As you know, we seeded the tract with native grasses and wildflowers in late-February. The future prairie is starting to green up a bit . We now need to determine exactly what we have coming up so we can know how to respond and insure the best result. The data collected from these semi-annual surveys, as well as the bird surveys, will also provide the basis for analyzing the impact and effectiveness of the restoration efforts.
To that end, we have scheduled a vegetation survey to be conducted on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10. The survey will be coordinated by our project intern Andrea Julian along with Aaron Brewer and Scott Havill.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP CONDUCT THE SURVEYS! We can use volunteers with every level of experience. We certainly need some volunteers who have experience with native plant identification, however, you need not be an expert. We can also use volunteers to help record the data and assist with all other aspects of the survey. No experience needed for this part; only energy and enthusiasm!
If you are interested, please let us know by responding to this e-mail. You can participate for all day both days or for a few hours on either day. More specific information regarding survey times will be provided to volunteers at a later date.
This is a very important phase of the project. This is also an opportunity for you to become directly involved in this important restoration project and experience it first-hand. We hope that you will take the time to assist.
Thanks for your continued support.
Friday, 13 April 2012
VEGETATION SURVEY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - June 9-10.
We seeded the tract with native grasses and wildflowers in late-February. The future prairie is starting to green up a bit. We now need to determine exactly what we have coming up so we can respond and insure the best result. The data collected from these semi-annual surveys, as well as the bird surveys, will also provide the basis for analyzing the impact and effectiveness of the restoration efforts.
To that end, we have scheduled a vegetation survey to be conducted on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP CONDUCT THE SURVEYS! We can use volunteers with every level of experience. We certainly need some volunteers who have experience with native plant identification, however, you need not be an expert. We can also use volunteers to help record the data and assist with all other aspects of the survey. No experience needed for this part; only energy and enthusiasm! You can participate for all day both days or for a few hours on either day. More specific information regarding survey times will be provided to volunteers at a later date.
This is a very important phase of the project. This is also an opportunity for you to become directly involved in this important restoration project and experience it first-hand. We hope that you will take the time to assist.
Thanks for your continued support.
If you are interested, please let us know by sending an e-mail to commonsfordpro@gmail.com
To that end, we have scheduled a vegetation survey to be conducted on Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP CONDUCT THE SURVEYS! We can use volunteers with every level of experience. We certainly need some volunteers who have experience with native plant identification, however, you need not be an expert. We can also use volunteers to help record the data and assist with all other aspects of the survey. No experience needed for this part; only energy and enthusiasm! You can participate for all day both days or for a few hours on either day. More specific information regarding survey times will be provided to volunteers at a later date.
This is a very important phase of the project. This is also an opportunity for you to become directly involved in this important restoration project and experience it first-hand. We hope that you will take the time to assist.
Thanks for your continued support.
If you are interested, please let us know by sending an e-mail to commonsfordpro@gmail.com
Thursday, 1 March 2012
COMMONS FORD NEWS SEGMENT ON KXAN
News reporter Jim Swift produced a great news segment on the Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Project for KXAN Channel 4 in Austin (NBC). You can read and see thehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif segment here
NATIVE SEED PLANTING AT COMMONS FORD
Major developments in the last few weeks at Commons Ford. The initial seeding plan called for use of a broadcast seeding technique with the assistance of volunteers. Behind the scenes discussions led to the development of a new partnership with Native American Seed based in Junction, TX. While discussing the seed mix alternatives for the prairie, NAS suggested that a no-till drilling process would likely provide a higher seed germination rate. Unfortunately, the restoration budget was not sufficient to allow for the no-till drilling process. NAS, having taken a significant interest in the project and understanding the importance of every native prairie restoration effort, offered to conduct the no-till drilling for a substantially reduced fee resulting in a in-kind contribution to project.
The end result is that, on the weekend of February 24, 2012, we completed the seeding process using the no-till drilling method. The seed mix was prepared in consultation with NAS, Travis Audubon Society and Balcones Canyonland Preserve representatives as well as research conducted by Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Organization volunteers. The mix contains 67 native grasses and forbs which are appropriate for the sandy loam soil type and which are geared toward attracting and sustaining prairie bird species which depend on such vegetation for food, nesting and cover. Some of the species in the mix include little and big bluestem, side-oats grama, bush sunflower, American basketflower, Texas cupgrass and many more. Check out the pictures!
Friday, 20 January 2012
Restoration of Commons Ford: Progress Report
The arrival of cooler weather has spurred the restoration process at Commons Ford. With each passing day, the site is approaching the day when the native prairie seeds will be returned to the soil. When the restoration process was begun, the 40 acre site was covered in invasive grasses and shrubs. In the past, shrub growth here was limited by periodic fires, which used to sweep across the state in regular patterns. With the arrival of European settlers, fires began to be suppressed due to both safety issues and the monetary damage they would cause to crops, cattle and property.
In addition to the loss of fire, the widespread practice of planting exotic grass species has also had an impact on the native prairie ecosystems. Commons Ford, in its state prior to restoration, was the perfect example of what happens when a prairie system is disrupted by a combination of loss of fire and invasion by exotic plants. The woody plants, mainly mesquite, had taken over the prairie. Invasive grasses, namely Johnson grass, Bermuda grass and King Ranch Bluestem dominated the plant composition.
Here is a picture of the prairie, pre-restoration....
And here is a picture of it today....
The prairie is now in the process of being tilled and disked. This process breaks up the soil, which serves multiple purposes. First, it helps to break up and kill any remaining live roots. Further, it aerates the soil, inundating it with oxygen. This gives newly planted seeds the best chance of succeeding and taking over the prairie patch.
