We are announcing the availability for free download of a new
book which should be of interest to restoration ecologists. It was written by Thomas D. Brock and
Katherine M. Brock and is based on their extensive restoration work at Pleasant
Valley Conservancy.
This book is the first volume of what is intended to be a
two- or three-volume presentation of the 20-year restoration history of
Pleasant Valley Conservancy, a 140-acre dedicated State Natural Area. Pleasant
Valley Conservancy is a natural area in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area with diverse
habitats: tallgrass prairies, oak savannas, oak woodlands, and wetlands. It was
once fairly degraded but has a large number of venerable oaks that have
survived from presettlement days.
Although this book covers all aspects of the restoration
process of a natural area, special emphasis is placed on oak savanna restoration…. The oak savanna landscape is globally
endangered. It was once widespread in Midwestern North America and has mostly
disappeared due to human settlement.
The field of restoration ecology is relatively new.
Fortunately, southern Wisconsin is restoration ecology’s historic center, and the
restoration work at Pleasant Valley Conservancy has greatly benefited from association with both university
and non-university restorationists. The restoration community here is large and
vibrant. The spirit of John Muir and Aldo Leopold lives!
Most of the habitats at Pleasant Valley Conservancy are
fire-dependent, and controlled burns have been a vital part of our restoration
work. At one time or another, fire has been used in almost every part of Pleasant
Valley Conservancy. Many of the habitats are burned annually.
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