ECOLOGIAL RESTORATION
ER
AT CEDAR LAKE POINT BEACH (AND BEYOND)
"Behind you." I stepped to the side of the walking path and pulled my 75 pound nature loving pup on a leash in closer. "You know biking isn't allowed here, right?" I just had to say it, as the late 30's male dressed in mountain bike gear riding what looked like a nice ride. "You know that, right?" "One more." I stayed aside, keeping my pup reeled in. She followed, outfitted like her biking partner likely heading to Theodore Wirth for some real mountain biking. I repeated. "You know biking isn't allowed here." She was silent. I pressed. "Oh, you're going to ignore it." She answered, "Thank you." I replied, "Pass it on!" Each and almost everyday I walk through these woods, the amount of bike treads that leave their tracks is growing. It's becoming more popular, and will continue to do so if those wishing to protect the area for nature don't do more. Like I wanted to say in a separate blog that I never finished but may some day, nature is like sitting ducks. Every day, they get picked off one acre at a time. We need to become mother bears, actively protecting what's left. My probably oversimplified take on things is that the source of many conflicts can be narrowed down to two things. One is ignorance (aka misunderstanding, and/or miscommunication). And the other is disagreement (aka defiance, and/or arrogance). Ignorance is innocently not knowing otherwise. It can be addressed with communication, education, and maybe a good persuasive argument. Disagreement is knowingly going against something, like a rule, a law, or a norm. Some disagreements are very much justifiable. We are surrounded by countless injustices to assume that a law is a law is a law is not always right or just. But many laws and rules are developed based on a democratic process. . But so it seems we have both, ignorance and defiance going on here. And we have a natural environment that is in critical condition. Ignorance is bliss, until you're informed. I wish the Park Board would assume a more definitive position in standing up for natural areas. The Cedar - Isles Plan established that there would be no development of a two-way soft-surface bike path through Cedar Lake Park's wooded area. But what does that mean to bikers and hikers and anyone visiting this area? Very little. We need a clear and explicit policy that establishes that biking is not allowed in the area. We need clear and consistent signage to communicate appropriate uses and restrictions. We need some kinds of ways to enforce protections. But let's not pretend that this is only about bikers not knowing biking is not allowed through the park. Over the years, No Biking signs have been repeatedly posted, only to be removed by those who don't like them. This week's slapping a Critical Mass bike event poster on top of the No Biking sign at the entrance of Cedar Lake East Beach is an arrogantly defiant slap in the face of Mother Nature. There is considerable work for those trying to protect the environment. We need to work with the biking community who argues that biking is good for the environment. We likely have common ways to work collaboratively towards many common and all too critical goals. And at the same time, maybe we can try to communicate with those who like to party in the wilderness like to do it for the wonderful benefits of being in the pureness of nature, so maybe they don't think it's okay to trash the place.
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Over the past week or so, there's been some activity in the newest area undergoing ecological restoration, an area referred to as "Demonstration Area D East Annex." For the past few weeks this area was cleared of all Buckthorn and involved collecting a lot of tree trunks that had been splattered about from past years' work. The activity included someone or more starting to assemble a tent like fort structure using the stacks of timber I had been grouping by size to use for the area. As I observed the development of this structure over a few days, I started contemplating my values about this space. How did I feel about this? Should I just let it happen? Should I step in? I knew it was bothering me, but I wasn't sure why. Was I being too controlling about the use of the area? I liked the idea of people interacting with the space. A value of urban parks is that we want it for all of us to enjoy. I knew that one issue was tugging at me. When I started doing this work clearing the woods, there were a few of these structures already hidden inside the dense woods. As I hacked my way through the dense jungle of Buckthorn wasteland, I approached these structures with a sense of respect, a sense that there was a history that made these structures a part of the environment. As I cleared around the structures, these were the last items I disassembled. But once I started clearing out the spaces, I lost any sense of resistance. Inside were remains of human waste and remnants that I'll spare the details and just summarize to say that their contents were not what I'd consider a welcoming public place. Whatever happened inside these structures was something that they were able to do because they knew they could not be seen, hidden in the depths of the shadows of the neglected public forest. So let's just say, I now don't get such a good feeling when I see those structures in our public spaces. But then I pushed those thoughts aside, realizing this space was not what it had been. the area was cleared. All the Buckthorn and the cover it provided was plucked. I returned to my intent for the space and for the tree limbs that had been stacked for use. The purpose of clearing this area was to follow up with planting native plants and restore the ecological vitality of the woods. The purpose of these limbs were inspired by Minneapolis Park Board Natural Resource staff person who told me about the importance of and how to stabilize the ridge slope. Ridge Trail runs through the spine of the peninsula and due to increased access more people are wearing it down. And due to the removal of Buckthorn and their roots, there is a growing threat of destabilizing the soils and hillside. Ignoring these issues could result in significant erosion and a loss of what's become a pleasant walking trail. I was taught to create small terraces using horizontally stacked tree limbs anchored by the base of existing tree trunks. But before heading out, I prepared a sign to inform the fort builders why their fort had been disassembled.
We need to con-serve, serve with nature. Together. Not all natural areas need to be used for recreation. We can protect some areas for wildlife. Oh, I forgot to mention this. This morning when I approached the area, I got to first got to visit with two white tailed deer who were grazing in the very spot I worked. They got away before I had the time to take their photo. |
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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. |