Oak grove meadow conversion update
The mix of meadow grasses planted last year to replace a high-maintenance, high-water lawn west of the Peter J. Shields Oak Grove continues to thrive. See photo below. (Capturing the majestic oaks before they lose their leaves also helps highlight the dramatic makeover!)
To read more about the history of this project click here.
AFTER: photo of meadow taken in October 2012.
Above photo of meadow taken in February 2012.
Oak Grove Meadow conversion update
Our new field of native grasses is taking root and filling in what was once a little-used, high-maintenance lawn on the west side of campus, adjacent to our oak collection.
To read more about the history of this project, click here.
Oak Grove Meadow conversion and turtle habitat
About 3 weeks after seeding we have germination at the Oak Grove Meadow! What you see in the photo below is a small Nasella pulchra. Now we wait, and irrigate as necessary if rain doesn’t come.
Nasella pulchra germination.
- Oak Grove meadow conversion
As project manager Andrew Fulks says, “From little seeds grow big meadows.” What Andrew didn’t know when he began this meadow conversion project is that big meadows also provide the perfect nesting habitat for native turtles! This conversion project began as a way to decrease water usage and maintenance hours for a little-used lawn (Read more here.), now it will potentially become vital nesting ground the Western Pond Turtle—a serendipitous outcome!
Our team is now going to be working closely with researchers and the campus utilities department on ways to protect the turtles and coordinate maintenance in this area.
western pond turtle. photo by James Bettaso, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
