cktimes.ca Archives for Ecowrappin'


Ecowrappin'

With Darrell Randell

Look at the picture this year!

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

The largest response that I have ever received to the more than fifty Ecowrappin articles written, was the one that described the 2004 success of the native tall grass planting on 2 acres near my woodlot. Some people wanted to discuss what I did to get it growing, some were amazed that it grew at all.

The staff at Rural Lambton Stewardship Network, RLSN, planted it in May of 2004 and it just took right off. All I did was follow their advice on how to manage the planting. I basically just mowed at the right times, and correct height in order to control the broad leaf weeds. If last year was successful, this year is phenomenal.

Nancy and I burnt site in April 2005 before it started growing. This is recommended every few years in managing tall grass prairie as it clears away the old vegetative material, warms the soil, and encourages more vigorous new growth. Look at the picture of it this year!

It is taller than I am. Some of the old tales about native tall grass prairie here in Ontario, claim that Big Bluestem fields could actually conceal a man on horseback. I am starting to believe it. I do not have to get too far from my truck before it is out of sight.

Two weeks ago only the Big Bluestem was heading out to seed and the whole acreage seemed to have a purple tinge to it. Now that the Indian grass has headed out it is all a golden brown. That is not unusual as it seems to change in appearance between every visit.

The good folks at the RLSN were back this spring as well. They seeded native forbs into the site in attempt to create a full prairie with wildflowers included. In a proper prairie there are over a hundred different plant species of native grasses and forbs. I have not seen much sign of the forbs as yet but I expect that they will become more visible next year.

Native tall grass prairie is the most endangered ecosystem in North America. This makes sense as it was the first areas that European settlers could put to plough. For a long time, there were no serious efforts to restore or recreate what had been lost. People merely tried to identify and protect the few remaining remnants. It was the RLSN that pioneered the work to see rehabilitated prairie. Through trial and error and research, they have become the experts in Ontario.

Many species of wildlife benefit from this sort of habitat including many threatened ones. I expect them to move in anytime now!



Darrell Randell works for Ducks Unlimited Canada as a Conservation Programs Specialist in South West Ontario. Before that he was a Lambton County Pork Producer for 25 years. He served 2 terms on Sombra Township Council, 1994-2000, and is currently a councillor in St Clair Township. He is a past president of the Lambton County Federation of Agriculture. He was a founding member of the Rural Lambton Stewardship Network and served as chairman of that group from 1995-2003. He and Nancy have 3 grown children, each of whom they are extremely proud.