Volunteers planting in plot 3. Photo by SA Ferguson

Restoring the meadows at JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary is a long and challenging process. Not only does unwanted vegetation need to be removed, but native herbaceous vegetation needs to be encouraged by mowing and planting. During the October 5 work day, 16 enthusiastic, hard-working volunteers, were split into two teams to pursue two of these aspects of restoration in the west meadow.

Volunteers begin planting in the center of plot 1. Photo by SA Ferguson

The planting team was comprised of nine people who planted nearly 400 native plants in three plots measuring 10×10 feet each. Getting the plants in the ground was the culmination of months of preparation and required digging in soil with plenty of rocks and roots. Planting that many plants in three small areas took some precision digging and coordination. Each plot had a lead person who decided the best approach to use to put over 130 plants in the plot. We planted local ecotype plants that had been documented on the property including: New York Ironweed, Cinnamon Willow Herb, Purple-head Sneezeweed, grasses, sedges and rushes. Once the plants were in, TLC was spread out to discourage deer, and they were watered using the newly purchased watering cart.

Why were we planting the plants so close together? We are testing out an approach called applied nucleation.  This approach involves densely planting patches of native vegetation that will help the natives outcompete invasives. We’ll also help the natives compete by putting down wood chips around the plots to suppress nonnative seeds for the first couple of years and mowing around the area outside the wood chips.

Using a hand saw to take out a tree.
Photo by Gerco Hoogeweg

In the upcoming weeks, we’ll be keeping an eye on the planting area to make sure deer are not causing problems and to water the native plants in the plots as necessary. Over time, we expect that the natives will produce seed and/or runners that will spread from the site, which we will be monitoring.

The second group of volunteers worked in another part of the meadow removing unwanted trees and shrubs.  Wading out into waist-high goldenrods and weeds, the seven volunteers focused on removing invasive Autumn Olive, Multiflora Rose and a few young persimmon trees. Although American Persimmon is a native tree, if left unchecked, it will gradually convert the meadow to forest, thus reducing pollinator habitat and the biodiversity provided by the meadow.

Before the winter rains start, we are planning the mow up to 50 percent of the remaining meadow on the western side of the property using the large rotary cutter purchased for meadow restoration. Mowing late in the season reduces the negative impact on wildlife during the breeding season and allows native plants to set seed for next season. Also, by mowing only part of the meadow, we continue to provide overwintering habitat for insects and coverage for birds and small mammals.

Purchases of equipment and plants were funded by a grant from Microsoft in collaboration with the Society for Ecological Restoration.

Working in the west meadow. Photo by Gerco Hoogeweg.

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