2.4 Habitat Restoration
Summary
1. Native garden renovation
2. Bluebird boxes
3. Removal of invasives
4. Programs using invasives
5. Orchard Mason Bee Habitats
6. Seed Bombs
2. Bluebird boxes
3. Removal of invasives
4. Programs using invasives
5. Orchard Mason Bee Habitats
6. Seed Bombs
1. Native garden renovation
Ongoing
In 2016, the Hampton Garden Club embarked on a major renovation of an overgrown corner of native plants in our Children's Garden. As they continue to maintain and improve the area, some of the highlights have been:
-- Making the whole corner more inviting for visitors by re-shaping and consolidating the beds and enhancing the seating area
-- Highlighting a hybrid chestnut sapling that we were trying to nurture but had become lost in the overgrowth
-- Moving native shrubs to address their space needs
-- Adding native perennials such as butterfly weed and columbine for pollinators
-- Adding a male spicebush so the existing female will produce berries
-- Adding native ferns to an increasingly shady area under the black willow tree
-- Adding an additional trellis and new coral honeysuckle for hummingbirds, as the current honeysuckle is nearing the end of its life
The native beds are a true focal point of the Children's Garden, for visitors and wildlife alike!
-- Making the whole corner more inviting for visitors by re-shaping and consolidating the beds and enhancing the seating area
-- Highlighting a hybrid chestnut sapling that we were trying to nurture but had become lost in the overgrowth
-- Moving native shrubs to address their space needs
-- Adding native perennials such as butterfly weed and columbine for pollinators
-- Adding a male spicebush so the existing female will produce berries
-- Adding native ferns to an increasingly shady area under the black willow tree
-- Adding an additional trellis and new coral honeysuckle for hummingbirds, as the current honeysuckle is nearing the end of its life
The native beds are a true focal point of the Children's Garden, for visitors and wildlife alike!
2. Bluebird boxes
Ongoing
Each year from March - August, Ranger Laura and 15 trained volunteers monitor the 25 bluebird boxes that dot the landscape across a 2-mile expanse at CVP. They monitor the boxes every 3-4 days, noting the successes and failures of cavity nesting birds (with an emphasis on Eastern Bluebirds). The data is entered into the NestWatch database managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
In the photos above, bluebird eggs, babies, and nesting parents are signs that our bluebird boxes are helping to restore bluebird habitats, thanks to our dedicated volunteers.
3. Removal of invasives
Ongoing
Known at the "Weed Warriors," the dedicated volunteers of the Habitat Restoration Team meet twice a week to tackle invasives that are spotted in the woods and fields. They have worked on the removal of multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet, Japanese barberry, and wavyleaf basketgrass.
Pictured are supervisors from the JOINS (Juvenile Offenders in Need of Supervision) program. JOINS occasionally assists the Weed Warriors on Saturdays.
The Weed Warriors cut a 30-year old invasive vine that is strangling a tree.
4. Programs using Invasives
Ongoing
We also keep invasives in check by chopping then down or digging them up to use in craft and cooking programs!
Ongoing
We also keep invasives in check by chopping then down or digging them up to use in craft and cooking programs!
5. Orchard Mason Bee Habitats
March 2021
Orchard Mason bees and other solitary bees are some of our most effective and active pollinators. In our "Plan Bee" program, participants created Orchard Mason Bee nesting cans containing narrow nesting cavities in which the solitary bees can lay their eggs.
March 2021
Orchard Mason bees and other solitary bees are some of our most effective and active pollinators. In our "Plan Bee" program, participants created Orchard Mason Bee nesting cans containing narrow nesting cavities in which the solitary bees can lay their eggs.
6. Seed Bombs
September 2020, June 2021
Rangers Laura and Mimi taught program participants how to make made seeds bombs using clay from our stream, soil and native seeds. Participants took the seed balls home to launch into their yards in hopes that native plants will take root there.
September 2020, June 2021
Rangers Laura and Mimi taught program participants how to make made seeds bombs using clay from our stream, soil and native seeds. Participants took the seed balls home to launch into their yards in hopes that native plants will take root there.