ECOLOGIAL RESTORATION
ER
AT CEDAR LAKE POINT BEACH (AND BEYOND)
I can't believe I missed the storm and then the unseasonably warm temps and then snow again. Well, living here for four decades, actually yes I can. But I've learned to be a true Minnesotan, and survival skills means having a short weather memory, and having the sense to leave town for a break around this most of unpredictable seasons. So I actually do believe all this happened in the short time I was out of town. But upon return, I can't open my emailbox without getting the blast of correspondence among fellow nature restorers about preparing for when the time is right again for field work. It's exciting to know that our fellow natural resource managers at the Minneapolis Park Board are in concert with restoration preparation. They have been corresponding with many of us about what our needs and capacities are for new native species plantings. They are placing an order for new shrubs for volunteers to plant into our Buckthorn busting project areas. I placed a request for 30. The plan is to focus on "Demonstration Area B" an area at the eastern-most tip of woods on the Cedar Lake Point Beach peninsula. Ten of the plants are Red Osier Dogwoods that will be planted on the steep shoreline. I don't know what the size of these new shrubs are yet. I'm guessing affordably small. But the idea is to plant those seedlings in holes of freshly plucked Buckthorn stumps. Replacing the Buckthorn stump is considered the best way to stabilize the shoreline with our new naive species. These 10 plants may take the most work among all new plantings, mainly because will each first require plucking the existing Buckthorn. We'll have to find the stumps most ready to pluck because there are plenty in whose roots are still stubbornly hanging on to their last chances. But there are lots and lot of options of exactly where to place the new shrubs. The remaining 20 shrubs will be planted at the eastern trailhead of Ridge Trail. They include a mix of Common Chokeberry, American Hazelnut, American Plum, and Nannyberry. I still have some homework to do to envision how these might be planted and am in the process of getting some help with that from both more experienced fellow volunteers and the Park Board Natural Resource staff who very supportively have offered their perspective and expertise. May-day, a Call for Your Help
Please contact me ([email protected] or color text 612-385-6407*) if you are interested in helping with this effort. Best case, it should be performed the first week of May. We may do as a group or in small teams, depending upon interest. Help is needed with the following tasks:
Very, very importantly, the work is not done after the shrubs are planted.
If you're really into it and want to volunteer for other areas receiving plants around Cedar Lake, I can also connect you to other Park Stewards too. * NOTE: If you all me and I don't answer, please leave a message. I am not apt to answer calls from unknown callers. Like many others, I've got my car protection warrantee needs covered, if you know what I mean. :)
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March 2024
AuthorI'm Steve Kotvis, volunteer Park Steward for the Minneapolis Cedar Lake Point Beach peninsula who has a newfound love of restoring this natural area and more. I'm learning as I go, and enjoy sharing that with those who have an interest. I'm also a photographer, so the photos in this blog are mine unless otherwise labeled. |