Protecting the Greenway
Restoration Projects at Baird Creek
In an effort to improve the quality of wildlife habitat in the area, Baird Creek Preservation Foundation has been busy working on some restoration projects. One of the restoration sites is located near the Highway 54/57 interchange and Huron Road. This restoration site is a result of a Department of Transportation project when Highway 5457 was redone. There is a shared responsibility for this site involving the City of Green Bay and Brown County. Baird Creek Preservation Foundation received $1500 from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant in April of 2007. BCPF was responsible for an in-kind match for volunteer hours. Glacierland RC&D assisted BCPF in getting the grant.
Burr Oak trees were planted at the site along with dogwood, juniper, and amelanchier. The trees were purchased from and delivered by Tillman Landscaping. The City of Green Bay dug holes for the trees, and BCPF volunteers placed the trees in the ground. Mulch was spread around the trees and collars were placed on the trees to protect them. The planting took place on Earth Day. Mayor Jim Schmitt, along with some City Council members were present on the day of the planting.
As part of the grant contract, BCPF is responsible for site maintenance for 3 years. Brown County took on the responsibility of watering the trees. Last year there was a gypsy moth infestation that was resolved by Baird Creek volunteers. They had to remove the caterpillars from the trees, wrap the trees with clothes, and replace the protective collars. Most of the trees recovered well, some died and had to be replaced. Work is still in progress by our interns who are managing this site. They continue to monitor the seedlings for infestations and clear unwanted vegetation from encroaching on the seedlings.
We can officially say that this particular site appears to be a successful restoration project.
Baird Creek Preservation Foundation received an extension to the DNR Urban Forestry Grant and were able to restore an additional site. This site is located on McKenzie Lane, just at the edge of the Parkway. In order to alleviate erosion issues plaguing the creek, a stormwater retention pond was created. Equipment necessary to construct the pond disturbed existing habitat, and BCPF used this opportunity to research the Native American habitat that existed in this area hundreds of years ago. We discovered that it was likely an Oak Savanna, and set about finding funding, gaining permission, and organizing volunteers to restore this area as much as possible to its original state.
We are working to restore the Oak Savanna and have received much support from the City of Green Bay Parks and Recreation Department, Department of Public Works, and the City Forester Mark Freburg. Eagle Scout Charlie Goldhahn built educational signs in the area that tell the history of the site. Brock Robinson donated and helped plant over 100 seedlings. This restoration was also made possible by the hard work of the BCPF Land Management Committee. Many volunteers assisted us in planting the Oak seedlings on Earth Day in 2009.
Our interns are currently managing this site to ensure the survival of our Oak seedlings by removing any gypsy moth caterpillars from the seedlings. They recently created a map and documented the status of each seedling to better monitor this site. The City of Green Bay has assisted us in the continued maintenance of this site by watering and trimming the seedlings, as well as mowing the site in order to control the invasive species.
Baird Creek Preservation Foundation would like to thank everyone for their help in making the restorations possible including the DNR for providing us with the Urban Forestry Grant.
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Baird Creek Earthfest Leaves Park Pristine
Over 100 volunteers participated in the Earth Week cleanup Saturday April 17th at Baird Creek Park. The park was cleaned of garbage from end to end. Over 100 volunteers including student and church groups, scout troops, and many families helped. One team also painted over graffiti on two of the bridges in the park. The Lenss family put in a full day clearing the trails of fallen trees. The BCPF would like to thank Fleet Farm for donating garbage bags, McDonalds for orange drink, Kavarna for coffee and breakfast bars, and the Lamberts for their generous donation of bagels, cream cheese, and fruit. We would like to thank the group from Kohls for their support of education activities at Baird Creek. And a special thank you goes out to Jodi Arendt for organizing the entire Earth Week’s activities and providing publicity for all of the events.
Baird Creek is a wonderful place!
Our goal for the Baird Creek Parkway is to preserve and restore native woodlands, wet lands and prairies. Along with restoration of the lands adjacent to the creek much work has been started to meet another goal – that of crystal clear waters. Baird Creek at spring runoff and heavy rainy periods runs brown from soil erosion. A plan is being developed to greatly decrease erosion. That plan includes buffering (with dense vegetation of grasses and wildflowers) 150 feet on each side of the stream so sediments and nutrients are caught before the run- off water enters the stream. This works well in the non-wooded upstream sites. At the same time in appropriate locations wetlands will be introduced to clean up and hold the water longer upstream, leading to more of an even flow. Closer to town many retention ponds have been built with more to come. They are set up so with a large rainfall or spring run off they can hold the water and with a small diameter pipe allow the water to enter the stream at a slower pace. The water comes off the top of the pond after the sediments drop to the bottom. Does all this cost money? Definitely. We are now working on some grants to help make this happen. Grants will not cover engineering studies or administrative costs to make this all happen. That is where some of you might help.
Paul Hartman, Advancement Committee
