Reedy Creek Coalition

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Crooked Branch Ravine Park, a small park on the south side of Richmond, is home to a diverse urban forest, some lovely native shrubs and perennials, and the critters that depend on such places.  Many of these plants are threatened by non-native, invasive species.  We can either do something to change the situation or we will eventually lose both the canopy and understory layers.

The image below shows the diversity of native flora and fauna in this little park and contrasts it with the urban environment.  Please come help us save this little peice of nature.

• Sunday February 3  from 1 – 3 p.m.
• If you can only stay an hour, that’s OK.  Every hour counts.
• Bring gloves and hand clippers.  An old screwdriver is sometimes helpful for removing ivy from trees; we will show you how.
• Dress in layers.
• Bring a friend!

Map to meeting site

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Crooked Branch Ravine Park, a small park on the south side of Richmond, is home to a diverse urban forest, some lovely native shrubs and perennials, and the critters that depend on such places.  Many of these plants are threatened by non-native, invasive species.  We can either do something to change the situation or we will eventually lose both the canopy and understory layers.

This is a Day of Service to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Please join us.

• Saturday,  January 19 from 1 – 3 p.m.
• If you can only stay an hour, that’s OK.  Every hour counts.
• Bring gloves and hand clippers.  An old screwdriver is sometimes helpful for removing ivy from trees; we will show you how.
• Dress in layers.
• Bring a friend!

Map to meeting site

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

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Reedy Creek Coalition is looking for a few more volunteers to join our water quality monitoring team.  Sample collection occurs once a month and takes about two hours; on the job training is provided.  If you are interested in helping or if you have questions please contact us at reedycreekcoalition@gmail.com .

Our monitoring activities can make a difference right here in our own neighborhood.   Back in 2012 during our travels along the stream we found what appeared to be a potential hot spot for E. coli; our sample collection confirmed these suspicions.  We contacted Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities who investigated, found and repaired a sewer leak.  Click here for that story.

This is Citizen Science at its best!  Please join us.

Checking Water Clarity, pH, and Dissolved Oxygen

Collecting Water Sample to Take Back to the Lab for DPU

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Crooked Branch Ravine Park acts like a sponge, soaking up rain water and keeping it where it falls.  It is also home to many native plants that support wildlife, including warblers and other song birds on their long migrations.

The circle indicates the approximate location of Crooked Branch Ravine Park.

Protecting areas like this will help keep the rain where it falls and help improve water quality; this need is great in urban areas with lots of impervious surface.   Unfortunately, this little park has many non-native, invasive plants and over time they will threaten the tree canopy (natures’ best invention for capturing rain water).  And, as native species are lost so is the diversity that supports wildlife.

This is important work. We would appreciate your help.

• Sunday,  January 6 from 1 – 3 p.m.  or as long as you can stay.
• Bring gloves and hand clippers.  An old screwdriver is sometimes helpful for removing ivy from trees; we will show you how.
• Bring a friend!

Map to meeting site

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Reedy Creek and a small tributary, Crooked Branch, flow through Crooked Branch Ravine Park.  This small, passive park is home to many native trees, shrubs, and perennials that could be lost to advancing invasive plant species, particularly English ivy and privet.  Reedy Creek Coalition will resume  our invasive removal efforts now that the weather is cooler.

• Please  join us on Saturday, December 8, 2017 from 1 – 3 p.m.
• We will meet at the end of Northrop Street where there is a path into the park.
• Bring gloves, pruners, and, if you have one, a small saw for cutting large ivy vines.
• Only have an hour to spare?  That’s quite alright.  Every little bit helps. 
• Map to meeting place. 

The area where we will be working has oak, hickory, maple, black gum, fringe trees,  wintergreen, cranfly orchids, and other native species.  The diversity of species in just this small area speaks to the value of this park.

Striped wintergreen will soon be overcome by English ivy.

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Our November meeting is a follow-up to the film “Hometown Habitat” that was shown at Patrick Henry School for Arts and Science on October 24th.

https://themeadowproject.com/hometown-habitat/

Native plants are critical to the survival and vitality of local ecosystems and there is a desperate need for a network of native plants in urban areas.  Your yard can be and should become part of that network.   This meeting will be focused on helping you get started so that we can grow that network of native plants here in our own neighborhood.  Whether you are interested in providing food and habitat for local fauna, supporting bees and other pollinators, or allowing your children to experience nature in their own yard, this meeting is for you.  We will cover site and plant selection, site preparation, and maintenance.  Remember – you can start small and grow your habitat as time allows.  Every native plant counts.

Please join us. 

Wednesday, November 14  6:30 p.m.

Westover Hills Public Library

Submit a photo of the area you would like to start with to reedycreekcoalition@gmail.com

We will include the first 4 in our presentation.

Door prizes include the book Climate Wise Landscaping:  Practical Actions for a Sustainable Future

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