One of the most striking summer wildflowers in Wisconsin is the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Found in meadows, prairies, and other sunny places, this flower’s long summer bloom time, with its vibrant purple petals, makes it a favorite among pollinators like bees and butterflies. And, because it blooms into early fall, it’s a vital food source for monarch butterflies as they begin their journey to Mexico for the winter. Once the flower heads lose their petals, the flower cone (aka seed head) becomes a magnet for seed-loving birds like goldfinches and chickadees. Purple coneflowers are also great at self-seeding with any seeds that the birds leave behind. Humans and purple coneflowers have a very long relationship, too. From the earliest times, Indigenous Peoples in the U.S. used these plants in medicine for themselves and their horses. The purple coneflower was used as a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, and a treatment for a variety of other ailments such as colds, flu, and infections. Today, it remains a popular herbal remedy found throughout the country. Modern medicine is also exploring the potential effects of this extraordinary plant, using chemical compounds found in purple coneflower in studies looking at everything from immune system support to potential cancer treatments. Purple coneflower is one of the best native plants you can keep around your house. It’s easy to establish in most soils and is low maintenance. And if you don’t have a yard, it also grows well in pots! Monarch butterfly on a purple coneflower bloom by Monarca/Adobe Stock American goldfinch on purple coneflower plant by Cassie Barnes/TNC
The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin
Non-profit Organizations
Madison, Wisconsin 412 followers
Conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends – in Wisconsin and across the globe.
About us
We are the Wisconsin chapter of The Nature Conservancy - working to protect the lands and waters of the Badger State to benefit people and nature since 1960.
- Website
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https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/wisconsin/
External link for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Founded
- 1960
Updates
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Join our team and work for nature! We're hiring a Conservation Communications and Partner Engagement Fellow. This fellowship will help support two partnerships that TNC is engaged with: The East River Collaborative (ERC) and the Southern Driftless Grasslands (SDG) partnership. They will assist in communications, outreach, event planning, and project management for ERC and SDG initiatives. This position will be based out of Green Bay, WI. Potential applicants can visit https://nature.ly/3S2VvFX and search job ID number 55349. #Jobs #Hiring #ConservationCareers #CommunicationsCareers
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We're celebrating a big win for conservation with Friday's Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling. #KnowlesNelson #Conservation #WisconsinSupremeCourt
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The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin reposted this
Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to overturn the Chevron doctrine will present challenges to preserving the many decades of progress we have made in protecting people and the planet. It will have major implications for implementing and enforcing laws related to such issues as air pollution, public lands management and endangered species protection. The decision impacts the ability of federal agencies to take the actions needed to successfully implement laws enacted by Congress. That is concerning, given the deep scientific expertise and practical experience they have in implementing and enforcing these laws, many which relate to complex and ambiguous issues. Read our full statement from Kameran Onley, TNC’s managing director of North American Policy and Government Relations:
Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Doctrine Impacting People & the Planet
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Seed collection! Habitat restoration! Wetland surveys! Prescribed fire prep! Outhouse removal! This is just a short list of some of the great projects happening this summer in TNC's Central Sands Project Area. Our intrepid staff, plus several partners and volunteers, have been hard at work to ensure the health and sustainability of this beautiful and vital part of our state: 1) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosted a wild lupine seed collecting event at TNC's Page Creek Preserve in Montello. Some fifty percent of those seeds will come back to be distributed over other TNC sites, with the rest going to help out at a variety of other natural areas. Wild lupine is an essential food source for the endangered Karner blue butterfly, among other roles it plays in the ecosystem. TNC's Milwaukee Program Manager Lamont Smith joined the work, alongside Alana Fisher (TNC intern), Oden (volunteer), and Bo Hendrickson, Habitat Restoration Biologist for the USFWS. 2) The first major timber harvest of planted red pine was completed at TNC's new preserve in the Central Sands. The next phases of this project that will ultimately create much-needed habitat for the endangered Kirtland's warbler will include a prescribed fire and the planting of native jack pine trees, which the birds rely on for nesting. 3) Steve Eggers (retired from 42 years with the US Army Corps of Engineers) and Pat Trotchel (retired from 37 years with the state DNR) were contracted by TNC to conduct important inventory surveys of the over 40 small wetlands on a newer TNC-owned preserve. This provides crucial knowledge of the plants and plant communities that exist there and helps inform our management techniques and plans for the future. Teamwork makes the dream work! Learn more about what TNC is doing in the Central Sands here: https://nature.ly/45Ku0q2 #Conservation #Wisconsin #HabitatRestoration #Biodiversity
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Right now, Congress is considering the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act, federal legislation which would boost conservation worldwide and be a win-win for nature, wildlife and communities. Here’s why: 🐘 Scientists estimate we could lose half of all species by 2050 unless we act now. By conserving and restoring the habitats that species call home, this legislation would protect threatened plants and animals. 🤝 $100 million every year would go towards supporting local communities and Indigenous Peoples around the world who manage protected and conserved areas helping to bridge a longstanding gap in international conservation funding. 🏛️ This bill would stretch government dollars even further by incentivizing millions in private and philanthropic funding, because solving the habitat and species loss crises will require everyone. 🌎 Evidence shows that political stability depends on the stability of the natural world. By safeguarding lands and waters worldwide, the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act would promote U.S. and global security and stability. There’s never been a more important time for lawmakers to take action to support global conservation efforts. Add your name today to urge your lawmakers to pass USFICA: #Conservation #Policy #Environment
How the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act Would Support Conservation
nature.org
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We are over the moon excited and grateful to share the news that The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin has been chosen as a recipient of an impact grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation! The Impact Grant Program, which first began in 2013, is aimed at directing significant funds toward organizations that serve their communities each day. TNC is one of ten nonprofits to be awarded funding this year, specifically to go towards our work on the East River Collaborative, which is working to build flood resilience within the East River Watershed in Brown County. Congrats to all of the recipients and thank you so much to the Packers Foundation for their support of vital, community-oriented projects and organizations! Thanks, too, for having us out to Lambeau Field for a celebration last week. Photo 1: (left to right) Former Packer and Foundation board member Dexter McNabb, TNC Coastal Resilience Specialist Kari Hagenow, TNC Wisconsin State Director Elizabeth Koehler, Foundation president Michael Barber, and CEO Mark Murphy. Photo 2: Dexter McNabb, Elizabeth Koehler, TNC Wisconsin Trustee and former Packer George Koonce, and Kari Hagenow. Photo 3: Kari Hagenow with the big check outside of Lambeau Field! #PackersGiveBack
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Proud to see some of our excellent Midwest colleagues featured here for #PrideMonth!
In the vast tapestry of our world, every thread matters. From the delicate petals of a wildflower to the ancient roots of a towering oak, biodiversity weaves resilience into the fabric of our planet. But there’s another vital thread—one that often goes unnoticed or dismissed but is equally essential: the beautiful tapestry of human diversity. As we celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride month this year and every year, The Nature Conservancy recognizes that fostering a more inclusive and equitable conservation movement is not just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic necessity. We're so proud to feature some of our LGBTQ+ staff colleagues. By bringing their full selves to their work, they enrich and expand TNC's mission every day.
Midwest Pride in Conservation
nature.org
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At The Nature Conservancy, people are at the heart of everything we do. In partnership with passionate, dedicated groups and individuals across the globe, we’re making progress toward our ambitious 2030 goals. Learn more about some of our recent work and the people who made it happen: https://nature.ly/4bXWI9n #30x30 #Conservation #GlobalImpact #ClimateChange
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Forests are wonders of nature, which support a diverse array of living organisms. Within a forest, you’ll notice that not all species live in the same area! Some are found on the forest floor while others live high up in the canopy of trees! This #WorldEnvironmentDay, engage your students with interesting facts about forests in Nature Lab’s Kahoot game. https://nature.ly/3X9yXGC (Photo by Mac Stone) #WorldEnvironmentDay #kahoot #nature #environmentaleducation #responsibleforestry
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