MAINTAINING A WET MEADOW:
A PHOTO ESSAY
On January 12, a group of 13 volunteers spent a couple of fruitful hours continuing a project that began in 2006 – maintaining the wet meadow in Price Park as a wet meadow. Left to its own devices, this meadow would soon revert to a sort of lowland forest, albeit one full of introduced and invasive species as well as natives. Without this project, a precious and rare habitat type in the Piedmont would be lost along with several plants and animals dependant on it. This maintenance is now performed by mechanical means (saws and loppers) abetted by a limited application of herbicide.
Over time, the wet meadow will be a part of a larger environmental education project including the entire park. A sort of loose partnership among several environmental groups (Piedmont Land Conservancy, TGPAS, Piedmont Bird Club, Carolina Butterfly Society and the Native Plant Society) and individuals from those groups has been created to transform Price Park into a series of habitats that will complement each other. Along with the interpretive signs designed by Pearson Audubon and installed along the forest path, the wet meadow and bird and butterfly garden projects are underway. A habitat specifically catering to the needs of Eastern Meadowlarks and other grassland birds and a Chimney Swift tower are proposed.
In addition to providing an opportunity for nature appreciation and environmental education, the wet meadow and the other habitats existing and proposed for Price Park will serve another important purpose: as an outdoor classroom in which PLC’s Ken Bridle will work with Brooks Mullane and other Greensboro Park Department staff in creating a policy on managing exotic invasive plants and in demonstrating techniques for doing so.
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PHOTO ESSAY: Pictures by Ann Walter-Fromson |
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The wet meadow supports a community of species tolerant of or even requiring frequently damp conditions. These meadows are naturally maintained by fire, but they can also be preserved through human intervention, which could include controlled burning. |
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Volunteers remove woody vegetation that would otherwise result in the loss of this habitat and a drastic change in the hydrological regime. |
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A solution of 4% Crossbow (a herbicide) in diesel fuel is sprayed directly on the cut stems; the solution enters the roots of the plant and kills it. A herbicide at this low strength applied in such a manner is considered environmentally benign. |
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Pruned woody vegetation is stacked in piles. These piles will eventually provide micro-habitats for a variety of animals and places of refuge for birds and small mammals fleeing from predators. |
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The brush piles are compacted in order to better serve their intended function and also for aesthetic reasons. |
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Scattered trees will be allowed to remain to serve as perches and also in some cases as food sources. These trees are marked with green ribbon. |
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T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society will purchase two benches that will be installed on the paved path above the wet meadow. The benches will be used by casual visitors but perhaps also to accommodate children and adults taking part in environmental education programs.
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