The Marywood campus has a great deal of land health transformation happening right now. Soon we will begin to share more about all that has happened over the course of this past season as well as share more details about the large-scale ecological restoration project that is well underway. Ideally, however, you will want to we see for yourself, perhaps by joining us at our biggest volunteer land stewardship effort yet that takes place in just a few short weeks.
We have a special opportunity on November 13, 14 and 21 to embark upon something we have not yet ventured into doing this season: forest stewardship. Thanks to community partner Kent Conservation District and grant funding they secured for this initiative through the Wege Foundation, we are turning our attention to the forest on the far west side of the campus, see Marywood Forest image attached.
The forest contains natural and cultural amenities for wildlife and people. The Coldbrook Creek, a tributary of the Grand River, runs through its interior and the St. Francis Sculpture Garden provides a walking path with contemplative stopping points centered around sculptures that promote peace through depictions of the patron saint of animals and ecology.
Like many urban wooded areas, this natural area serves as a refuge for many forest inhabitants but, unfortunately, also high populations of non-native, invasive trees and shrubs that birds have introduced by consuming their fruit in outlying areas and depositing their seeds onto the forest floor.
Over time, the invasive trees and shrubs outcompete ecologically balanced native species and cause significant harm to the plants and animals that have found refuge here. The most concerning invasive “woody” plants we will be targeting for the forest stewardship workdays will be Buckthorn and non-native Honeysuckle. For a glimpse of what we will be doing, examine the attached image that features these two invasive species surrounding a young Sugar Maple. If we do not take action to remove the Buckthorn and Honeysuckle they will continue to outcompete this native member of the forest plant community.
Seeking Volunteers from Neighborhood & Community
We are seeking volunteers and encouragement on this mission of caring for Earth in community with others. Join for the workday activities — stop by to cheer from the sidelines or dive in with us to make a dent and save the trees of this forest! Invite others to learn-by-doing land stewardship together in this important woodland habitat. No experience is necessary.
NOVEMBER FOREST STEWARDSHIP WORKDAYS:
- Friday, Nov. 13, 9:00 am-12:00 pm (morning only)
- Saturday, Nov. 14, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (morning and afternoon shifts)
- Saturday, Nov. 21, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (morning and afternoon shifts)
Lunch will be provided during the Saturday workdays. Refreshments and sincere gratitude for your participation will also be provided.
Registration required, see more details here: https://forms.gle/xi8DVFo86KNRUMSf7
Objective: Manage and Remove Invasive Species in Woods at Marywood in Grand Rapids
Venture into the forest with us, to witness what is happening to the ecological integrity of this special natural area. You will soon discover that magnificent hardwood trees like Shagbark Hickory, Oak, Maple, Basswood, Black Walnut, along with interesting understory trees, like Pawpaw, and wide range of native groundcovers are becoming threatened by invasive shrubs.
As is the case in most urban forests, the rapid spread of non-native, invasive Buckthorn and Honeysuckle have impaired the ecological health of these woods by outcompeting the biodiverse plant community that is naturally found on this land.
In order to repair habitat, it is critical that we first manage the invasive species through removal. This is a large scale effort that will take many years (decades) of careful land care and management. It is only through partnerships and community support that we can even begin the process. Thank you for interest in participating in this ambitious, yet tremendously rewarding effort.
Where Did Plants Come From? Why is is Problematic?
Morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) is an invasive shrub from eastern Asia that was brought to the United States in 1852 as an ornamental and for erosion control [1][3]. It forms dense thickets in woodland edges, old fields, and yards, spreading when birds eat its red berries and drop the seeds [2][3]. MISIN tracks it because it leafs out early and shades out native wildflowers, shrubs, and tree seedlings [2][4]. Source https://www.misin.msu.edu/facts/10
Common buckthorn is native to Eurasia and was introduced
to North America in the 1880s as an ornamental plant. Its
abundant fruit is dispersed by birds and it spreads rapidly,
replacing native vegetation and lowering species diversity.
Like many non-native shrubs, common buckthorn leafs out
early in spring and retains its leaves late into fall, shading out
spring wildflowers and tree seedlings. Source https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/invasive-species/CommonBuckthornBCP.pdf
