On the Greenway: Wildflower Restoration – Part of a process

In August, we told you about the widespread forestry mulching of forest understory, wetland margins, lake edges, and upland fields undergoing natural forest regeneration along the Wolf River Greenway at our Epping Way Property.  Our work is not done as we continue to manage the corridor between the Greenway and the agricultural field.

The Wolf River Conservancy’s goal is to manage this land to consist of native warm season grasses and wildflowers, the first vegetation regime to emerge following a major disturbance in this region. Without successive disturbances to preserve this habitat type, nearby forests will spread into these spaces as tree seedlings are quick to outcompete the previously established species for water and sunlight.  This is exactly what happened to this corridor along the Greenway, leading to the wall of early succession trees that occupied the space earlier this year.

However, forestry mulching is just the first step in resetting the successional stage of this corridor.  It provided sunlight needed for the grasses and wildflower seeds to reemerge.  Already you can see this in the renewed dappling of milkweed, goldenrod, bee balm and other desired species.  The next step is to suppress the rapid regrowth of trees that would otherwise dominate once again before these grasses and wildflowers can reach their maximum as the Conservancy intends.  With the help of devoted volunteer, Bill Bullock, this area is receiving a targeted herbicide treatment that will eliminate the unwanted resurgence of these trees in the coming growing season.

Looking ahead, visitors to the Wolf River Greenway on the Epping Way Property will find warm season grasses and wildflowers have returned in striking fashion.  Not only will this create a more beautiful view full of popping colors overlooking an expanse of farmland giving way to hardwood forests, but it is likely to provide a far superior habitat for crucial insects.  These insects don’t just include the buzzing and fluttering pollinators we adore, but also the less commonly appreciated countless other species that depend on these plants to survive and form the foundation that fuels the rest of the food web.

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