Use of Natives

The restoration site utilizes native plants, which are plants that originally grew in the area prior to the destruction of habitat.  These plants are adapted for our climate and environment, and support the health system of other living things such as birds and certain insects.

Native plants tend to have extensive root systems that can reach 20+ feet in depth, compared to about 6 inches for the current sod cover present in the park.  These root systems help to hold the soil in place while absorbing water and nutrients.  The impact is a both a filter and a buffer, protecting the lake from pollutants and excess nutrients that otherwise flow into the lake and damage water quality.

Shoreland Educational Sign

Special thanks to the Winnebago County Audubon and the National Audubon Society, who funded the addition of an educational sign that was installed at the site.  The sign was designed by committee members of the Friends of Menomonee Park Shoreland.

Plans are to fund one additional sign at the existing location to feature additional species of plants, to include an important thank you to Thomas Traxler and Marshland Transplant, and to detail sustainable water management principles.

Volunteers Flood Restoration Site For Clean Up

On August 21, 2012 about 40 volunteers from the community joined together at the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration site for a clean-up project.  We successfully removed all of the ragweed and the few other undesired plants from the area, including disposal of all of the pulled weeds.  The Northwestern featured a front page photo of the clean up.  No city staff assistance or resources were needed or present (though Parks staff were informed and supportive of the project day).

Photos are from the restoration day of two different native plant species at the site:  blue vervain (above) and cone flower (below).  Overall, the installation is doing remarkably well - especially considering the dry summer and the reality that no manual watering occurred.  

Native Plant Species at the Restoration Site

Our shoreland plant seed mix includes the following:

Native Prairie plants:  Lavender Hyssop, leadplant,butterfly milkweed,sky blue aster,smooth blue aster, lanceleaf coreopsis, white and purple clover, pale purple coneflower, round headed bushclover, rough blazingstar, wild lupine, dotted mint, smooth penstemon, black eyed susan, stiff goldenrod, showy goldenrod, ohio spiderwort, hoary vervain, side oats grama, little bluestem, june grass and prairie dropseed.

Native Shoreline plants: prairie cordgrass, hardstem bulrush, softstem bulrush, three square bulrush, sweet flag, swamp milkweed (photo), carex spp., blue flag iris, burreed, marsh marigolds,wool grass. 

Seeds have exclusively been provided through Marshland Transplant, with technical assistance provided at each planting session.  

Local Scientific Community Support for Restoration Project

UWO Students, Menominee Park neighbors and restoration professionals work together on phase 1 of the Menominee Park Restoration effort. 

The following is an email send to city officials on October 8, 2011 from a local biology scientist and neighbor of Menominee Park in support of shoreland restoration efforts:

Dear City Leaders,

As an aquatic biologist, educator and Menominee Park neighbor, I strongly support the shore land restoration effort in Menominee Park and ask that you consider this project for full support.  This project will provide unique educational opportunities for our students at UW Oshkosh, including hands-on opportunities to participate in an ecosystem restoration project.  In addition, the project will likely result in improved water quality in Millers Bay, as numerous studies from the peer-reviewed scientific literature have shown that wetlands and wetland plants improve water quality by filtering out various chemicals, including nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.   Finally, this project will increase biological diversity which provides numerous benefits to ecosystems and people.

Sincerely,

Bob Stelzer

************************
Robert Stelzer
Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
Dept. of Biology and Microbiology
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
www.uwosh.edu/biology/contact-us/stelzer-folder/dr.-robert-s.-stelzer
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 424-0845

Restoration Project Receives Community Award

The Oshkosh Parks Department has been honored with an award from the Oshkosh Collaboration Work Group for the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration Project.  

The award, presented by Dorry Wilner of the Oshkosh Police Department, was given in recognition of the long-range value of the project and the expansive partnerships created in the process of making this project possible.

The Oshkosh Collaboration Work Group started in 1993 as the result of a Collaboration Seminar led by Martin J Blank. The group's mission is to develop a collaborative system to meet the needs of people in Winnebago County in a timely and effective manner. Individuals are respected and resources are shared in order to assure positive outcomes for families.

Read the release here. 

A Shoreland Restoration Begins

We had a great turnout for phase 1 of our restoration project at the end of September 2011. (55 volunteers, 1 city counselor and the mayor, and neighbors of the park).  Special thanks to students from Oshkosh North High School and the UW Oshkosh Student Environmental Action Coalition for their great support.

Extensive seeding of native perennial shoreland and prairie plants was completed, with erosion control matting placed over, along with about 200 2-inch plugs scattered throughout.  We had to remove loads of rocks, and also  placed wood chips to create paths for fishers and park uses.   

