Restoring Nature
Loss of trees due to logging or windthrow, fire (caused by nature or humans), increased streamside erosion (urban streams show greater water fluctuations), soil erosion caused by vehicles and foot traffic, and non-native invasive plants.
In urban areas, invasive plants are usually the biggest and most controllable factor. However, the other five factors play a role and must be considered in project planning: fewer trees mean more light and the presence of more species of invasive plants e.g. knotweed and hogweed. Trails and streams (especially with increased erosion) are a factor in spreading invasive plants. With this in mind, these are the project stages for most urban sites:
Assessing the Site
Ask these questions
- Can you identify the boundaries for restoration? How big is the area?
- What are the valuable features e.g. patch of rare plants, wildlife trees?
- What is the main factor impacting the site? Is it invasive plants?
- What are the species? How are they distributed? How are they spreading?
- Within the site, are there boundaries to spread e.g. creek, rock, path?
- Is it safe for working e.g. steep or slippery, toxic plants (giant hogweed)?
- Does the owner have liability insurance or require you to have it?
- Are neighbours willing to control invasive plants at the boundary?
- What long will it take? Consider doing a representative test patch with a timer, measure the area and then calculate the time for the whole area.
- Will any part need replanting e.g. bare patches >4 sq m?
- How much might replanting cost, based on 1 m spacing at $5 per plant?
- Who will monitor for and remove surviving invasive plants and for how long?
Take good photographs as the “before” and to assist in planning.
Planning
- Obtain plan approval from the landowner
- Obtain permission from the Environmental Protection Officer if working within 15 m of a stream
- Obtain liability insurance
- Prioritise work areas. Start with protection of valuable features or small isolated patches. Next, address lightly infested areas and work inwards towards the motherlode. Try to plan a section where there is a barrier to spread at the margins e.g. creek, rock, path
- Plan timing for work e.g. when ground is soft (easier to remove roots) and when there is no active nesting (September – February). If work might impact a creek in any way work should occur in August or first two weeks in September, see permission above
- Establish plan for replanting where necessary. Is the site dry, medium or wet? Is it sunny, partly sunny or shaded? What native plants are growing nearby? Consult: Native Plants.
- Advise landowner and neighbours when work will take place.
Removing Non-native & Invasive Plants
yellow lamium is persistent and requires covering with black plastic for at least one year although very small patches can be removed by digging, in ideal conditions.
larger holly and cherry laurel must be cut. If herbicide use is not permitted (painting of the cut stump or drilling and stem injection), many cuttings of regrowth will be required. Coverage of stumps by black plastic for several years might be effective.
Cut larger Scot’s broom at time of flowering. Pulling disturbs too much soil which causes dormant seeds to germinate. These can stay viable in the soil for decades.
English ivy, periwinkle, Himalayan balsam, small plants of Scot’s broom, holly, cherry laurel and spurge (Daphne) laurel can be removed by hand pulling, ensuring that as much root structure is removed as possible.
Himalayan blackberry requires root removal (after removing stems, for access).
Work gloves, long pants and sleeves should be worn at all times as some plants are toxic (spurge laurel), irritating, or have thorns.
Replanting
- Recheck the planting plan. Perhaps there are more or fewer bare patches than anticipated. Reassess the site for degrees of moisture and shade.
- Check for “weeds” in pots with new plants
- Plant in the fall or early spring.
- Watering might be required during the first summer if it is dry.
Monitoring
- Regularly check the soil around the new plants and water if necessary
- Re-check the area for invasive plants and remove them at least annually
- Take photographs as the “after”.
This is a very general summary. Some points will not apply to small private projects and larger projects will require a more comprehensive list.
Celebrate the success of your restoration!
With habitat and species disappearing almost everywhere, this helps deal with the sense of loss. Please contact Green Admiral if you would like a free consultation or want to invite us to your celebration!
Get in Touch Today
We can help restore nature in your environment
Call: 604-317-8903
Email: wmcleod@greenadmiral.ca