We seeded the tract with native grasses and wildflowers in late-February. The future prairie is starting to green up a bit. We now need to determine exactly what we have coming up so we can respond and insure the best result. The data collected from these semi-annual surveys, as well as the bird surveys, will also provide the basis for analyzing the impact and effectiveness of the restoration efforts.
To that end, we have scheduled a vegetation survey to be conducted on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP CONDUCT THE SURVEYS! We can use volunteers with every level of experience. We certainly need some volunteers who have experience with native plant identification, however, you need not be an expert. We can also use volunteers to help record the data and assist with all other aspects of the survey. No experience needed for this part; only energy and enthusiasm! You can participate for all day both days or for a few hours on either day. More specific information regarding survey times will be provided to volunteers at a later date.
This is a very important phase of the project. This is also an opportunity for you to become directly involved in this important restoration project and experience it first-hand. We hope that you will take the time to assist.
Thanks for your continued support.
If you are interested, please let us know by sending an e-mail to commonsfordpro@gmail.com
Friday, April 13, 2012
VEGETATION SURVEY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - June 9-10.
As you know, we seeded the tract with native grasses and wildflowers in late-February. The future prairie is starting to green up a bit . We now need to determine exactly what we have coming up so we can know how to respond and insure the best result. The data collected from these semi-annual surveys, as well as the bird surveys, will also provide the basis for analyzing the impact and effectiveness of the restoration efforts.
To that end, we have scheduled a vegetation survey to be conducted on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10. The survey will be coordinated by our project intern Andrea Julian along with Aaron Brewer and Scott Havill.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP CONDUCT THE SURVEYS! We can use volunteers with every level of experience. We certainly need some volunteers who have experience with native plant identification, however, you need not be an expert. We can also use volunteers to help record the data and assist with all other aspects of the survey. No experience needed for this part; only energy and enthusiasm!
If you are interested, please let us know by responding to this e-mail. You can participate for all day both days or for a few hours on either day. More specific information regarding survey times will be provided to volunteers at a later date.
This is a very important phase of the project. This is also an opportunity for you to become directly involved in this important restoration project and experience it first-hand. We hope that you will take the time to assist.
Thanks for your continued support.
To that end, we have scheduled a vegetation survey to be conducted on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10. The survey will be coordinated by our project intern Andrea Julian along with Aaron Brewer and Scott Havill.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP CONDUCT THE SURVEYS! We can use volunteers with every level of experience. We certainly need some volunteers who have experience with native plant identification, however, you need not be an expert. We can also use volunteers to help record the data and assist with all other aspects of the survey. No experience needed for this part; only energy and enthusiasm!
If you are interested, please let us know by responding to this e-mail. You can participate for all day both days or for a few hours on either day. More specific information regarding survey times will be provided to volunteers at a later date.
This is a very important phase of the project. This is also an opportunity for you to become directly involved in this important restoration project and experience it first-hand. We hope that you will take the time to assist.
Thanks for your continued support.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
COMMONS FORD NEWS SEGMENT ON KXAN
News reporter Jim Swift produced a great news segment on the Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Project for KXAN Channel 4 in Austin (NBC). You can read and see thehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif segment here
NATIVE SEED PLANTING AT COMMONS FORD
Major developments in the last few weeks at Commons Ford. The initial seeding plan called for use of a broadcast seeding technique with the assistance of volunteers. Behind the scenes discussions led to the development of a new partnership with Native American Seed based in Junction, TX. While discussing the seed mix alternatives for the prairie, NAS suggested that a no-till drilling process would likely provide a higher seed germination rate. Unfortunately, the restoration budget was not sufficient to allow for the no-till drilling process. NAS, having taken a significant interest in the project and understanding the importance of every native prairie restoration effort, offered to conduct the no-till drilling for a substantially reduced fee resulting in a in-kind contribution to project.
The end result is that, on the weekend of February 24, 2012, we completed the seeding process using the no-till drilling method. The seed mix was prepared in consultation with NAS, Travis Audubon Society and Balcones Canyonland Preserve representatives as well as research conducted by Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Organization volunteers. The mix contains 67 native grasses and forbs which are appropriate for the sandy loam soil type and which are geared toward attracting and sustaining prairie bird species which depend on such vegetation for food, nesting and cover. Some of the species in the mix include little and big bluestem, side-oats grama, bush sunflower, American basketflower, Texas cupgrass and many more. Check out the pictures!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Restoration of Commons Ford: Progress Report
The arrival of cooler weather has spurred the restoration process at Commons Ford. With each passing day, the site is approaching the day when the native prairie seeds will be returned to the soil. When the restoration process was begun, the 40 acre site was covered in invasive grasses and shrubs. In the past, shrub growth here was limited by periodic fires, which used to sweep across the state in regular patterns. With the arrival of European settlers, fires began to be suppressed due to both safety issues and the monetary damage they would cause to crops, cattle and property.
In addition to the loss of fire, the widespread practice of planting exotic grass species has also had an impact on the native prairie ecosystems. Commons Ford, in its state prior to restoration, was the perfect example of what happens when a prairie system is disrupted by a combination of loss of fire and invasion by exotic plants. The woody plants, mainly mesquite, had taken over the prairie. Invasive grasses, namely Johnson grass, Bermuda grass and King Ranch Bluestem dominated the plant composition.
Here is a picture of the prairie, pre-restoration....
And here is a picture of it today....
The prairie is now in the process of being tilled and disked. This process breaks up the soil, which serves multiple purposes. First, it helps to break up and kill any remaining live roots. Further, it aerates the soil, inundating it with oxygen. This gives newly planted seeds the best chance of succeeding and taking over the prairie patch.
The disking and tilling is done using this machine, which is called a mole board plow.
The mole board plow process is then following by disking with a different device which smoothes the soil, preparing it for seeding. The smooth soil ensures direct contact with the seeds.
Seeding is scheduled for late March, early April. It will be exciting to see what changes this spring will bring!
In addition to the loss of fire, the widespread practice of planting exotic grass species has also had an impact on the native prairie ecosystems. Commons Ford, in its state prior to restoration, was the perfect example of what happens when a prairie system is disrupted by a combination of loss of fire and invasion by exotic plants. The woody plants, mainly mesquite, had taken over the prairie. Invasive grasses, namely Johnson grass, Bermuda grass and King Ranch Bluestem dominated the plant composition.
Here is a picture of the prairie, pre-restoration....
And here is a picture of it today....
The prairie is now in the process of being tilled and disked. This process breaks up the soil, which serves multiple purposes. First, it helps to break up and kill any remaining live roots. Further, it aerates the soil, inundating it with oxygen. This gives newly planted seeds the best chance of succeeding and taking over the prairie patch.
The disking and tilling is done using this machine, which is called a mole board plow.
The mole board plow process is then following by disking with a different device which smoothes the soil, preparing it for seeding. The smooth soil ensures direct contact with the seeds.
Seeding is scheduled for late March, early April. It will be exciting to see what changes this spring will bring!
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