FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE

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By Mary McMahon

Saturday, February 26, was a misty rainy day but the weather was no deterrent to Susan Sommers, Bill Edwards, Chris Romano and Susan Thrasher. On that morning, these dedicated volunteers met at Edgewood and actually began the revegetation project. The erosion track on the south-facing slope of the central ridge visible from the Sunset entrance was their area of focus. This area is well known to any one familiar with the Preserve as human damage has totally denuded the slope.

The work party began efforts on three sub-projects. First, they surveyed the area, placing stakes every 50 feet to create an easily readable grid for the planting and monitoring process. Secondly, they reviewed the effectiveness of the rock filters previously placed last October in the major erosion track. They were pleased to find that these rock filters appear to be working, holding silt caused by recent rains. These rock barriers duplicate nature's mechanisms and will help insure that the new plantings will not be washed away.

Finally, the team planted 85 Stipa bunch grass seedlings! These seedlings, locally gathered and grown, should have a good chance of thriving. A check four weeks later indicated that most of the plants were doing well. While the lack of recent rain caused a few to seem a bit dry, the majority of the plants are growing with a green healthy color. We chose Stipa as the first plant for revegetation because it is natural to the area, grows quickly, and will be an effective barrier to further erosion.

However, this is only a small beginning by a small group of people. We see the need in the immediate future for three major projects:

1. A plant survey must be done to determine exactly which plants are most native to the Preserve and have the best chance of success.
2. The County Master Plan for the Preserve must be revised so that the revegetation project can be authorized.
3. The goals of the revegetation project must be formalized.

An update to this revegetation project will appear in the next newsletter. To get involved, please contact Susan Sommers.

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