A Native Meadow Takes Root Along Willowsford Lane
You may have never noticed the small meadow beside Grassland Grove and Willowsford Lane. Tucked behind the popular walking path and tiny in size compared to most of the meadows in Willowsford, it is easy to pass by on the way to the Lodge or Boat House. But take a closer look the next time you are walking or driving by and you’ll find a new project to make it an even more diverse and valuable habitat.
The HOA owns and manages this parcel, and while many of the landscapes surrounding Willowsford’s HOA amenities are manicured, other HOA-owned areas are intentionally left as natural landscapes. The HOA and Willowsford Conservancy teams collaborate on the stewardship of these areas, bringing together their respective expertise and resources to support the community’s natural environment.
The meadow along Willowsford Lane is one example. It already contains a nice collection of native grasses and has served as an outdoor classroom. Conservancy staff have used the meadow for Girl Scout education programs, including opportunities to learn about native grasses and collect native seeds.
Now, the Conservancy’s Assistant Land Stewardship Manager Sam Adams is heading up a demonstration project to turn this into a native meadow for the HOA. With a multi-year plan to increase the diversity of native grasses and wildflowers, Sam and his colleagues will also work to reduce the invasive plants that compete with them.
Work began last fall, when the meadow was brush hogged to cut back existing vegetation and prepare portions of the site for restoration. Since then, Sam has been tackling invasive plants throughout the project area and then working on the restoration plan which combines ongoing invasive management with seeding and native plug planting.
Residents should begin to see that work take shape this fall and next year. The seed mix includes warm-season grasses and native wildflowers such as little bluestem, Virginia wildrye, purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, butterfly weed, asters, goldenrods, mountain mint and more. Native plant plugs will supplement areas where seeds cannot be established as well, and will also be concentrated in highly visible areas where residents can enjoy them.
Some of those plants will come from very close to home. The project will incorporate native plants grown at the Conservancy’s own Native Plant Nursery at Willowsford. And you can bring some of that native habitat home with you, too. Visit the Native Plant Nursery at one of our upcoming plant sales to find native plants for your own yard, or visit our online store anytime to browse available plants and place an order.
By Sophie Lambert, Executive Director
If you have any questions:
Reach out to us at info@willowsfordconservancy.org