Oshkosh Common Council Adopts Sustainability Plan, Endorses Shoreland Restoration

In May, 2012, the Oshkosh Common Council approved and adopted the City of Oshkosh Sustainability Plan.  This plan was previously approved and endorsed by both the Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board (June 2011) and the Oshkosh Plan Commission (April 2012).

The goal of the plan is to "Improve the quality of life in Oshkosh by incorporating sustainability practices to meet the environmental, economic and social needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

The sustainability plan recommends and advocates for restoration of the city's shoreland area in multiple sections of the plan, including:


pg 22. restore native vegetative buffers on city shoreland to protect against polluted run-off, improve aquatic habitat, discourage geese and decrease algae growth 


pg 24. encourage more native plantings on sites to reduce irrigation, protect shorelines and provide natural beautification.  



http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/SustainableOshkosh/assets/pdf/Sustainability_Plan_Draft_5-16-12.pdf

Why We Restore

UW-Extension Natural Resources Educator Bill Klase has developed an informational guide detailing the importance and value of naturalized shoreland.  This information was shared with Sustainability Advisory Board members during the development of the Miller's Bay plan.

The following is an exerpt from Klase discussing why we restore:

The vegetated area of land adjacent to lakes and rivers is often referred to as a shoreland or riparian buffer zone. This land serves as a bridge between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and performs many important functions. Studies performed by scientists and conservation groups across the country have shown that these vegetated areas protect water quality, serve as wildlife habitat and corridors and provide valuable social functions. These attributes take on greater importance as lakeshore and riverfront development increases. Increasingly, State and local ordinances are requiring that these vegetated tracts of land be preserved or restored with appropriate native vegetation.    

Water Quality improvement is a main benefit of a restored shoreline.  According to Klase:

In addition to filtering sediments, shoreland buffer zones also serve to stabilize shoreland banks, reducing bank erosion. The roots of the trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants help stabilize shorelines. These roots add structure to soils as well as increase water infiltration. The net result is a reduction in bank erosion and an increase in water quality. The vegetation also aids in slowing down the speed of the runoff water. By slowing down the velocity of runoff water, the coarser sediment particles settle out on land prior to reaching the water.

Improved aquatic wildlife habitit is also an excellent benefit.

Aside from reducing sedimentation that degrades aquatic habitat, shoreland buffer zones enhance this habitat through the deposition of woody debris and leaf litter. For the avid fisherman, shoreland buffer zones extending into the water are great habitat for fish. Aquatic plants not only help stabilize bottom sediments, but along with woody debris they provide structure for insects, snails, and other critters that small fish feed on. Larger game fish, the ones we enjoy catching and eating, feed on the small fish, and seek refuge amongst the underwater structure.

Another important benefit identified is what Klase calls "Social Values".

Shoreland buffer zones also serve several important cultural functions. These areas enhance the aesthetics of the lake environment by providing the natural appearance of lakeshores. Survey after survey shows that aesthetics ranks as one of the top reasons people come to live and visit the northwoods region of Wisconsin.

Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration before and after images

One important benefit that has been experienced by Oshkosh in its efforts to improve the shoreline is the building of community, in which many Oshkosh area residents from throughout the area representing students, elderly, neighbors, community leaders, young children, and others have come together to collaboratively work on creating a better Oshkosh.

Shoreland Restoration Video

Wisconsin video from UW Extension with funding support from the Wisconsin DNR that discusses shoreland restoration, its benefits, and how it works.

LWV Advocates for Shoreland Restoration at Parks Meeting

On April 4, 2012, the League of Women Voters participated in a city Parks Board meeting, stating strong support of their membership for restoration of Menominee Park Shoreland and for inclusion of restoration in the Menominee Park Plan.  The official position of the local LWV chapter, provided by Kathy Propp, was the following:

Black Eyed Susans dominated the first year of the planting, showing off a beautiful yellow mixed with native annual grasses that were planted to prevent erosion.

"The League of Women Voters supports adequate funding for maintenance and improvements to  the existing facilities in Menominee Park. There seems to be something for all ages.

This park is the most intensively used of all Oshkosh parks. There is no room left for adding  structures or formal ball fields. Green space, especially waterfront green space, is a precious  commodity.

We support environmentally sound maintenance and management practices, including weed  management in Millers Bay and prevention and control of invasive species. The natural shoreline landscaping near Ames Point is a great start and we encourage more along  Millers Bay shoreline. Please include mention of stormwater demonstration areas as feasible (rain gardens, small retention ponds, swales, parking lot vegetation)."

ONW Covers Initial Shoreland Installation

The Oshkosh Northwestern covered the initial shoreland restoration day at Menominee Park.  Access their online photo gallery by clicking the photo below: