Improved Ecosystems, Marquette, WI
Featured Site Created By Nicholas Weber

Improved Ecosystems is a model habitat map. Nicholas Weber has worked tirelessly to convert his land into a wildlife sanctuary. This hard work has paid off, as year after year he adds new features and native landscape resulting in more and more wildlife taking refuge on his land. The beauty of his completed projects are they require little maintenance or water. Nicholas’ long-term vision is to create a property where a short walk allows him to be immersed in native landscape, surrounded by thriving wildlife. Consider following Nicholas’ blog where he provides pictures and details on each project. Backyard enthusiasts will be impressed with his work and dedication.
EcoRegion: Eastern Broadleaf Forest (Continental) Province
Planting Zone: 5a
What work has been done to improve this site for birds and other wildlife? How long did it take?
This is a project spanning over a decade and I’m inclined to believe that I’ll still be working on it a decade from now. The property is far from being perfect and I already have several years worth of improvement projects knocking around in my head.
What are some successes that you've seen since the improvements were made? (alternatively, "What are you most proud of, or excited to share about this site?")
Favorite Bird Sighting: Pileated Woodpecker
Are there any tough decisions that had to be made regarding its management? How were they handled?
The toughest decisions I make are how to manage invasive species. I’ve chosen to use herbicide on invasive perennials because it guarantees success when planting wildflower seed which would not grow if there were existing competition. I have planted areas without using herbicide through repeated cultivation to deplete the seed bank and kill the perennials, but it is very labor intensive. One application of herbicide that will last for decades on a low-maintenance area which does not need to be mowed is a fair deal. When using herbicide, I prefer to spot spray and kill the vegetation over a period of time as opposed to using heavy blanket applications.
For more extensive information on Nicholas Weber’s land management projects and many more photos, visit his detailed blog: http://improvedecosystems.blogspot.com/.
And, make sure to explore his YardMap, which is one of our best!