MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 10, 2012 MEETING
OF THE CANANDAIGUA
BOTANICAL SOCIETY
15 Members gathered at FLCC.
Jim Engel, a landscaper spoke to the Members about his
proposed project to restore the Lagoon
Park off of Lakeshore Drive. He
proposes to remove invasive plants (primarily Buckthorn) and allow native
plants to come back and thrive. Non-native plants do not support native
insects, birds, wildlife creating a sterile environment. He has met with the
City of Canandaigua
and they have approved his idea with the caveat that he begin with a “demo”
area to assess how well this project might be.
The Members voted to approve this project, agreed to donate
$300.00 to be matched by the FLWA, and to send a donation letter to all members
of the Botanical Society.The Finger Lakes Watershed Alliance has pledged to
match all donations up to $3000; other companies, individuals, and
organizations will also be solicited with Bill Bross helping to write the
ask.
Here are photos and updates shared with us by Jim Engel on December 16, 2012:
Hello all.
I spent this past Thursday and Friday treating the invasive at lagoon park. I will finish up a few remaining patches this coming Monday. If you get a chance stop by and take a look. The view shed has opened up considerably especially the view of the water.
Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. You can't make an omelet without breaking an egg. Remember it is necessary to kill all of the invasives to make room for the native plants that will replace them.
Next spring when the remaining native plants leaf out the new foliage will obscure much of the brush. The plan is also to replant with native trees and shrubs especially where there was only buckthorn. Also after about a year the majority of the small twigs and small branches will become brittle and break up, the brush will gradually compact, naturally decompose and over time disappear.
I took a series of pictures to show the changes taking place. The first image is of the trail will buckthorn still in leaf , the second one is of the trail before treatment and the third is after treatment.
I spent this past Thursday and Friday treating the invasive at lagoon park. I will finish up a few remaining patches this coming Monday. If you get a chance stop by and take a look. The view shed has opened up considerably especially the view of the water.
Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. You can't make an omelet without breaking an egg. Remember it is necessary to kill all of the invasives to make room for the native plants that will replace them.
Next spring when the remaining native plants leaf out the new foliage will obscure much of the brush. The plan is also to replant with native trees and shrubs especially where there was only buckthorn. Also after about a year the majority of the small twigs and small branches will become brittle and break up, the brush will gradually compact, naturally decompose and over time disappear.
I took a series of pictures to show the changes taking place. The first image is of the trail will buckthorn still in leaf , the second one is of the trail before treatment and the third is after treatment.
Jim