restoration

Ecological restoration is generally thought to be more successful using local genotype seed collected near the restoration site. But is this true?

Local seed is generally thought to produce better restoration results because its better adapted to original conditions. But in highly degraded environments, is local seed also more likely to be less adapted to current conditions? For example, is the local genotype merely an ecotype adapted only to its present location? Has it been genetically weaken by in-breeding within too small a population?

Restoring biodiversity is critical to a healthy future for the Earth. But how best to ensure this has been an ongoing debate within human society. Many call for more government programs. Alternatively, Stanford biologists Paul Ehrlich and Robert Pringle say the only path forward requires direct action by many small groups and individuals. They recommend actions such as reclaiming degraded land, reintroducing species to areas where they once lived, and educating people about how Nature works. Hint: Join us. That's what we do here.

This year's restoration projects are in full swing. We are in the field most days either collecting seed or processing the seed already in the shed here at Lonetree. This year we have seven restoration projects, all of which will require lots of seed - though not as much as the 1,750 pounds collected last year.

So please understand. For the most part, work on this website will need to wait until after the first week in November, when all this seed hits the ground.

Here's an article from the Wisconsin State Journal discussing the history of prairie restoration and the accomplishments of The Prairie Enthusiasts.

"Our perspective is that this is a movement that continues to gather momentum,'' said Buddy Huffaker, director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation. "What we're doing is not only building restored landscapes but reconnecting people to the landscape. We see an insatiable demand from landowners for wanting to do the right thing.''

We use an Arlen 3200 platform scale to weight seed for allocating seed to restoration projects. Its design and flexibility make it fast and easy to use.

In 2004, the Miccosukee Indians and the Friends of the Everglades sued the US EPA claiming the agency violated the Clean Water Act by allowing Florida to procrastinate in cleaning up the water flowing into the everglades. Now the judge says, "Plaintiffs are correct."

Conservation biology is the science of analyzing and preserving existing biological diversity. Restoration ecology is the science of recovering degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystems through active human intervention. The main philosophical difference can be framed simply as “conserving what is left” by establishing protected areas versus “restoring what once was” by creating natural areas.

Given the complementary nature of restoration and conservation, an ecosystem approach offers us the most effective toolbox for combating the loss of biodiversity and the ecological services that are so vital to human well-being.

The Landpride FS1000 Seeder/Spreader is a marvelous tool for sowing prairie seed. It cheap, fast, simple to operate, and does not disturb the soil. For forbs, the results are superior to using a drill.

The newest version sports a rust-proof, plastic cone. The mandatory design feature for this and all similar devices is the very aggressive stir rod.

187,000 Acre Prairie Restoration
"I can envision no better gift to the Everglades, or the people of Florida, or to our country than to place in public ownership this missing link that represents the key to true restoration." Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida. For all the details, go here.

Environmental Archaeology With support from NSF, Evan Peacock and his students fixed on the populations of snail in the prairies, both present day populations and their ancient counterparts, as proxies for what the state of the prairie might have been in the distant past, both prior to and after European settlement.

"Eastern Red Cedar is a very common tree in today's blackland prairies, especially in areas where the soils are thin and eroded. The cedar glades and the open prairie grasslands share a distinctive snail community dominated by a few species. But these species are uncommon at the archaeological sites."

Entry StoneThough we have had more rain than I really want, the prairie plants on Bluebird Prairie seem to be thriving.  I didn't burn this spring and was eager for the new growth to make it up through last year's duff so that everything was green once more.  Didn't take long at all.  We had Golden Alexanders blooming early, and now Spiderwort and Penstemon are in bloom.  Seems to be a banner year for Penstemon, we have more than I remember from past years.  This is the 11th growth year for Bluebird.  I plan on taking pictures as each plant blooms and post them on the Bluebird Prairie Gallery.  This will also serve as a rough census.  Have a good day, and stay dry. Randy