FCNA News
Volume 1, Number 2 Spring 2002

Dedicated to the Preservation and Stewardship of our Woodlands, Wetlands, Prairies and Shorelines

     Would you like to make a real difference in the Campus Natural Areas while enjoying the satisfaction of hard work with congenial people? Beginning in April, the FCNA will have regular work parties, both on Saturday mornings and midweek afternoons (see box below).   

                  FCNA Entrance Project
      The FCNA has obtained CNAC approval for the first year of an exciting new project. This involves the enhancement of one of the most heavily used entrances to the CNA, the entrance to Picnic Point and Bill's Woods (see map). Most of this project will involve the restoration of a more than 70 year old deciduous woodland.

     The area will remain woodland, but the understory will be changed, gradually and incrementally. We will start by replacing selected invasive European buckthorn with native shrubs, understory trees, woodland wildflowers and ferns.   We will keep the structure of the woods intact, replacing invasives as soon as possible after their removal. 

     The FCNA welcomes donations for plants. Write checks to FCNA, put "Entrance Project" in memo line, and mail to PO Box 55056/ Madison, WI 53705.

Invasive Plant Control

      Beginning in early May, some of the work parties will pull and bag the invasive garlic mustard plants which threaten the diversity of our woodlands. This is satisfying work with a visible reward.

     Beginning in April, volunteers will continue to work in the northwestern corner of Bill's Woods, reclaiming the former compost pile area (see FCNA Web Site and FCNA News, Vol. 1, No.1).

           Plant and Animal Inventories
     The FCNA plans to begin a permanent database of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects seen in the CNA, to complement our bird database.  We also intend to maintain a list of plants and mushrooms of the CNA, area by area, and to keep phenological records (flowering dates and dates of occurrence). To help with any of these projects, contact Glenda (see box).