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Exciting News - Restoring Natural Habitat
I know I don't post here much but I wanted to share this with someone. We own a little under 3 acres of land with 1 1/2 ponds on it (our property goes through the smaller pond), marsh, and old growth forest. Long ago I contacted our Department of Natural Resources to see if we can do to restore or maintain this natural habitat. Surprisingly they weren't too concerned about the water itself but instead the wildlife in the pond. I found out yesterday a frog expert will be visiting to identify what kind of frogs live in our ponds and approximately how many. Listening to the frog calls she sent me I think we have at least 5 of the 11 native frogs in our area. It sounds like our ponds might be picked to do some upcoming re-introduction of a frog that is starting to decline! How cool would that be?
I also found out we might have a rare salamander in our ponds. We've seen them around and I have taken pictures of them so I need to dig them out to identify which one it might be. DH & I remember they didn't have much for markings (no blue spots, yellow blotches, or red stripes) so it very well could be it! In our state the salamander is considered a "species of concern" but in neighboring states it is endangered. If that is the case we might have a whole team from the DNR out here to study the little guys.
In other news our 2 pairs of mallard ducks, 1 pair of wood ducks, and 1 pair of Canadian geese are back on the ponds getting their nests ready. And the +200 acres of natural prairie across the street have just been burned so there will be a flurry of new plant life soon! Gotta love spring!
Re: Exciting News - Restoring Natural Habitat
That's so cool! (I'm a restoration ecologist in MN, so this is right up my alley... though I work with plants.) Although I love my little woodland yard in my little urban neighborhood, I would love to have a larger piece of property to restore...
Good luck with the frogs and salamanders!
Thanks girls. I think my co-workers think I'm nuts talking about frogs and salamanders. I'll update you with what I find out after they come visit in early May.
I remember you talking about your work before but I didn't realize you were just over in MN! I'm still trying to figure out what native plants I can put around the pond as we slowly remove the invasive plants like the honeysuckle. I'd love to have something like Blue Flag Iris mixed in with the tall grass that is currently there. I figure they would be good because they can handle the high or low water heights. What other native plants would you recommend?
We probably won't get to that area this year because we have a ton of second year garlic mustard to take care of throughout our property but it's always good to have a plan.
I'm up against a project deadline this evening, but I'll be happy to give you some ideas for native plants when I finish up--hopefully later this evening, but possibly tomorrow. I'll post back here or send you a PM. (If I forget, feel free to PM or page me and remind me!)
Real quick though... do you happen to know whether the grass growing around your pond is native species of grass/sedge or reed canary grass (which is invasive)? If it's RCG, you've got another big invasive species removal project on your hands... possibly a bigger problem (native species-wise) than the garlic mustard!
Gotta run, but will post more later/tomorrow...
Oh no problem. Whenever you have time.
Most of the grass along our mowed yard is some type of sedge. I don't know what kind I just know "sedges have edges" LOL. Out in the mostly non-accessible marsh I wouldn't be surprise if we have some of the reed canary grass though. I have seen seeds like that but I can't remember where off hand. Ugh.