wayne national forest native plant program cheryl coon, 20 january 2010 prairie planting &...
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Wayne National ForestNative Plant Program
Cheryl Coon, 20 January 2010
Prairie planting & Interpretive trail, SO
Marietta office garden
In the beginning. . . .Replaced non-
natives with natives at SO office
Used local nursery that promoted native species
Involving partnersPlant Rescue
Stewardship Contract w/ local NGO
Volunteers!!2006-2009
NFN3 fuels the movement2008
Plant new and enhance existing native plant –pollinator gardens at administrative sites
> 2,500 ft2 new gardens
Begin construction of trails at two sites
1st interpretive signsSeedling production
with vivariums
In house seedling production2009
Lawrence County Work Force Development Crew transplants native plant plugs
>1,000 ft2 of additional gardens
NNIS treatment on 3 acres in Weed Free Zone
Extended interp. trails
10 more interpretive signs
Maintain 5,000 ft2 of gardens
Kid on Campus partnership Creation of two seed
production areas (15 acres) – fescue conversion
Native seedling production
Resistant elm plantings at 3 sites
Increasing native plantings at admin sitesLocal students plant native trees
at SO
2010
Interpretation
An interpretive trail exists at both the SO and Ironton Ranger District Offices
ADA accessibleTrails traverse
native bedsProgram t-shirts for
volunteers
Wayne National Forest
Native Plant Program
What’s Buzzin’ on the Wayne?
Many of the plants in the gardens around this office are native to the southeastern Ohio region. Gardening with native plants is an important step to protect and promote populations of pollinator species. Take a walk around and learn more about our native plants and their pollinators.
What’s a pollinator?A pollinator is any species that transports plant pollen from male to female reproductive parts, thus resulting in the fertilization of the plant.
One-third of all the food we eat is provided thanks to bees. The Pollinator Partnership further expands on this by stating, “nearly 80% of our world’s crop plants require pollination.” (www.pollinator.org)
Monarch butterfly (male) on milkweed
Monarch caterpillar on milkweed
Critters, wind, and water all offer means for plant pollination. The flower shape, color, scent, and nectar can vary based on the type of pollinator that has evolved along with the plant. Flowers pollinated by butterflies may be bright red or purple and have narrow tube shaped flowers. Bee-pollinated flowers may be bright white, yellow, or blue and have shallow flowers with “landing platforms.” Plants pollinated by both insects may have a combination of characteristics. Snowberry clearwing
(hummingbird moth) on Monarda
Carpenter bee on blazing star
Mydas fly and honeybee on rattlesnake master
The Forest Service maintains a website about pollinators. Visit: www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/index.html for more information.
© R
.W. S
cott
and
G. J
. Sco
tt
Honeybee and Bumble bee on milkweed
Why are prairies important?
They provide rare native habitat for birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles, and other small wildlife.
They require little maintenance, are long lasting, and do not need fertilizers or pesticides.
They are perfectly adapted to our climate. Prairie root systems are drought resistant, hold soils in place, and absorb water.
Prairies of OhioWhat is a prairie?
Prairies are composed of plants that are seldom found in other habitats. They are defined by unique soil characteristics, grasses, and wildflowers.
Examples of prairie grasses include big bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass.
Prairies have unique wildflowers such as coneflower, dense blazingstar, sawtooth sunflower, prairie dock, and spiderwort.
Butterfly weed
Blazing Star
Yellow Coneflower
About 4 percent of Ohio, or just over 1 million acres, was prairie prior to settlement. Today, less than 100 acres of original, unturned prairie
remain!
Prairies on the Wayne National Forest
The Wayne contains one of the easternmost remnant prairies in the US. Prairie grasses and wildflowers are found near known Native American sites. It is believed that Native Americans maintained these prairies with fire. The prairie before you was planted with seeds collected from nearby sites on the forest.
Landscaping with Native PlantsNative wildflowers, ferns, grasses, shrubs, and trees are a stunning part of
our local heritage. These native plants provide year-round beauty and interest to our gardens. In addition they are an environmentally friendly choice for landscaping and restoration.
Why garden with natives?
Native plants provide habitat and food for wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and caterpillars
Natives do not require fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or watering to survive
Natives are naturally adapted to our climate
Non-natives and cultivars often do not provide nectar (food) for pollinators
Non-natives can escape gardens and devastate local forests and landscapes
Natives benefit the Forest by:
Stabilizing stream banksReducing erosionImproving wildlife and fisheries habitatMitigating the effects of wildfiresRehabilitating disturbed areasCombating non-native invasive species
Larkspur
Pipevine swallowtail on milkweed
Milkweed seedpod
Native Plant use on ForestTimber landings and
roadsOil well plugging
sitesRestoration of Rx
firelinesRestoration of NNIS
treatment at wetland trail
Wetland creationOhio River Boat ramp
siteRecreation sites (e.g.
SSTs)
Native seedling production
Other effortsPlanting of >3,500
American Chestnuts (15/16 and 100%) on Forest
Plantings of native trees and shrubs along acid mine restoration sites
Native seed collection by staff
Local seed collection contracts
Great Spangled Fritillary
Hover fly and Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetle(Soldier Beetle)
Future needsCreation of local
seed production sites
More local seed collection
Making natives part of the “Wayne Seed Mix” for contracts – cost restrictive
Monarchs arrive at native plant gardens
ChallengesFunding large scale
fescue conversion w/ Wildlife
Finding affordable native seeds with local genetics – where do we draw the line?
Other shops fund native seeding
Pipevine Swallowtail
Tachinid fly with Five Banded Tiphiid Wasp
Questions??
Buffalo Beats RNA- tall grass prairie
Deadhorse Run SA- mixed hardwoods
Frad Hollow SA – Oak Barrens