Outings

Before

Facing SE, SW of Sun Lake. We removed buckthorn from this stand of Burr Oaks in 1998, but many resprouted, and some new ones have grown from seed.

After

We cut the Buckthorn that was growing under the  oaks and piled it in a heap, shown ins the red oval in the foreground. We were glad that none were mature enough to produce more berries.
 

Before

Facing E, SW of Sun Lake.

After

To the left is another oak we recovered as we cleared deeper into the woods.

Now that light can reach the ground, we hope for forbs to sprout under the older trees.

Before

Facing NE,  SW of Sun Lake. 

After

We did our work to the right. We'll work our way around the lake in future months.

A Better Look

Facing E, SW of Sun Lake.

Standing between the pile of buckthorn and the grand old Burr Oaks shows the area that was impenetrable a couple hours earlier. George and John.

A Better Look

Facing W, SW of Sun Lake.

The bare ground is the fault of the buckthorn. The sparse Burr Oak canopy welcomes wildflowers that should sprout within a year.

Trails Are Coming

Facing W, SW of Sun Lake.

We were able to drive along an old tractor path to within a hundred yards of our work site. The FPD plans to install a public access trail along the same route within the year.

The water in the foreground is a small pond SW of Sun Lake. We also glimpsed a large owl beyond the cars.

Trails Are Coming

Facing N, SW of Sun Lake.

The trail is planned to meander N across what is now a farm field, but is to be seeded with native grasses and planted with more trees in the coming years.

This trail will connect to the entrance planned near the restored Lehman Mansion.

Nature's Rewards

Facing W, SW of Sun Lake.

An aquatic plant in the pond was in bloom. George has identified it as "White Water Crowfoot. (Ranunculus longirostris). There is also a Yellow Water Crowfoot (R. flabellaris). According to Swink, R. longirostris is not all that common." (GP)

Nature's Rewards

Facing N, SW of Sun Lake.

We were carefully watched by the Tree Swallows that were nesting in the Bluebird boxes. The mates were out catching bugs out of the air.

Retreat

The FPD staff utterly failed to involve W&W in planning of the restoration and public access of this, our Preservation Partnership site. So it's no surprise that they've also managed to irritate local residents who have built homes near our customary eastern entry point. Only a few days before our workday we were instructed to enter from the West, where we have entered in the past, but given poor guidance and no escort to navigate the changes occurring to that route.

View #4
Continue through second padlocked gate.

Retreat

As a result, all three of us found our way in by different routes. Here are pictures of our exit route, which should be reversed for entry next month.

We apologize to any who attempted to join us without contacting John, and arrived at our eastern entrance alone.

View #3
Veer Right and pass through first padlocked gate.

Retreat

View #2

Turn N and drive between this hedge and Rt. 83.

Retreat

View #1
Start Here Next Time.

This is the entrance, just S of the bridge over the RR Tracks on Rt. 83.