September Conservation Corner

Invasive Plant Management Alert Microstegium vimineum/Japanese Stiltgrass is going to seed now! It is time to manage annual stilt grass if you don't want another season's worth of seed in the bank! It is thanks to Local Volunteer Superstar Henry Day that a new method of management is being implemented on our Belman Road Campus. It is best to throw away any plant material raked or pulled at this time (rather than compost or leave to decay like we have) but all last month Henry could be found slaying stilt grass (and now pulling perilla) as his new form of cardio and we couldn't be more grateful.

Adjacent to where we just removed 18 large Ailanthus trees, Mr. Day has cleared large swaths of forest floor by using a rock rake/hard rake/bow rake (whatever you want to call it!) This method has revealed the surviving native groundcover of violets, sedges, goldenrods, wood asters, and avens. This process requires zero digging or bending, and when done with some care and intention, leaves virtually all of the native perennial vegetation intact!

And to finish off the removal process? Well, may we present to you - Stiltgrass Mountain. It is difficult to haul out this material, so this practice works best when the plant has not formed any viable seeds yet - take heed for next year! We have been testing this method for about a month now and the plant material that has been removed will decay in place over time. Any invasive plant materials with seed on it will be removed from the environment from here on out and will be handled accordingly (bagged and thrown away!) There are some precautions to take, and we can report back that one yellowjacket nest was indeed found.