Visible Progress

 We struck again on July 15th. It seemed that we caught the Ivy off guard, flanking it and pinching it between a new front and our previous front. Soon our focal area will have no more English Ivy to offer. I very much look forward to that day. 

On this meeting, four intrepid conservationists joined me in the fight to free PKP of invasive plants. We sweated and toiled, rejoicing in our very visible progress and the creatures that we encountered in the meantime. The grandness of the bottomland trees in our work area never fails to amaze, and knowing that they will no longer be encumbered by exotic vines is a wonderful feeling. It was another successful day pulling Ivy.

Dekay's Brown Snake buddy

Lovely patch of Hexastylis

Soon we will take on woody plants in earnest. As we push towards fall, our efforts against woody trees and shrubs will be more effective. Join us August 5th as we resume our relentless attack on noxious weeds!

Turning up the Heat

 Things are really ramping up fast. An absolutely ruthless crew of a dozen individuals assembled at PKP and descended upon the pest plants with a fervor not soon to be forgotten. July 1 was a bad day to be an invasive plant in Pendleton King Park. 

Scott sending Chinese Privet to the next life

We have so sweepingly cleared out the marginally infested areas that we are now butting up against the most severe infestations-those that require spray treatments. I am so thrilled with our progress and grateful to all who are stepping up to take care of this park. Notable organizations in attendance on Saturday were local master gardeners and AU folks. Rays of hope peek through the degraded woods left and right, soon to be released by our sweaty efforts.

Hexastylis fighting for its place

Devil's Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa) hanging on

Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)

Large Arisaema triphyllum specimen

We also took the occasion to remedy a toppled Water Oak on the swamp observation platform. The park caught a lucky break as the tree landed on the railing, but did almost no damage. It's clearly a structure built to persist. Bucking it and clearing it was the perfect way to break in the PKP Restoration Initiative's new Stihl chainsaw.

Yet another extremely productive morning at the Park! I'm sure looking forward to our next meeting!