General
Key underlyig goals or ideas are to improve the ecological diversity, quality, services, and interest of relatively small areas that can, potentially, aggregate into larger symbiotic composites. Individual areas/projects often evidence a particular ecological feature, such as a notable specimen, or multiple clusters of a particular species, or a partiular natural formation, like a stream or a rare or very large tree. The main point is to focus first on what is there, build on it, keep the scale and effort doable, and develop connections, where possible.Riparian North
This project is seeking to enhance a section of a continuous running stream 6-8 feet wide and extending some 250 yards north-south from where it enters ChicoryLane property to where it is joined by another stream that flows east-west. The riparian area of concern extends some 50 feet on each side of the stream, varying according to the topography. The stream is the primary natural feature of the area along with an enormous Crack Willow tree. The area also includes some 80 native plant species. Particularly notable are American Plum; Nannyberry, Arrowwood, and BlackHaw Vibernum; Serviceberry; Canada Lilies; and Spicebush. The main focus of this project is enhancement through increasing seleced species, reducing less desirable or invasive ones, and introduce several complementary new species not ccurrently found in this area.
Riparian South
This project is seeking to enhance the continunatiion of the Riparian North stream below its junction with the east-west steream and continuing until it exits the ChicoryLane property to the south-west. This segment is of similar width and flow and extends another 250 yeards. Perhaps its most notable feature is some fifteen additional Crack Willows along its length. The first of these is of similar age to the "mother" tree near the streams junction, but others added over the years now range from 10 feet in height to as tall as the original pair- some 60-70 feet. Other prominent species include Aspens, Speckled Alder, and Calmus. Again, the main focus of the project is stewardship of the Crack Willows as well as enhancement through increasing seleced species, reducing less desirable or invasive ones, and introduce complementary new species not ccurrently found in the area.
Riparian East, Part 1
This project is seeking to enhance a section of a smaller stream that joins the noth-south stream. It begins at its junction with the larger stream and continues upstream to the east past the ChcioryLane barn, house, and yard; we arbitrarily draw the line of this part of the stream at the east edge of the yard, for a total distance of some 200 yeards. Notable species include a sizeable stand of Aspen trees, a patch of Reed Canary Grass (undesirable), a large Blue Vervaine patch, a dozen or so Elderberry, a stream crossing, a second grove of Aspens with Scillia and Daffiodils, and large patches of Comfrey and deep maroon native Bergamot, multiple Crannberry Viburnum, a Butternut Tree, and a small patch of multiple herabaceous natives including Trilium and Bloodroot.. The main focus of the project is enhancement through increasing seleced species, reducing less desirable or invasive ones (especially Reed Canary Grass), and introduce complementary new species not ccurrently found in that area.
Riparian East, Part 2
This project is seeking to enhance the continuation of the Part 1 Riparian East stream, from the east edge of the yard upstream until it exits the ChicoryLane property several hunded yards further east. Whereas the Part 1 segment borders the more developed sections of the property adjacent to the house, yard, and barn, the Part 2 segment borders a naturlized pollinator field and a small portion of a Native Grasses grassland. Notable species other than the grasses and herbaceous pollinators include a small grove of Amercian Beech, Hophornbeam, and Musclewood trees. The main focus of the project is enhancement through increasing seleced species, reducing less desirable or invasive ones, and introduce several complementary new species not ccurrently found in that area. It will largely be a streambank and floodplain enhancement.
July, 2022
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