What is Pollination? It's not always an insect or animal warmth in late winter through spring that pollinates. Anemophily is the act and summer, until last call in autumn, By Melissa Drozd of wind currents distributing pollen flowering plants are available to their Pollination is the act of that is light and non sticky. There are pollinators providing pollen and nectar transferring grains of pollen from the many crop plants that are wind in exchange for the pollination service. male part of the flower which is the pollinators such as wheat, corn, and Pollination activity during the day anther, to the female part of the flower oats. Read “Turning Leaves” on page 5 is usual but what can happen at which is the stigma. Flowers are the to learn more. nighttime sometimes is remarkable. tools that plants use to make their Why is pollination beneficial to Two researchers discovered that seeds. Seeds can be produced when human life? We partially depend on pollination in a plant species of pollen is transferred between flowers bees, birds and bats for 35% of the Ephedra is correlated with the full of the same species. worlds crop production. Human moon (www.earthsky.org). So far, no Pollinators such as bees, nutrition is vital and pollination gives other plant waits for a full moon in butterflies, moths and even bats will us the nutrients we need that come order to get pollinated. The plant is carry pollen from one flower to from the fruit, nuts and seeds we eat pollinated by nocturnal insects such as another. With bees, for example, the (www.internationalpollinatorsinitiative. moths because the plant produces pollen gets stuck to their feet when org). globules of sugary substances that the they land on one flower and then they Bees have a very hard work ethic insects are attracted to which shimmer transfer that pollen to other flowers and are important to our every day in the moonlight. they land on. lives considering they pollinate one- Climate change is something we as According to Sunset.com, there are sixth of flowering plant species humans contributed to and face daily. a few plants that are best for worldwide and 400 different Thankfully, pollinators have different pollinators such as butterfly weed and agricultural types of plants traits and responses to atmospheric the sunflower. Butterfly weed has a (www.onegreenplanet.org). A few transitions. With so many diverse beautiful yellow-orange cluster of crops we would miss out on if bees of pollinators, we minimize the risks of flowers. Many years ago its tough root all types did not pollinate our food climate change because there will be was chewed by Indians as a cure for sources would be onion, broccoli, and pollinators that can thrive in current, as pleurisy and other pulmonary ailments apricots. well as future, conditions. (www.wildflower.org). The sunflower There are many types of Pollination overall is good for is a more well-known pollinator. pollinators and many reasons why animals, its good for the Earth and its During its growth, it will tilt toward the plants and flowers get pollinated, but good for human beings. sun, but once its done growing, it will when pollination occurs is interesting tilt no more. By the time they are in and of itself. From the first hints of mature, they generally face east. Pg 2 Photography | Pg 4 Pollinator Value | Pg 7 Classes PHOTOGRAPHING POLLINATORS By Barb Carberry

When we decided on pollination as this quarter’s theme, bring back more and more native birds, flowers, insects, and we also agreed that an appropriate hobby to accompany this wildlife. After a couple years, she upgraded her equipment theme is photography. It’s true that many photographers and added lens options which come to Lake Katherine to capture images of special people allow for closer views. Now she and events. Many others prefer general nature photos says that she still lets the focusing on the swans, ducklings, and wildflowers. But the “camera do most of the work” type of photography we want to consider here is digital except for the light in each macro photography, which generally means extremely “close photo which she adjusts using up” photography of very small subjects. The size of the ISO sensitivity settings. Jeanne Orange Sulfur butterfly on New subject in the photo is life size or greater allowing us to England Aster added that she now composes actually see pollen transferring to a bee’s legs or a her pictures more deliberately hummingbird’s tongue collecting nectar. while still reflecting the reality of each image as it exists The person who immediately naturally. Finally, she commented that she often has to came to mind for her Carpenter bee on goldenrod, invest a lot of time taking multiple shots and depend on by Jeanne Muellner, Autumn, photography was Jeanne 2014 serendipity to capture her perfect image. Muellner, a long time Orland Another local photographer, John Ondracek, shared Grassland volunteer. Seasonally, several of his macro photographs. We included this Jeanne shares her digital photo hummingbird which was taken with a 1/1000 of a second collection with volunteers, and I shutter speed. John says that remembered recently seeing some he enjoys nature photography great pollinator shots from her and often presents his work at Autumn, 2014 collection. art and craft shows. So, if you Jeanne says she started are someone who enjoys photographing at Orland photography and uses more Grassland with her “point and than your smart phone to take shoot” Nikon Coolpix because pictures, check your camera she purposefully wanted to keep a for a “macro” setting and look photographic record of how the restoration was working to for the pollinators!

