Notes From The Gardens
December 2022
See the Beauty in Nature
As the seasons change, the Gardens can be seen in a whole different light. On brisk late Fall days, you can still hear bustling around the Gardens. We have been diligently preparing for Winter and the workshops that we offer to coincide with the season change. Hands-On Plants workshops are [...]
November 2022
Winter Wonderland for All Ages
Throughout November the Gardens has been busy with field trips of Wausau Schools’ 4K classes. Even though November isn't usually considered the most beautiful time in the Gardens, it has its hidden treasures, especially in a 4-year-old's eyes. These field trips are extra special because students' parents are able to [...]
August 2022
The Rulers of Microscopy
I am here today to talk about my very favorite animal: the water bear (aka moss piglet or tardigrade). To start, what is a water bear? Well, they comprise a phylum of eight-legged, segmented, tiny (naked to the human eye), multicellular superheroes (animals really, but superheroes to me). These little [...]
Perplexing Pollinator Party
Over the past week or so at the Gardens, I have noticed quite the increase in pollinators buzzing around the Kitchen Garden as well as all around the grounds. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds… these hard workers can easily be overlooked, but they play a vital role in the health of Monk [...]
July 2022
Protect the Pollinators
In the last couple of years, a dramatic decline in the number of native pollinators has been recorded. The standout organisms suffering are bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. This is almost completely a result of careless and environmentally damaging human activities such as the use of herbicides/pesticides, industrialization, air/light pollution, [...]
Interrupted Ferns
If you walk through the enchanting development known as the “memory plaza” you may spot a wide variety of vascular plants that lack seeds and flowers. These little plants are known as ferns, and come in many shapes and sizes! Not only do ferns lack seeds and flowers - but [...]
Summer Camp in the Gardens Goes Camping!
Summer Camp in the Gardens has been very exciting lately, in the past week of July 4th, with our “Surviving Wild Wisconsin” camp, with a trial run of having all-day camp. Contrary to just having the kids in the morning per usual, it allowed us to explore many new opportunities [...]
Water Works!
Every living thing needs water to survive. For humans, the recommended amount is 8 cups of water a day. For animals, some need water because that is where they live. For plants, water is almost entirely what they are composed of. The tiny molecule of two hydrogens and one oxygen [...]
June 2022
Frogs and Toads
A few weeks ago at the Gardens, thousands of little wriggling tadpoles were spotted in the pond by the Meditation Garden. Seeing so many tadpoles was almost unsettling as the pond almost seemed alive. I was absolutely fascinated - and had to follow these little guys as they embarked on [...]
Critters and Crawlers in the Gardens
As my first month of being an environmental education intern at Monk Botanical Gardens concludes, working primarily with Summer Camp in the Gardens has shown itself to be very rewarding, exciting, and full of learning moments for both the children as well as myself. So far, Grossology Camp, Flora, Fauna, [...]
