Wetland and Watershed Seminar at Wolf Road Prairie
Presenters/Opening Comments
Q and A
Plant Propagation and Transplanting Demonstration
Wolf Road Prairie and Buffer Restoration Field Trip
Wrap Up Session
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Wolf Road Prairie and Buffer Restoration Field Trip Jack Pizzo, Tour Leader 
Jack Pizzo led seminar participants on a field trip through the north portion of Wolf Road Prairie and Wetland to the buffer restoration properties (#9 and #10 Hickory Lane). Along the way, he called attention to the results of brush removal around the Prairie House Nature Center, which occurred only two to three years earlier. The recovery area was previously covered with buckthorn, and prairie plants were light deprived. No planting was done in the area. Some limited seeding occurred. The area was burned once following the clearing. The first growing season following clearing and prescribed burning saw a vigorous return of aggressive native species in large numbers which include: 1. Blazing star 2. Wild bergamot 3. Many varieties of goldenrods 4. Boneset 5. Abundant composites such as coreopsis; yellow coneflower and saw-toothed sunflower 6. Rattlesnake master 7. Big bluestem 8. Various asters 9. Blue vervain 10. Fireweed 
The restoration method used at Wolf Road Prairie is a combination of late fall/early winter mowing by tractor, seppi mower or volunteer hand mowing using a DR Field & Brush Mower, sickle bar mower or lawnmower, followed by selective herbicide applications and spring burns. Mowing reduces plant material to coarse ground cover but does not leave heavy debris or chips. This provides a stable fuel source for burns. Under these circumstances, the fire is intense at ground level but does not result in high flames which can cause problems in urban areas. Smoke drift from prescribed burns is also a problem in urban areas. Burn decisions are based on site conditions, and each year is different. 
Phragmites or common reed (see above) is a problem at the Wolf Road Prairie wetland. Phragmites moves into contaminated soil. The best time to eradicate Phragmites is from mid-October to mid-November when it is still green but native species have gone dormant. A treatment of 2% Rodeo eliminates the plant. The plant draws in the herbicide which causes it to die. Wetland plants transpire 97% of water taken in and concentrate minerals at top leaves. An effective way to get seeds into the soil is to put seed down before you mow and let the weight of the machine push the seed into the ground. Certain alien plants like white sweet clover are not harmed by fire and need to be hand pulled. This is easy after a rain. Native thistle can be distinguished from alien thistle by their white underleaves. 
Plant communities at natural areas are determined by soil types. At some locations, different communities exist next to each other based on soil type and topographics. At the buffer site, Pizzo explained the restoration methods used. Non-native trees and brush were removed to allow light to reach the ground, and stumps were herbicided. Prescribed burns were introduced. Native plants were re-established through seeding and transplanting, and populations of Riverbank sedge (Carex emoryii), original to the site, were divided and transplanted along the eroded streambanks. Aggressive native species returned on their own and include dark green bulrush, Virginia rye, rice cut grass, swamp milkweed, meadow rue, snotweed, bottlebrush grass, wild hyacinth, woodland aster, wild geranium, obedient plant, wild leek and many varieties of goldenrods and composites. Next generation hickories and oaks are germinating and surviving in the 10 Hickory Lane savanna through natural processes. The buffer site is also providing habitat for local and migratory wildlife such as the red-tailed hawks and other raptors, song birds and monarch butterflies. Pizzo recommended waiting to plant young trees when initially restoring a savanna to see what baby trees came in on their own. Sometimes removing understory brush, and introducing prescribed burns is sufficient to begin the restoration process if the site has not been badly degraded. The group toured the propagation beds which have replaced traditional turf grass on the site. The turf grass was first herbicided and then removed, the beds were prepared and approximately 10,000 plants of approximately 40 indigenous species and prairie sod communities were installed for seed production over a period of about five years. Creating large plots for management of species makes it easy to collect seed by hand or through mechanized collection. Pizzo indicated that a large Truax drill can be driven through an open savanna restoration and around large original oaks and hickories as a way to introduce herbaceous seed selections. return to main page, Save the Prairie Society |