MATCH THE POLLINATOR

1) Hummingbird ______2) Beetle ______3) Bee ______4) Butterfly ______

A. Water Lily B. Sunflower C. Honeysuckle D. Milkweed

(Answers: 1.C, 2. A, 3. B, 4. D) 2

By Barb Carberry

Many of us enjoy the beauty of So here are a few guidelines for our area is #5 “Eastern Broadleaf flowers in our backyard and choosing plants to use as pollinator Forest Province.” Some specific native community gardens, but we often don’t attractors: plants the Forest Service lists that understand the role our gardens play in  Use local native plants. These are thrive in our area and attract a variety providing habitats for pollinators. more attractive to pollinators than of pollinators are: asters, blazing star, Although pollen is carried by the wind, exotic flowers. They provide nectar Virginia bluebells, beardtongue, and some plants are self-pollinating, to pollinating bees and butterflies, bergamot, coneflowers, columbine, about 90% of flowering plants require food to caterpillars, and nutrition coreopsis, goldenrod, Joe Pye weed, assistance for pollination which comes for birds. lobelia, milkweed, and sunflowers primarily from native insect pollinators  Plant flowers in clumps. This will among others. Add a few of these such as bees, butterflies, moths, attract more pollinators than native plants to your garden and expect hummingbirds, beetles, wasps and even individual flowers dispersed to see some pollinators! flies. throughout the garden. This year, National Pollinator Many pollinator populations have  Plant flowers with different shapes. Week is being celebrated June 15 – 21. declined due to habitat loss, disease, Different pollinators favor flowers Many activities for this event are and inappropriate pesticide use. We specific to their anatomy. shared at “Pollinator Partnership” must realize that pollinators are vital to  Choose a variety of flower colors www.pollinator.org . Also, the U.S. maintaining healthy ecosystems, to appeal to different pollinators. Department of Agriculture Forest assisting plant reproduction, and aiding  Plant so that something will be Service (www.fs.fed.us) provides the genetic diversity in the plants they blooming from early spring table below to help identify the flower pollinate. A gardener with even a small through late fall. characteristics that attract specific plot will increase the number of pollinators. Use the information to pollinators in the area by including The U.S. Forest Service has match the pollinator with one of its plants that provide essential habitats divided the country into districts, and favored flowers. for them.

Trait Bats Bees Beetles Birds Butterflies Flies Moths Wind Color Dull white, green Bright white, Dull white or Scarlet, orange, Bright, including Pale and dull to Pale and dull red, Dull green, or purple yellow, blue, or green red or white red and purple dark brown or purple, pink or brown, or UV purple; flecked white colorless; petals with translucent absent or patches reduced Nectar Guides Absent Present Absent Absent Present Absent Absent Absent

Odor Strong musty; Fresh, mild, None to strongly None Faint but fresh Putrid Strong sweet; None emitted at night pleasant fruity or fetid emitted at night Nectar Abundant; Usually present Sometimes Ample; deeply Ample; deeply Usually absent Ample; deeply None somewhat hidden present; not hidden hidden hidden hidden Pollen Ample Limited; often Ample Modest Limited Modest in amount Limited Abundant; small, sticky and smooth, and not scented sticky Flower Shape Regular; bowl Shallow; have Large bowl-like, Large funnel like; Narrow tube with Shallow; funnel Regular; tubular Regular: small shaped – closed landing platform; Magnolia cups, strong spur; wide landing like or complex without a lip and stigmas during day tubular, perch support pad and trap-like exerted

3 PUTTING AN ECONOMIC VALUE ON POLLINATION By Abbie Schrotenboer Have you ever stopped to watch a bumble bee visit a tomato flower? The bee aids the plant by releasing pollen and potentially carrying it to another plant, and the bee benefits by getting pollen to eat. Of course, the human growing the tomato also benefits because tomato production increases. How does this benefit to humans look on a larger scale? Researchers have estimated that insect pollinators contribute $29 billion a year to the U.S. economy due to increases in crop production from pollination. Some crops, like apples and blueberries, are entirely dependent on insect pollination to produce fruits. Others, like tomatoes and grapes, can self-pollinate to some extent but are more productive with cross-pollination. The honeybee, which is actually a native of Europe, is a key player in much of this work, but native bees and insects can be important, too. Pumpkin and squash are almost entirely pollinated by native insects. Based on the value of these two crops alone, native pollinators contribute to over $200 million worth of produce. These insects are providing an important service that helps put dollars in the pockets of farmers and food on our plates. How should we react to this knowledge? Hopefully, it begins to give us a sense of all the natural world is providing for us and, in this specific case, urges efforts at pollinator conservation. What can be done to ensure continued pollination of our crops? We need to consider how the use of pesticides can negatively affect pollinator populations. In addition, native pollinators need habitat to support their needs throughout the season (not just when a particular crop is blooming). This can be provided by protecting existing natural areas and planting native flowers, such as in prairie gardens. Of course the value of insects goes beyond the ways they benefit humans, but by looking at their economic value, we can gain a new appreciation of just how important their work is.

