Pine Plantation Restoration project (UTRCA weekly, June 10, 2022)
Visitors to the Watershed Conservation Centre in Fanshawe Conservation Area may notice part of the pine plantation near the parking lot has been removed. The work is part of an ecological restoration project that Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) staff have been working on, with funding from the Invasive Species Centre, Nature London, and UTRCA. The plan is to transition the overly dense pine stand into a more open and diverse pine-oak-hickory savanna and tallgrass prairie habitat.
Cathy Quinlan, UTRCA Terrestrial Biologist, said “This is a highly visible area that we had identified for ecological restoration as part of the UTRCA’s Environmental Targets. We’re excited to have the opportunity to experiment with restoring this sterile pine plantation and transition it to a more diverse prairie and savanna habitat.”
The 1.6 hectare (4 acre) plot includes the treed area between the trailhead at the visitor’s parking lot and the rowing club road. It is dominated by 40-year old planted Red and White Pines that are overly dense, stagnant, and ecologically uninteresting. Non-native, invasive plants such as Chinese Elm, Russian Olive, and buckthorn have spread throughout the area as well. These non-native trees, shrubs and plants will be removed to open up the canopy. After this, prairie grass and flower seeds will be spread. Additional pine thinning will take place during the next phase. An educational sign will be installed to explain this unique project to visitors and trail users.