ECOLOGIAL RESTORATION
ER
AT CEDAR LAKE POINT BEACH (AND BEYOND)
Thanks to this past week's snow, the MPRB Natural Resources team was able to get out today to conduct controlled burns of piles of invasive cuttings. The path around the peninsula of Cedar Lake Point Beach was virtually lined with cuttings collected since last June. Thanks to the snow cover, the staff has probably just about four day window to conduct burning of this type throughout the city. That's why they brought in contract help from the Conservation Corps. Have to admit, I got pretty fired up to see so many resources concentrated on today's work. It was great to be able to chat with two of our three Natural Resources department staff about our collective efforts and visions for the area. we have great opportunities to observe what kinds of plants will spring up in the next few weeks now that many areas have been cleared and replanted. We talked about where we can plan some more shrubs and the thoughts of some larger tree plantings such as Swamp White Oak and Burr Oak high canopy trees mostly at the higher grounds. And how Serviceberriy, Nannyberry and Hackberry shrubs will continue to serve to offer mid-tier level growth. We discussed how we will continue to plant Dogwoods along the shoreline. And to address the density of Mulberry that we still want to deal with over the long-term, we will watch the extent of routing of them, which will encourage or discourage us from believing they may be eradicated and replaced with native trees and shrubs. Cedar's north shore and woodsWe looked over northward over the lake to the north side ion Cedar Lake to review the cutting that was accomplished over there past few months. Both Natural Resources mentioned to me independently that there are explicit plans to use the light rail easement funds to initiate clearing of Buckthorn in the wooded area north and east of the lake. I had not heard anything official on that, but out sounds like the wheels are turning to imitate that work. That really brightened my outlook that Cedar Lake is getting its overdue attention for restorative care.
1 Comment
Philp Deering
3/28/2024 05:41:22 pm
Great news that they are burning the piles at the north end of the lake. I'm psyched to start lopping in the Cedar Grove, sometime toward the end of April.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
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. |