HOW PLANTS ATTRACT POLLINATORS By Shamim Graff Many plants depend on pollinators flowers smell pleasing. There are some act as a stimulant, but not enough so as to get pollen from one flower to plants that smell distinctly like carrion, to taste bad, and will come back to that another. Over time, plants have which works in their favor to attract species again and again. evolved several ways of attracting flies to pollinate them. pollinators to them. “Hidden” Markings Coevolution While we cannot see in the Smelly Signals Some plants and insects have ultraviolet range, many insects and We often enjoy the scent of grown to depend on each other over birds can. Plants take advantage of this flowers blooming in the spring, but the millions of years of evolution. Some by having markings that can only be scent isn’t there for our pleasure. plants have developed mutually seen with ultraviolet vision. For Plants use their unique scents to attract beneficial relationships with certain example, a dandelion looks uniformly the specific pollinators. There’s a insects. Others have evolved in ways yellow to us, but to a bee, it is more reason bees are attracted to sugar – it that allow only a single pollinator colorful in the center – the area that smells sweet like flowers. But not all species to pollinate that plant. Such is the plant needs the bees to land. the case with figs and fig wasps. Each species of fig can only be pollinated by its own unique species of wasp.

Getting a “Buzz” Scientists have found that plants that produce caffeine help their pollinators’ memories. In the case of bees, they are more likely to remember plants that have just enough caffeine to Photos above by Rørslett

4 By Jim Reichel

What is Anemophily? United States. Flowers release pollen, and imagined the ideal daisy – one that and the grains passively float to had very large pure-white flowers, a Anemophily, or wind pollination, another flower. Flowers need to make long blooming period, and did well is a form of pollination by which pollen a lot of pollen in order to increase their both as a cut flower and garden plant. is dispersed by the wind. Many of the chances of the plant reproducing. As In order to achieve his goals he used world's most important crop plants are with wind pollination, four different plants. First wind-pollinated. These include wheat, plants that use water for he took the oxeye daisy rice, corn, rye, barley, and oats. Many pollination do not need and cross-pollinated it economically important trees, such as to expend a lot of energy with the English field pines, spruces, firs, and many producing bright colors daisy, which had larger hardwood trees, are also wind- or smells to attract flowers than the oxeye pollinated. Several species cultivated insects for reproduction. daisy. The best of these for nut production are also wind- T h i s w a t e r - a i d e d hybrids were then dusted pollinated. pollination occurs in with pollen from the Wind-pollinated plants do not waterweeds and Portuguese field daisy and invest resources in showy flowers, pondweeds. In a very their seedlings were bred nectar, and scent. These flowers are few cases, pollen travels Image: www.lutherburbank.org selectively for six years. usually very small and often overlooked underwater. Many of the These bloomed nicely, but since they do not need to attract insects water-pollinated plants have become Mr. Burbank wasn’t yet satisfied. He or birds. Instead, they produce larger invasive throughout the United States. wanted whiter, brighter flowers. So he quantities of light, dry Plants may also be hand-pollinated took the most promising of these triple pollen from small, plain by humans when natural pollination is hybrids and pollinated them with the flowers that can be insufficient or undesirable. Luther Japanese field daisy, a species with carried on the wind. Burbank (1849-1923) was a pioneer in small, pure-white flowers. Finally, he Pollen produced by this method of pollination for got the beautiful large white daisy that these plants is of very development of new strains and he was hoping for. He named it for the low nutritional benefit varieties of plants. His fame as an lovely glistening snow covered Mount to insects, having low inventor of new fruits, plants, and Shasta in Northern California and protein content, and flowers has inspired world-wide finally introduced his Shasta daisy usually will only be interest in plant breeding. He also held hybrids in 1901. gathered by insects several plant patents on different types when other pollen of potatoes and other fruits and “The scientist is a lover of truth for the sources are scarce. The vegetables. very love of truth itself, wherever it Image: blog.nutrilys.com pollen of these plants As a boy Luther Burbank also had may lead.” —Luther Burbank frequently brings out symptoms of hay a great fondness for the wild oxeye fever among those sensitive to pollen. daisies that grew under the elm tree in Another type of pollination is front of his family home. Years later, surface hydrophily, or water Luther was inspired to develop these pollination, and is relatively rare in the wildflowers for use as garden flowers,