The disking and tilling is done using this machine, which is called a mole board plow.
The mole board plow process is then following by disking with a different device which smoothes the soil, preparing it for seeding. The smooth soil ensures direct contact with the seeds.
Seeding is scheduled for late March, early April. It will be exciting to see what changes this spring will bring!
In addition to the loss of fire, the widespread practice of planting exotic grass species has also had an impact on the native prairie ecosystems. Commons Ford, in its state prior to restoration, was the perfect example of what happens when a prairie system is disrupted by a combination of loss of fire and invasion by exotic plants. The woody plants, mainly mesquite, had taken over the prairie. Invasive grasses, namely Johnson grass, Bermuda grass and King Ranch Bluestem dominated the plant composition.
Here is a picture of the prairie, pre-restoration....
And here is a picture of it today....
The prairie is now in the process of being tilled and disked. This process breaks up the soil, which serves multiple purposes. First, it helps to break up and kill any remaining live roots. Further, it aerates the soil, inundating it with oxygen. This gives newly planted seeds the best chance of succeeding and taking over the prairie patch.
The disking and tilling is done using this machine, which is called a mole board plow.
The mole board plow process is then following by disking with a different device which smoothes the soil, preparing it for seeding. The smooth soil ensures direct contact with the seeds.
Seeding is scheduled for late March, early April. It will be exciting to see what changes this spring will bring!
Monday, 26 September 2011
Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Project Receives a Grant from TogetherGreen
The Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Project has received another grant which results in complete funding of the budget for the native prairie restoration project which will bring the central tract of Commons Ford Park back to its former tall grass glory. The grant is from TogetherGreen, a joint venture between the National Audubon Society and Toyota. The Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Organization was awarded a grant of $15,000 which will be used to pay a portion of the seed costs. Initial planting is scheduled for the winter of 2011/2012.
TogetherGreen was launched in 2008 in order to fund conservation projects, train environmental leaders, and offer volunteer opportunities that will significantly benefit the environment. The Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Organization is involved in this project with numerous partners including Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Native Prairies Association of Texas, Austin Parks Foundation and Travis Audubon Society. The grant is awarded in recognition of the long-term beneficial effects which the restoration will have on endangered and threatened grassland bird species.
Recently, Stu Wilson, long time Travis Audubon Society member and active birder, as well as co-founder of the Organization, attended the Innovation Grants Training Workshop at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Conference topics included how to keep a project well funded and ways in which to evaluate the success of the project. We are happy to announce that our project seems to be right on track!
Now that the funds are secured, it is time to get down and dirty (quite literally) with the prairie restoration process. The first herbicide treatment of the invasive grasses was done in July. Before planting can commence, we will apply one more herbicide treatment and disc the 40 acre tract in order to break up the sod and destroy any remaining invasive roots.
Thanks so much to TogetherGreen, National Audubon, and Toyota for this grant. Without the generosity of organizations like this, our dreams of restoring Commons Ford Prairie would be much harder, even impossible, to achieve.
To find out more about TogetherGreen, visit them at their website.
TogetherGreen was launched in 2008 in order to fund conservation projects, train environmental leaders, and offer volunteer opportunities that will significantly benefit the environment. The Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Organization is involved in this project with numerous partners including Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Native Prairies Association of Texas, Austin Parks Foundation and Travis Audubon Society. The grant is awarded in recognition of the long-term beneficial effects which the restoration will have on endangered and threatened grassland bird species.
Recently, Stu Wilson, long time Travis Audubon Society member and active birder, as well as co-founder of the Organization, attended the Innovation Grants Training Workshop at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Conference topics included how to keep a project well funded and ways in which to evaluate the success of the project. We are happy to announce that our project seems to be right on track!
Now that the funds are secured, it is time to get down and dirty (quite literally) with the prairie restoration process. The first herbicide treatment of the invasive grasses was done in July. Before planting can commence, we will apply one more herbicide treatment and disc the 40 acre tract in order to break up the sod and destroy any remaining invasive roots.
Thanks so much to TogetherGreen, National Audubon, and Toyota for this grant. Without the generosity of organizations like this, our dreams of restoring Commons Ford Prairie would be much harder, even impossible, to achieve.
To find out more about TogetherGreen, visit them at their website.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Commons Ford PRO to Receive Grant from Austin Parks Foundation
Earlier this week, Austin Parks Foundation advised Commons Ford PRO that it would fully fund its most receipt grant request in the amount of $25,000. This grant ensures that the organization has sufficient funds to purchase the native seed needed for the planned December planting. A BIG THANK YOU to Austin Parks Foundation!
The Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is a non-profit advocacy group that works with volunteers as well as city departments in order to maintain and improve our cities green spaces. Our parks are our inheritance to our future generations. Maintaining the integrity of Austin parks is a big job that cannot be done by one small group alone. Thus, APF awards grants like the one given to the Commons Ford Restoration Project to organizations in order to allow other organizations to plan and make improvements to city parks.
If you would like to get involved with APF, there are several ongoing opportunities available, including Adopt-a-Park programs and trail building and maintenance. See the APF website for more information or to become a member.
UPDATE ON RESTORATION:
The first stage of restoration, removal of mesquites, began in May. Efforts to remove the invasive grasses in the future prairie will begin in mid-July. The park may be closed for a few specific days during the removal process, but should be open during its normal hours on all other days. Signs marking the treatment area will be posted with specific details regarding the treatment process. For more information regarding Commons Ford rules and hours, see the Austin Parks and Recreations departments website. 
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