Author: reedycreekcoalition

Habitat Restoration: Why does your local watershed group think this is important?

Crooked Branch Ravine Park receives about 480,000 gallons of water during a 1 inch rain event and acts like a sponge, soaking up rain water, keeping much of it where it falls.  Tree leaves, bark and roots, along with the understory plants and leaf litter on the ground, make this possible.

English ivy and other non-native invasive plants will threaten the tree canopy and, over time and, as trees no longer thrive, the ability to retain rain will be limited.  Important habitat for critters will be lost, more sediment goes into the water, and there will be more flooding events down stream.  Think of the potential for flooding at Dunston Avenue near the Reedy Creek and in Forest Hill Park.  Our efforts now will have many benefits in the future.

Please come help remove English ivy and other invaisve, non-native plants.  

  • Sunday,  May 1  1 – 3 p.m.  or as long as you can stay.
  • Bring gloves and your own tools: hand clippers, lopers, a saw or other tool you prefer.  A small garden tool for digging may be helpful as well.  An old screwdriver is sometimes helpful for removing ivy from trees; we will show you how.
  • Please bring your own water and consider some insect repellent also.
  • Bring a friend!
  • Map to meeting site
Stormwater, most of which comes from the area around Midlothian Turnpike, leaving Crooked Branch Ravine after a rain.

Quality Outdoor Time with a Purpose

Crooked Branch Ravine Park is a hidden gem above Reedy Creek not far from Forest Hill Park.  At just 18 wooded acres, it presents a unique opportunity for ecological restoration through releasing its potential from the grips of dominant invasive vine and shrub species.  The current priority is removing non-native, invasive plant species.

This is important work. We would appreciate your help.

  • Sunday,  April 3, from 1 – 3 p.m.
  • If you can’t stay the entire time, that is fine.  Every little bit helps.
  • Bring gloves, hand clippers, loppers & a small saw if you can.    An old screwdriver is sometimes helpful for prying vines away from the tree so they are easier to cut.
  • We recommend long pants and long sleeves.
  • Please bring your own water bottle
  • We will meet in the cul de sac at the end of Northrop Street.

Questions?  Let us know.   https://reedycreekcoalition.org/contact-us/

Map to meeting site

Tree canopy protects watersheds and provides cooling shade, food, and habitat.

Habitat Restoration – Crooked Branch Ravine Park

Please join us for as we work to return this little park to a more natural state by removing English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, privet and other non-native invasive plants.  We will also cut the ivy at the base of trees.  It’s a small but improtant part of our neighborhood, a sponge for rain, tree canopy for cooling and habitat for many.   

  • Sunday, March 6 from 1-3 p.m.
  • If you can’t stay the entire time, that is fine.  Every little bit helps.
  • Bring gloves, hand clippers, loppers & a small saw if you can.    An old screwdriver is sometimes helpful for prying vines away from the tree so they are easier to cut.
  • We will meet in the cul de sac at the end of Northrop Street.

Questions?  Let us know.   https://reedycreekcoalition.org/contact-us/

Map to meeting site

Here are some of the flora you could find in this little park…  

  • Indian Pipe, a flowering plant that has no chlorophyll , usually seen in June.
  • Sassafras is just one of the 28 native tree species identified so far.
  • Cranefly orchid leaves come up in fall, disappear in spring
  • Cranefly orchid flowers appear in July
  • A few native azalea have been found.
  • Small tree seedlings don’t have a chance in areas thick with ivy. We hope this little white oak will grow to maturity.
  • We must save the tree canopy. You can help!

Great Backyard Bird Count

Reedy Creek Coalition will participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) on Friday Feb 18 and Sunday, February 20 in two different areas of Crooked Branch Ravine Park. A knowledgeable birder will participate in each session and so you are welcome to participate regardless of your experience or skill with bird ID. Details and sign up form are below.

The GBBC is a global event in its’ 25th year. Learn more at https://www.birdcount.org/

Carolina Wren by Gary Mueller/Macaulay Library

Friday Feb 18 – Limited to 10 participants

  • 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
  • Meet on Crutchfield Street across from the George Wythe football field.   MAP
  • There is no path into this area of the park and you must be able to navigate a small slope to access the area.  Sturdy shoes recommened. 
  • Bring binoculars if you can.  We may have a couple of extras but cannot provide for the entire group. 
  • Bring a mask with you, if not for yourself, as a courtesy to other participants.  Even though this is an outdoor activity you will probably be very close to others some of the time. 

Sunday Feb 20 – Limited to 10 participants

  • 2:30 p.m. – 4:00p.m.
  • Meet at the end of Northrop Street where there is a path into the park.  MAP
  • Birding in this area may require walking down a slope that is a bit steep for a few people.  Sturdy shoes recommened. 
  • Bring binoculars if you can.  We may have a couple of extras but cannot provide for the entire group. 
  • Bring a mask with you, if not for yourself, as a courtesy to other participants.  Even though this is an outdoor activity you will probably be very close to others some of the time. 

Sign up using this link. You must comment either “GBBC Friday” or “GBBC Sunday”.

How do I incorporate native plants into my yard?

We recently received an inquiry with this very question. It’s a great question, but we could not provide an easy answer without knowing much more. What do you have now? Sun or shade, how much space, soil conditions, long term goals? There are so many things to consider! If you are wondering the same thing we have the perfect book for you in our lending library…

This book includes chapters on lawns, trees, food, ecosystems, soil and much more in an easy to read format.  You can pick and choose which sections you feel the need to read.  Check it out at our website    https://reedycreekcoalition.org/good-reads-for-the-watershed/

It is also available as a book or e-book at the Richmond Public Library. 

 

Help Protect Crooked Branch Ravine Park

Habitat restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.  In the case of Crooked Branch Ravine and other parks in our city, the problem is non-native invasive plant species that aggressively displace native plant species.  Non-native species simply cannot provide the support needed for the insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals who live there.

Please join us for as we work to return this little park to a more natural state by removing English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, privet and other non-native invasive plants.  We will also cut the ivy at the base of trees.

  • Saturday,  February, 5 from 1 – 3 p.m.
  • If you can’t stay the entire time, that is fine.  Every little bit helps.
  • Bring gloves, hand clippers, loppers & a small saw if you can.    An old screwdriver is sometimes helpful for prying vines away from the tree so they are easier to cut.
  • We will meet in the cul de sac at the end of Northrop Street.

Questions?  Let us know.   https://reedycreekcoalition.org/contact-us/

Map to meeting site

drawing, robin

Treecology

Teachers, Parents, Kids!

Check out the newest addition to the Reedy Creek Library. This book is loaded with information about trees, forests and the critters that depend on them AND projects for the young naturalist.

A healthy tree canopy is the very best way to protect our streams and improve water quality.

Borrow the book using this link. https://reedycreekcoalition.org/good-reads-for-the-watershed/