The Barred Owls, Branch Hoppers and Short-tailed Weasels Wrap-up Service at Connelly Creek

Our oldest cage with our most established plants

This was the last service outing of the fall season for the BEC and as such we arrived at the service site this morning with a clear but varied set of tasks.  Our wide focus was to have the site cleaned up and put away so that we could confidently leave it alone until we have our next set of service outings in the spring season. 

Covering the ground with canvas and then mulch around plants

One of our most important missions was to make sure that we had done all we could to give the native plants their best chance of surviving the winter.  Boys on previous service outings this season put in some really great work erecting deer-proof cages, planting native plants in them and then mulching the inside of the cages to prevent other vegetation from growing.  We took some special care today paying attention to each individual plant and making sure that it had a good, thick ring of mulch around its base.  We had to do this carefully to prevent mulching right up the the stem. We learned that mulch or cardboard touching the stem could rub the bark off of the plant and subject it to disease and lessen its chance of survival.

Mulch rings in place

We also took some time to set up smaller stick barriers around some plants that we had planted outside of the cages to try to protect them from being inadvertently stepped on while they are still small.

Mulch ring with stick barrier

We found some large, dead pieces of a willow tree and got to work sawing it into manageable sized pieces that we placed on the stream bank. We did this to help prevent erosion from the anticipated rains and heaver stream flows of the winter months.

Cutting up a large willow branch

We used the spare time that we had after tucking the plants in for winter to liberate a partially fallen willow from reed canary grass and blackberry vines.

Removing blackberry vines from the top of the partially fallen willow

With new room to breathe, we hope this willow can thrive again

After a final sweep of the site for gloves, loppers, clippers, shovels or rakes left behind, we were satisfied that we did enough to feel good about leaving the site until spring.  We had our closing circle as we always do on BEC outings and gave thanks that we had the opportunity to give back to the land that affords us wonderful spaces to play and learn together.

As explorers, what we lack in physical size and strength, we make up for with cooperation and the size of our collective heart.  It was powerful to see how much great restoration work we were able to get done as the BEC this fall season at Connelly Creek.

Some explorers showing us what cooperation looks like

Be sure to check out the rest of the pictures from the day here!