Habitat Restoration

Habitat restoration is one of the most important things that we do! Once we have protected a property, either by owning it or through a conservation easement, our goal for the property is to keep it or restore it to a natural state, allowing native plants and animals to flourish.

Habitat restoration typically involves the removal of invasive species of plants. Once invasive plants are removed, native plants will often return on their own, although sometimes we will give nature a helping hand, for example by reseeding.

Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) – This is the biggest problem invasive plant species in our area. Therefore we always will remove these plants from our preserves, although it can take years to clear an entire forest.

Treatment: Very small honeysuckle plants can be pulled up by the roots; however, honeysuckle plants can grow very large. Therefore, in most cases we cut the honeysuckle plant (with loppers or a saw) as close to the ground as possible, and then quickly treat the stump directly with a small amount of glyphosate (20% solution). In our experience, this approach is very effective and works any time of the year. Honeysuckle sprouts may reappear years after an area was cleared, and those must be dealt with as well.

More information:
For more information about WWC habitat restoration projects, please review this Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

For more information about controlling invasive honeysuckle, see Ohioline, Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants in Ohio Forests: Bush Honeysuckle.

This photo of the amur bush honeysuckle was taken by Tim Sisson.
Public Enemy #1!

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