5 NATURALIST By Jim Reichel What do the Santa Rosa plum, the Idaho potato, the Shasta daisy, elephant garlic, and a three cent U.S. stamp have in common? If you said Luther Burbank, you are correct. Born in Lancaster, Massachusetts on March 7, 1849, Luther Burbank was an American botanist, horticulturist, and pioneer in agricultural science. He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 55-year career. His varied creations included grains, fruits, grasses, flowers, and vegetables including a spineless cactus that is useful as cattle-feed. At the age of 21 he purchased a 17-acre tract about 10 miles from Lancaster and quickly developed the Burbank, or Idaho, potato – now the world’s most popular. He sold the rights to the potato for $150 in order to travel to California settling in Santa Rosa. Though he married twice, he did not have any children with either wife. In mid- March 1926, he suffered a heart attack, became ill with gastrointestinal complications, and died on April 11, 1926, at the age of 77. He is buried near the greenhouse at the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Santa Rosa. Luther Burbank taught at Stanford University from 1904 to 1906. In 1940, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 3-cent stamp honoring him. In 1986, Luther Burbank was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In California, his birthday is celebrated as Arbor Day and trees are planted in his memory. Image: www.britannica.com

AROUND THE LAKE By Gareth Blakesley

Spring Projects Some of these projects have now been It’s been a busy season this spring completed, while others we will at Lake Katherine. We have had several continue working on over the coming projects going on, including: weeks and months. All of these have  Our nature play area, funded by a brought some great changes to our KaBOOM! Let’s Play grant and grounds. gracious donors Of course, these projects do not  A pollinator habitat restoration even take into account our regular saplings planted in and around our project, as part of a National Fish spring work, including garden grounds, as well as a variety of tree and Wildlife Foundation grant preparations, trail maintenance and dedications. It’s important to get all of  Landscaping around the new invasive species removal. It was also our trees in now, as we usually don’t entrance bridge planting season with 40 native tree plant later in the season to give the trees a bit of time to establish Below: Play area under construction in the Children’s Forest; Above: Black-crowned night heron themselves.

Wildlife Spring is also the time of year when wildlife really starts to come back. The black-crowned night heron (a state-listed endangered species) is back and is fishing in our moving water ways. You may also see three other species of heron, including great blue heron, green heron and bitterns. It is also the time of year when spring migrant warblers come through, including Baltimore orioles.

