Society for Ecological Restoration 2013 field trip Oak Ecosystems Restoration

The Society for Ecological Restoration had its 5th World Conference Oct 7-11, 2013 in Madison. On Oct 11 Pleasant Valley Conservancy was pleased to help host the field trip on Oak Ecosystems Restoration in the Driftless Area. Twenty-one participants from a wide variety of locations had a chance to see results of our 15 years of restoration work. Two other sites were also visited: Sugar River Savanna and Pleasure (note spelling) Valley Conservancy.

Kathie Brock was the principal leader, accompanying the tour bus from Monona Terrace through the whole day. Others involved were Pat Trochlell, Ken Wade, Amanda Budyak, and Susan Slapnick. I helped with some brief lectures.

Because of the favorable weather, Pleasant Valley Conservancy never looked better! Appropriately for the trip title, the oak savannas and oak woodlands were lush. Fall color was in its early stages, with hickories in full color, white oak leaves starting to show tinges of color, and some Hill's oaks in full color. Susan's photo below shows the group at the Preserve entrance just before taking off.

The trip members were intrepid hikers and got the full tour, across the whole ridge-top, down the ridge trail to the quarry, across one of the original prairie remnants (Kathie's Prairie), and ending with a hike across the Diagonal Trail along the south slope and back to the starting point.

After the hike, Amanda and Susan gave a demonstration of seed collecting techniques in the barn.

Thanks to everyone for a great day!