Chloe Anderson/Lawrence Times
The Baker Wetlands south of Lawrence will be permanently protected from development under a newly finalized restricted deed covenant, according to an announcement from Baker University.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence community members gathered Wednesday to celebrate a new “enhanced” garden space at Just Food. It includes a tea garden with native plants, accessible raised beds, an outdoor classroom and more.
It’s going to be a perfect week to watch more prairie wildflowers emerge. The darker red markings in the center of these prairie phlox blossoms guide long tongued butterflies to reach the nectar and get coated with pollen in the process.
The standard approach to lawn and garden has squeezed fireflies, bumblebees, butterflies and more out of suburbs and cities. Homeowners are replacing exotic plants and lawns with native flowers, shrubs and trees to feed insects and birds.
Groundplum milkvetch is a native perennial prairie legume currently blooming that attract a variety of butterflies and other pollinators. Even though the rest of the plant is toxic, the fruit is edible and tasty.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Thousands of pollinator-friendly plants are available for purchase during Monarch Watch’s annual online sale and spring open house.
Verbena is a showy prairie wildflower blooming right now. Flower clusters start blooming around the edges and work their way toward the center as the season progresses.
Opponents to two new natural gas plants proposed by Evergy testified Wednesday about uncertain costs of natural gas and pushed the Kansas Corporation Commission to consider other options for expanding power generation in the state.
Stark disagreements on the future of Evergy’s proposal to build two new natural gas plants in Kansas surfaced Monday during opening statements at the beginning of three days of Kansas Corporation Commission hearings.
Native prairies are beginning to show their treasures, including the yellow star-grass and the purple prairie violet. Both have leaves designed to thrive in the sunnier, windier and drier prairie environment.
