and Tam Gray write: A wildlife habitat can be in a backyard, on a roof, in a park or a school — wherever we can put together what is needed to make a nature-friendly environment. The NWF has certified over 150,000 sites across the US. Some states have a WHIP program encouraging homeowners by incentives to create a more elaborate habitat. more »
Dappled Willow Hedge
Ferida Wolff writes: "In browsing the nurseries last year, we came upon the Dappled Willow and immediately fell in love. The white foliage with pinkish tips had an exuberant appeal. These willows are still young but, like toddlers, they already show their potential. They will fill out and grow and, I imagine, charm us as they do so." more »
Tulips Way Above the Ground
Ferida Wolff writes: "We have a Tulip Tree in our backyard. I remember being excited when we got it as a young seedling because we were told it would grow fast. We were delighted with the rapid growth idea. Several years later and forty feet higher, the Tulip Tree is a mainstay of the yard." more »
