Forest Floor Restoration
As an Eagle Scout candidate project in 2024, Nathaniel Tillman organized a demonstration of the planting of forbs, grasses and sedges to create an easily viewed exhibit of this process for the education of Park Visitors. The plot he used is located at the north edge of the parking lot, across from the nature center. The image is of the sign that was installed. The plot of course requires maintenance, and in 2026 Washington County Master Gardener Karen has taken the lead on this task.
Another demonstration – planting into “forestry mulched” area deeply covered with wood chippings.
After buckthorn removal, it is very helpful to assist the native forest floor foliage to return and flourish. The needs are: first, to minimize the return of buckthorn and other invasives, and second, to establish conditions suitable for the sustainment of locally-appropriate vegetation. We are trying to accomplish these goals by planting suitable species, and by setting up the right conditions for regular prescribed burns. Burning the forest floor occurs naturally via lightning strikes in unmanaged forests. These fires keep down the level of excess fuel that would eventually lead to a catastrophic fire.
The demonstration plot is shown in the image directly below. It is located to the west of the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center and showcases two of these activities, both of which are ongoing the larger areas of the Park. In the northeast corner, to the right of the sign in the image below, we have planted native ryegrass which is intended to create a suitable level of fuel for a prescribed burn. To the south and west, left of the sign, we have planted a diverse mixture of forbs and grasses that are intended to out-compete buckthorn, survive prescribed burns, and reproduce the natural ecosystem. The seed list for this diverse planting is shown below in the second image.
After about two years, there is very little growing in this area –
