Open Spaces Newsletter – Summer 2023
- On June 28, 2023
Upcoming Events
Tartans for the Trust – September 24, 2023, 1:00-5:00pm @ An Amazing Location You Won’t Want to Miss!
Please join us for the annual Tartans for Trust event this fall! Dig out your kilt and sport your favorite plaid pieces for a wonderful afternoon of live music and talent outdoors in Barrington Hills.
Oaktober Fest Workshop Workday – October 8, 2023, 9:00am-12:00pm @ Far Field, Rain or shine!
Far Field Nature Preserve
Lake Cook & Old Sutton Road
Barrington, IL 60010 United States
Spend the day in our incredible oak savannah! Free family fun, environmental education, planting, live music, activities, and refreshments for all attendees. Please be aware that parking is limited, so arrange carpooling or drop off if you are able — Thank you!
Conservation Circle Event Recap
A great time was had by all who attended the Conservation Circle event in May. We shared delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by Haybeck’s Meat Market & Gourmet Catering, enjoyed incredible charcuterie provisions provided by Sage & Jam, and connected through lovely conversations in the beautiful space hosted by Jan-Dirk and Frauke Leuders at Cauthorn Farms. All of us at the Barrington Area Conservation Trust are so grateful to those who attended, and we look forward to seeing you at more events to come.
A sincere thank you goes out to a few of our veteran supporters: Connie and Tony Bishof, Betsy Bramsen, and Robert McGinley. Additionally, we welcomed a very special new supporter by the name of Shirley Mitchell who joins us from the Old Sutton Road corridor via the Heritage Road corridor program. The Conservation Circle event was formerly a major donor event but has since shifted as we recognize that contributions to our organization come in many forms – not just monetary.
We are so grateful to our generous donors and volunteers who allow BACT to continue to develop and execute conservation efforts across the Barrington area.
Save the Monarch Butterflies!
This spring, we have been reaching out to organizations in the Barrington area to offer resources and assistance to establish a Monarch waystation at their respective sites. The Barrington Area Conservation Trust originally collaborated with the Monarch Watch to encourage the construction of Monarch waystations around the community. They were installed in 2017 and 2018, but as several years have gone by, the waystations are in need of some revitalization to support reproduction and the migration of our endangered Monarch butterflies. The Monarch Watch is an organization responsible for registering and mapping Monarch waystations across the country in addition to 10 other countries and territories worldwide.
What is a Monarch Waystation and Why is it Important?
Milkweeds and nectar sources are declining due to development and the widespread use of herbicides in croplands, pastures and roadsides. Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world.
We want to thank those organizations who have made it a priority to either revitalize or establish a Monarch waystation to promote the livelihood of the endangered Monarch butterflies! If you are interested in establishing your own waystation, please feel free to reach out to us for any advice or resource assistance.
Looking for Natural Mosquito Repellant Options?
As summer temperatures begin to roll in and humidity percentages rise, the proliferation of pesky mosquitoes does too. In order to make it bearable to spend time outdoors, especially in the evenings, some form of mosquito repellant is imperative. Instead of opting for sprays or candles largely comprised of harmful, toxic chemicals, check out these natural mosquito repellant options – maybe you’ll come across some solutions you’ve never heard of!
Use plants that are a natural repellent.
You can effectively repel mosquitos naturally from your garden, patio, and porch by growing certain plants. Simply plant herbs or flowers that these insects hate.
Mosquito-repelling herbs include:
- Basil
- Cloves
- Lemon thyme
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Lemon balm
Mosquito-repelling flowers include:
- Marigolds
- Common lantanas
Use old coffee grounds.
Here’s a natural way to repel mosquitos that offers a sustainable solution to your daily coffee consumption. Instead of throwing away your used coffee grounds, reuse them in your garden.
Sprinkle used coffee grounds over your garden beds and/or the floors of your deck or patio, or place them in bowls in desired areas.
Coffee grounds also repel other pests and give nutrients to the soil. So, it’s a perfect way of recycling.
Try burning mosquito incense.
Mosquitos hate the smell of aromatic plants. You can take advantage of this aversion and repel mosquitos naturally by burning incense. The most powerful mosquito incense contains eucalyptus, cloves, or the aforementioned citronella. Read the labels and opt for natural products that are 100% safe for you and your pets!
