In May 2016, students and volunteers completed the installation of the second bed in Menominee Park, near the Miller's Bay (Melvin Avenue Stormwater Pump Station). Below is a visual sequence of the actual day's events.
Step one: Clear the site of stones, sod and other barriers to seed growth.
Step two: Spread native seeds
Step three: Lay and secure erosion control matting to prevent loss of seed and flow of disturbed soil into the lake. The matting also has the effect of slightly reducing dryout during hot spells.
Step four: We installed nearly 100 native plugs to help stabilize the soil and to create a healthy growth the first two seasons as seeds become established.
Step five: Not a routine step in restoration, but a few Parks Advisory Board members have focused on plant height as an evaluation of success, resulting in the committee taking steps to remove taller species from the existing north bed and transplanting to the new bed, along with donations of over 200 plants to Growing Oshkosh, the Sheldon Nature Center, and the Oshkosh Garden Club.
The Shoreland Group continues to take responsible steps in maintaining a fully healthy restoration site consistent with established city goals while responding to the isolated concern of plant height through community education, engagement in the process, and the gradual transplanting of the tallest species to other community sites that support native plant communities.
Gaps created in the new bed were filled with a diverse selection of low growth native seeds.
Step six: Celebrate, and take a photo of you with your work! Special thanks to all of the students from UW Oshkosh's Quest III Sociology Class led by Paul van Auken
