Prairie Reconstruction Projects

Friends of Hickory Hill Park Prairie Reconstruction Project

This summer (2003) Friends of Hickory Hill Park will begin preparing 6 1/2 acres for prairie reconstruction. The goals of the project are to create a more beautiful and sustainable park-a park that is biologically diverse, provides better wildlife habitat, and builds better soil quality and stability.
In addition we hope this prairie project will serve as an educational tool for the community and a progressive step toward healthier and more ecologically sound land management techniques.

The chosen location for the prairie is the open grassy slope northeast of the Dodge/Conklin entrance. The selection of the site was made in consultation with Professor Diana Horton, who is working to complete a vegetation management plan for the park. We are now consulting with the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department to get the prairie plan approved. Here is another map of the park.

This plan was put together by board members and volunteers, and was presented at our annual meeting on April 28, 2003. The current plan represents a multi-year commitment to reconstruction. We believe this plan will yield a successful, healthy and diverse prairie.

We want to hear from you-
If you have any questions about this plan or if you would like to become actively involved in the process, please contact the prairie subcommittee:

Sarah Walz, 466-0908 or
walz_dot_sarah_at_gmail_dot_com

Mike Fallon, 339-7296 or
nativelandscaping_at_gmail_dot_com

Photos of the prairie
reconstruction site

April 24, 2004

May 2004

June/early July 2004

Volunteers cleared multiflora rose and gray dogwood back to the wood land edge.
(2003)

The dead branches in this photo are multiflora rose canes that have been cut.
(2003)

Volunteers prepare to clear
multiflora rose
from the prairie site.

(2003)

Timeline:

Summer 2003: Site Preparation
The site will need to be mowed twice over the summer in order to inhibit seed production by the brome pasture grasses that now dominate the site. Mowing will also establish a fire break around the site as well as walking paths through the future prairie.
. 1st mowing by July 10
. 2nd mowing by August 1
In order to prepare the site for mowing we will need to remove invasive shrubs and other woody material. This includes multiflora rose (a highly invasive non-native shrub), cedar, and black locust (another non-native
species).
. Woody species removal May 17 and May 31

Fall 2003: Site Preparation Continues
Our primary concern with vegetation removal is the risk of erosion and the persistence of the brome grass species present on the site. Chemical treatment will be handled by a certified professional and the site will be posted. This approach presents an advantage over tilling since plant roots will stay in place to hold the soil on the slope.
. 3rd and final seasonal mowing by October 1
. Treat the site with glyphosate in order to eliminate all vegetation (after 1st frost).
Seed selection and collection are great opprotunities for volunteers to be involved with the continued planning for the prairie.
. Volunteer seed collection from a remote site in late October/early November.
. Order additional local ecotype seed from distributor by early December.

Spring 2004: Site Maintenance
An early spring burn will activate the remaining seed bed and clear the site for seeding. The burn will be directed by professionals with some volunteers.
. Spring burn tentatively schedule for the first week of March.
. Prairie seeding will take place within two weeks from the completion of the burn.

Summer-Fall 2004: Site Maintenance Continued
Regular maintenance by volunteers will be essential during the first 2-3 years as the prairie plants become established. Monthly mowing will be required in order to maintain fire breaks and walking paths through the
prairie site and to ensure that prairie species have a good chance to compete with faster growing invasive grasses. There may be situations in which invasive species such as Queen Anne's lace or Canada thistle will need to be removed by hand. If this is the case, we will organize a
volunteer removal project.

The site will be assessed in the fall. Additional seeding may be required at this time.

Spring-Fall 2005: Site Maintenance Continued
Regular maintenance by volunteers continues.  Monthly mowing will maintain firebreaks, walking paths and ensure that prairie species have a good chance to compete with faster growing invasives.  There may be situations in which invasive species such as Queen Anne's lace or Canada thistle will need to be removed by hand.  If this is the case, we will organize a volunteer removal project.

Long term
Site will be burned every 3-5 years to prevent the development of woody vegetation, control invasive plants, and to invigorate native prairie species.