Upper Bill's Woods Planting Project

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Upper Bill’s Woods Planting Project

Tom Helgeson helps prepare the project area for planting

The newly graded open area before planting

Prairie flowers planted in 2001 in the open area (summer 2002)

The Project

The first planting project was begun in 1999, before the formation of the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve in the northwest corner of Bill's Woods, an area formerly used for storage of mulch, compost and other materials. The Friends, in cooperation with the Preserve Committee, has been continuing the work of reclaiming it. Our goal is to establish, in the degraded project area, native vegetation which will grade from open woodland to savanna. We welcome contributions for plants!

Work Done So Far

     When we began, the soil was heavily compacted and much of the topsoil was gone. Several large oaks had died and no trees remained in the center of the site. A disturbance community of invasive plants covered the site. A hard-packed gravel work road remained and a severe erosion problem had developed.
     In the first two years of the project we removed alien weeds and replaced them with many native plants including some tree and shrub seedlings. Many native wildflowers have been planted in the wooded portion of the site. More woodland plants are added each growing season, and many of these are now well-established and beginning to spread.
    In 2001, the Grounds department finished grading the open, treeless part of the site. In this section we planted some plants and many seeds of prairie and savanna species. We also have planted groups of acorns in an attempt to start a savanna community. Most of these germinated and the seedlings are doing well under protective wire mesh.

Bloodroots planted in spring 2000 flower in the woodland area in 2002

Glenda Denniston planting violets in Bill's Woods, summer 2002

Columbine planted in 2001 are in flower, May 2002

Future Work on the Project

In December, 2002, the Friends will add more seeds to the open prairie/savanna area. More native plants will be added to both woodland and open areas in the spring of 2003. We will also do more clean up work in the woods and keep invasive species under control. All are welcome to join our Saturday morning volunteer work parties when they begin again in the spring.

Information

For more information about the project and about how to help, call Glenda Denniston (231-1530).

Your support for plant purchases would be greatly appreciated!

The Friends organization welcomes contributiions for plant purchases. Write checks to Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, put "Upper Bill's Woods Planting Project" in memo line, and mail to PO Box 55056/ Madison, WI 53705.

Thanks to klicksights.com and the Friends Board. This web site is kindly hosted by the U.W. Alumni Association and is maintained by S.Slapnick.

UW Preserve Web Site