6 EDUCATIONAL CLASSES

Little Explorers Along the Shore Family Stargazing Nights Preschoolers (ages 3-6) and their favorite Take a hike on the shores of Lake We will be hosting family astronomy adult exploring nature together. Pre- Katherine using water nets to collect nights. Outdoor viewing with telescopes to registration and payment is required. Space specimens. We will examine the specimens see various planets and the first phase of is limited. Cost: $5. using our new microscope and dissecting the moon. Cost: Donation scope. Saturday, June 27th 8:00pm A Walk in the Waterfall Prgm# Grade Date Time Saturday, July 25th 8:00pm We’ll put on our boots and make a splash 348 K-3 Wed., June 24 1:00-2:00pm Saturday, Aug. 22nd 7:00pm investigating the movement of the water. 349 4-5 Wed., June 24 3:00-4:00pm We supply the boots for the children; 354 K-3 Wed., July 15 1:00-2:00pm Adult Programs parents please wear sturdy old tennis shoes 355 4-5 Wed., July 15 3:00-4:00pm Lake Katherine is proud to offer a number or boots. 366 K-3 Wed., Aug. 26 3:45-4:45pm programs on various topics and designed Prgm# Date Time specially for adults - brought to you by the 373 Thur., July 16 9:30am-10:30am Walking in the Waterfall Natural Resources Committee. Each class 374 Fri., July 17 9:30am-10:30am Make a splash investigating the movement is $5 per person unless otherwise 375 Sat., July 18 10:30am-11:30am of the water in our waterfall. Please wear stated. Pre-registration is required. clothes that can get wet. We supply the In a Grasshopper’s World boots for the children. Fly Fishing After looking at grasshoppers indoors, Prgm# Grade Date Time Tried angling but want to expand into fly- we’ll journey out to the prairie and herb 350 K-3 Wed., July 1 1:00-2:00pm casting? Natural Resources Committee garden to see who else has six legs and 351 4-5 Wed., July 1 3:00-4:00pm Member Mike Littman will share the three body parts. Sing a grasshopper song 358 K-3 Wed., July 29 1:00-2:00pm rudiments of fly-casting, revealing useful and make a grasshopper project, too. 359 4-5 Wed., July 29 3:00-4:00pm tools and techniques. Prgm# Date Time 364 K-3 Wed., Aug. 19 1:00-2:00pm Prgm# Date Time 376 Thur., Aug. 6 9:30am-10:30am 365 4-5 Wed., Aug. 19 3:00-4:00pm 395 Sat., June 20 10:00am-12:00pm 377 Fri., Aug. 7 9:30am-10:30am 378 Sat., Aug. 8 10:30am-11:30am Flower Pounding Dragonfly / Butterfly Walk A fun way to transfer the colors of plants Learn the secrets of these hugely beneficial Summertime Fun and flowers onto fabric. Our art project insects! Operations Manager Gareth Programs for school age children. Part of will start with a hike to find a variety of Blakesley will lead a walk through the your time will be spent outdoors so dress colors of plant leaves, stems and flowers gardens, prairie and wetland of Lake appropriately. Pre-registration required. and then we will use a mallet to press the Katherine pointing out brightly colored Cost: $5 plant material onto fabric. and beautiful dragonflies and butterflies. Prgm# Grade Date Time Prgm# Date Time Ant Café 356 K-3 Wed., July 22 1:00-2:00pm 396 Sat., July 11 10:00am-12:00pm Discover the wonderful world of ants and 357 4-5 Wed., July 22 3:00-4:00pm their habitats through activities and Canoe/Kayak Tour* projects. Amazing Insects Operations Manager Gareth Blakesley will Prgm# Grade Date Time Six-legged creatures are fabulous! Using reveal the secrets of the lake as he guides 345 K-5 Wed., June 10 3:45-4:45pm magnifiers, we will look closely at us on a unique tour before sunset pointing grasshoppers and then hike outside with out the species that start to come out to Tom Sawyer Style Fishing nets to capture insects and let them go. play around dusk. Spots are limited to a Try your hand at fishing, catch and release Prgm# Grade Date Time total of 27 people with three single person style. Poles and bait will be provided. 360 K-3 Wed., Aug. 5 1:00-2:00pm kayaks available on a first come, first Prgm# Grade Date Time 361 4-5 Wed., Aug. 5 3:00-4:00pm served basis. Canoes seat three people each 346 K-3 Wed., June 17 1:00-2:00pm and parties may be split up to fill all seats. 347 4-5 Wed., June 17 3:00-4:00pm Hands on Natural Fun Day Camps *$8 per person 352 K-3 Wed., July 8 1:00-2:00pm Learn about the natural world through Prgm# Date Time 353 4-5 Wed., July 8 3:00-4:00pm games, crafts and daily exploration. 394 Sat., July 31 6:00-7:30pm 362 K-2 Wed., Aug. 12 1:00-2:00pm Investigate creates, walk in the waterfall, 363 3-5 Wed., Aug. 12 3:00-4:00pm run through the prairie and fish in the lake. We have camps available for children ages 5 through 15. Camp size is limited to 15 children each session. Visit our website or stop by the Nature Center to learn more.

Learn more about all of our education programs at www.lakekatherine.org/activities.cfm

7 MARK YOUR CALENDARS Canoeing and Kayaking - All Summer Monday-Saturday 11am—3pm 7402 West Lake Katherine Drive Have you ever seen Lake Katherine from a boat? Give it a try by renting a canoe Palos Heights, IL 60463 or kayak ($8 per hour per person with a one-hour minimum). Phone: 708-361-1873 Fax: 708-361-2978 Family Fishing Day Saturday, June 6th 8am - 3pm www.lakekatherine.org Enjoy family fun fishing the entire shore for muskie, catfish, walleye and bass during our catch and release fundraiser. All day and half day tickets available.

Buzz n’ Bloom Quarterly is produced Recycling Day Saturday, August 22nd 9am - 12pm with the support of the Natural Meet Lake Katherine at the parking lot west of the police department to recycle Resources Management Committee. electronics and prescription drugs. We will also be shredding and recycling paper. The Natural Resources Management Committee’s mission is to promote, Monarch Festival Sunday, September 13th 11am - 4:30pm improve, and fundraise in regards to all Save the date now for our annual fall festival celebrating the Monarch migration matter pertaining to Lake Katherine’s down to Mexico. natural resources.

Lake Katherine is owned and supported by the City of Palos Heights and managed by the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, a non-profit , tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

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