Wetland Wednesday, May 2009

May included so much planning and juggling...and not much planting...we did install some Crinum into Sheldon (pond 3, north section). And collected more seed for the phase 2 seeding project (an experiment in effectiveness of seed dispersal for wetlands). And in an effort to jump start participation in the Sheldon Lake SP phase 2 planting, we held our annual wetland plant ID classes early and at Sheldon Lake SP. Yes, that meant new notebooks and flipbooks...for students only! :) As we have, we will host 5 class sessions over as many weeks (may into june) and then begin workdays after the class. As it turns out, we will have work...roughly 2 acres at Buffalo Bend Park (which is almost ready as of June 3!!!) and 44 acres at Sheldon Lake SP phase 2. So, finding volunteer hours will not be hard to come by.

Wetland Wednesday, April 2009

April was a more varied month of activites for the Team and we were able to recognize special Team member for their outstanding volunteer committment. We started with mostly collecting Juncus effusus for the Buffalo Bend park project (see Buffalo Bayou Partnership, http://www.buffalobayou.org/) and also more heavily collecting seed (cool shallow zone plants like Juncus nodatus, Juncus megacephalus, Cyperus virens). So, the Juncus ended up in pots and are patiently waiting their new home to be completed... :) While the seeds are mostly prepped, bagged and also waiting for their wetland home to be excavated. So, April was a hurry-up-and-wait month. And in the mean time, we did celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Day by recognizing all currently active team members and their respective milestones: 50 to 100 hrs: Frank Budny, Shirley Foster, Milt Gray, Ellen Gerloff, Vic Madamba, Millie Morgan, Tom Solomon, Susan Severance, and Charlotte Wells; 100 - 200: Lynne Ray, Paul Roling, Nathan Veatch; 750 hours or more: Dick Benoit and Diane Humes. Yay to the Team for making it happen!!!

Wetland Wednesdays, March 2009

March was a typical month for us...maintenance on the pots we keep at NRG and continue the seed collecting. Seed seemed a little early, but some Juncus were popping up and as always, there was Leersia available. We focused on materials at NRG (specifically Spartina patens and Spartina spartinae, if it be found) but did some work at Sheldon Lake SP. Seed collecting, however, is more of an intensive effort as the spring gets on moreso. This month was mostly about hitting the weeds early to keep everything window-dressed nicely at NRG.

Taking Care of Home (WW - February 25)

This week we switched gears to do some essential and necessary housecleaning. We have 3 above-ground ponds which required the undivided "attention". It was SERIOUS cleanup, but very rewarding because the end result was nice orderly plants. And we found some friends along the way...

Finally, some rain to speak of!! (WW - February 18)

Rain, blessed rain. We actually now have standing water in our little nursery ditch. This makes for such easier diggin', spriggin' and mud slingin' (we know who??). Again, we transplanted thalia, canna, bulrushes and irises to a grand (approximate) total of 180. While our end goals is large, we expect the amount invested now in the nursery will significantly multiply by construction end date. That's the plan...and we are sticking to it.

Sheldon Revisted... (WW, February 11)

Out we were once again...to conquer the elements, well at least in this case, the hardened earth. Luckily we did get a little bit of rain (a very little bit), so the earth was softer for our tender sprigs (but it could be better). We placed another 130 sprigs of iris, bulrush and thalia. We also noticed the sprigs already placed into our "nursery" were starting to pop up. That was a reassurance that our efforts are not in vain. We will have to update everyone on the progress of the establishment and growth of our sprigs. But, I think they look mighty fine now! Of course the finest picture and satisfaction will come when they make it to their final home in Phase 2 of the Prairie Wetland Restoration project.

When is it suppose to rain??? (WW February 4)

We made it out to Sheldon Lake State Park for some interesting transplanting. Their education ponds were being consumed by pickerel weed (Pontedaria cordata) and iris (Iris virginica). Rather than dispose of the material, it was suggested (thank you, Rob) we transplant the "removed" material to our nursery site (the ditch). This worked just fine, but would have been easier had we had any rain to speak of. Oh well, wetland plants are hardy plants. We were a small crew but one that apparently worked very well together...165 plants divided, transported and put into the rock, solid (OK, I am exaggerating) ground. UPDATE: plants did get watered on Thursday the 5th and if we do not get rain, will be watered again on Thursday the 12th. They don't look like much, but I am positive they will survive and even flourish.