by Sandy Vorce
“Gotta get a goat” was the author’s mantra a decade ago as she struggled against bittersweet, buckthorn, and multiflora rose to regain a portion of meadow at Mass Audubon’s property in Belmont, MA. Her wish was granted, and the property now successfully utilizes a four-hoofed crew for control of invasive plants. Read the article.
by Krissy Boys
Four years after replacement of a streambank water control structure, native grasses, sedges, and forbs planted at the site have become well established. Most species are thriving and have propagated themselves by self-sowing in the streambank gardens. Only two species out of 58 genera completely failed.
Contributions by Julie Snell and Ellen Snyder
Invasive plants can cause significant challenges at restoration sites. We asked ELA two members to share their experiences managing invasive plants and to offer tips for success.
by Maureen Sundberg
A campus wildflower meadow tucked onto a slope at Greenfield Community College was designed as part of a larger outdoor learning lab that includes a botanical garden, wetland garden, permaculture garden, and raingarden. Two years after planting, the meadow has become an oasis of learning for students across the academic spectrum.
by Madeline Banks First Things First Any kind of prescribed burning has a lot of thought and careful planning behind it. Everything from safety to environmental impact need to be considered to ensure that a burn is beneficial, not detrimental.
by Theresa Sprague Over the past seven years the team at BlueFlax Design LLC has managed a multitude of landscapes degraded by invasive plant species. We have managed sites for species including shrub and vine honeysuckle, porcelainberry, Asiatic bittersweet, border privet, autumn olive, black swallowwort, Japanese knotweed, and others. Four years ago we were introduced…
by Anne Penniman ‘Habitat loss is the leading cause of both species extinctions and ecosystem service decline. The two ways to reverse this trend of habitat loss are conservation of currently viable habitat and restoration of degraded habitats.’ (Wikipedia) Landscape architects confront distressed and disturbed landscapes on a frequent basis. The ideal project involves a…
by Alex Krofta The “Expanding Riparian Forest Buffers” project is being led by the Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) in partnership with Nashua River Watershed Association, UNH Cooperative Extension, and MassDCR. The three main phases of the project are 1) Prioritization of seven HUC12 subwatersheds for protection and restoration; 2) Outreach to towns and landowners about…
When my builder built my house, he wiped out about an acre of land – mainly full sun on sand and rocks. Anything I’ve read said either to use a tractor or till in compost. Neither of these are practical for a homeowner, what do I know about operating a tractor, tilling an acre of…
by Krissy Boys Plans for a new garden began when we realized that an infestation of crown vetch (Coronilla varia), an invasive weed, had to be eradicated from an area in the Mundy Wildflower Garden called “The Gabions.” The name comes from the heavy gauge wire baskets, filled with rocks and stacked one on top of…
by Gerry Hawkes In September of 2014, the eight-acre, abandoned West Field on Oyster River Forest was cleared of invasive shrubs by uprooting and shredding. This was a superior alternative to herbicides because it eliminated the risk of watershed and aquifer contamination; left no standing dead shrubs; smoothed and prepared planting sites in the process…
by Peggy Olwell The United States has a rich native flora of over 18,000 native plant species. Plants color our distinctive and inspirational landscapes and provide a multitude of ecological goods and services. Native plants continue to provide new material for domestic gardens and urban spaces. Increasingly naturalistic planting schemes draw on the rich palette…