Maintain a population of natural predators.
You can reduce the population of mosquitos around your garden by attracting their natural predators. Birds and bats are natural mosquito killers that feed on them to help you control their population.
Set up bat houses.
Bats are very effective in creating a mosquito-free yard. Brown bats, in particular, can feed on large quantities of mosquitos in a very short time.
You can install a bat house of any size or form. Your backyard can be a good spot, they don’t have to be in the rafters of your home.
Create a bird-friendly habitat.
Species of birds such as swallows and purple martins are natural mosquito killers. To create a bird-friendly environment, establish a variety of bird feeders. Although birds are not as effective as bats, they can still be helpful.
Natural homemade mosquito repellents.
Homemade mosquito repellents are another quick trick to handle these insects. One home remedy involves adding certain dried herbs or flowers to boiling water to create a natural spray. Here are some plants you can use:
- Sage
- Mint
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Lavender
It is likely that you already have some of these ingredients in your pantry or spice cabinet!
The procedure for making your homemade mosquito repellent is very simple: add your desired herb to boiling water and let it steep for some time until it gets to normal room temperature. Then add the cooled herbal mixture to 8 oz. of witch hazel. With this, your homemade mosquito repellent is ready. Simply pour the mixture into a spray bottle and keep it handy while you are outside.
Use mosquito-repelling essential oils.
Essential oils represent a far better mosquito repellent option when compared to chemical solutions that might cause skin irritations, health issues, and environmental problems.
Such essential oils include:
- Greek catnip
- Peppermint
- Soybean
- Tea tree
- Lemon eucalyptus
- Geraniol
- Citronella
- Cinnamon
- Neem
- Thyme
Note: Do not apply essential oils directly on your skin, but instead on your clothing.
You can add essential oils to your repellent spray (above) or dilute it with almond oil. Some prefer to add essential oils to their lotions.
Eat foods rich in Vitamin B
One personal natural mosquito repellent? Consume foods rich in vitamin B. These foods produce enzymes in your body that mosquitos hate so that they won’t want to bite you.
Vitamin B rich foods include legumes, mushrooms, onions, almonds, and garlic. Also, make sure to eat products rich in Vitamin C such as fruits.
Source: 17 Natural Ways To Repel Mosquitos | Pest Control FAQ
We hope some of these tips were helpful in providing ways to avoid mosquitoes and more comfortably enjoy the outdoors this summer. If you try out any of these options, please feel free to share your experience with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!
How to Help Wildlife During Times of Extensive Drought
Many creatures can survive for extended periods of time without food, but lacking a reliable water source is a different story. Having access to convenient supplies of clean water can make all the difference when it comes to the survival of local wild species including birds, butterflies, and small mammals during times of extreme heat and drought. Here are a few ways you can support your local wildlife during times like these:
- Be very keen on keeping your birdbaths full or consider getting one if you do not already have one.
- Hang a “drip jug” over your bird bath – a basic plastic milk jug filled with water with a tiny hole in the bottom. Birds will hear the drip and it will attract them for a bath and a drink. There are a number of great ways to enhance your garden with water features including misters, bubblers, and more.
- Put out some additional water-filled containers. Placing a couple of containers (one shallow and one a little deeper) on the ground will help other creature such as ground squirrels, raccoons, and many others.
- Use water-conserving garden practices such as using a generous amount of mulch to cover garden beds. This will help insects, worms, and other invertebrates.
- Keep hummingbirds in mind – they rely on nectar from plants and summer conditions can dry up natural supplies that a good hummingbird feeder can help replace. You can make your own nectar at home by Googling some recipes.
- Often communities will put watering restrictions in place during times of drought. These are good times to capture water that might otherwise go to waste. One thing many people do is put a bucket (or two) in their shower. While you bathe, the bucket fills with drinkable water for wildlife that would otherwise go down the drain. (Make sure soap doesn’t get in the bucket.) Many communities encourage residents to install backyard rain barrels that gather rainfall from the roof and store it for drier times.
As always, we would like to thank our amazing grantors at the Barrington Area Community Foundation, the Barrington Junior Women’s Club, and The Conservation Foundation VSN for their time and dedication to our great organization.
