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Native Prairie Restoration <br /> <br />My latest passion is the restoration and reconstruction of micro native plant <br />communities throughout the city. As mentioned in the section on Woodland <br />Trails, I have been working on small native prairies since the mid 90's. <br />Ctm'ently, these projects have become a major focus for my volunteer <br />efforts. In addition to the projects at Woodlands, I am currently working on <br />sites at Oak Savannah Park, south of the fair grounds; the welcome to Elk <br />River sign site along Highway 10 near Orono Park; Oak Knoll Park; the <br />Great Northern Trail near Meadowvale School; Camp Cozy Park; and the <br />east entrance to Elk River sign site. <br /> <br />Restoration of the sites includes site preparation, seeding by using a drill that <br />we borrow from the State-blighway Department, hand planting, mowing to <br />control weeds during the first growing season, watering to improve plant <br />germination and survival during the first growing season, and hand gathering <br />of seeds to keep the project costs down. <br /> <br />Each spring and fall, I organize volunteers to help bum several of these sites <br />on a rotating basis as a management tool to control cool season grasses, non- <br />native plants and woody vegetation. These bums are coordinated with the <br />Elk River Fire Department and DNR for safety. The Elk River Fire <br />Department also uses these bums as a practice exercise for their volunteers <br />and equipment. <br /> <br />The goal of these projects is to provide the community with low <br />maintanence areas with high aesthetic qualities that will last and improve for <br />generations. <br /> <br /> <br />