FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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RE-VEG THE EDGE WITH CSM! By Chris Romano Prairie and antelope in San Mateo County? Yes, before the Europeans obliviously conquered them through cattle grazing, development and in the case of antelope, hunting. Sadly, the California antelope genotype is extinct, but there is one unique place of prairie left, our own Edgewood Park. Edgewood Park is the second most unique plant community in California. Because it contains serpentine rock, European grasses have trouble taking hold. Thus we are left, for the most part, with a primeval prairie. This prairie consists mainly of Purple and Slender Needlegrass. Both are perennial Bunch grasses, living for many years. Now that Edgewood Park is a preserve, we are left with the cleanup job. In the 70’s, the land was overrun by motorcyclists. The scars are still very evident. Craig Dremann has pictures from the 60’s which show that the central hilltop was solid purple needlegrass. Motorcycling destroyed this hilltop prairie, compacted the soil, creating ideal conditions for exotic plants. Susan Sommers is directing the official park restoration. There are many projects that need to be worked on, including exotic removal, mapping and monitoring habitats, working with the Federal, State, and County Departments who monitor endangered species, as well as growing Bunch grass. The Friends of Edgewood’s Bunch grass group, nicknamed Prairie Patrons, is made up of people who wish to donate time, supplies or money to grow and plant Bunch grass seedlings in the damaged areas. This project will take years. A small test plot was planted last winter, with good success. In June Bunch grass seed was carefully collected from the park, and stored in preparation for winter sowing. Susan Sommers, Craig Dremann, and I have proposed a large project this fall. Horticulture professor Matt Leddy, of the College of San Mateo, has enthusiastically offered to grow 100 flats of Purple Needle grass in the college greenhouse. He is having his propagation class fill, fertilize, and water the flats. CNPS donated funds for the 30 bags of sterile soil, 4 lbs. blood meal, 10 lbs. bone meal, and 4 lbs. phosphate needed for the project. The seeds are sprinkled on nearly full flats, then the fertilizers are sprinkled on top, and then ¼" of soil caps the flat. The flats must be watered several times a day for the first 10 days. In late January or early February, depending on the rain and cold, the little seedlings need to be planted out. There might be enough seedlings to heal a large part of the worst scar. The grasses will be about 3" tall. Gentle volunteers will be needed to plant grass clumps 6" apart. When the grasses grow, their roots will commingle, excluding exotic weeds, holding, and healing the scarred slope. If you would like to "Re-Veg the Edge" in late January or early February, please call Susan Sommers, Craig Dremann, or Chris Romano. We will need many volunteers, as up to 900 sites may be planted. Again three cheers for Professor Leddy and his students, who are certainly Prairie Patrons! Big cheers for Susan Sommers and Craig Dremann, and little me, who envisioned the project. |
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