5.3. SR 02-24-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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