Savanna Restoration Project Update 

A project to transition a stagnant pine stand next to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)’s Watershed Conservation Centre parking lot into a diverse pine-oak savanna and tallgrass prairie habitat is progressing nicely. 

The pine stand consisted of spindly 40-year-old pines that were planted too densely and had stagnant growth. Invasive plants such as Chinese Elm, Russian Olive, and buckthorn had spread throughout the area. On the plus side, native tallgrass prairie grasses had self-seeded into openings in the pine plantation from an adjacent plot. This indicated a prairie or savanna was a better and more appropriate habitat for this gravelly, dry area. 

“Before”

The restoration work began in the fall of 2021. The invasive species were spot treated with herbicide and some pines and other trees were removed with chainsaws. In 2022, a brush control contractor was hired to remove and chip most of the pines and invasive trees and shrubs from a one-acre plot. Approximately 13 of the healthiest White Pines were left. 

The summer of 2022 was sunny and dry and, with the tree canopy opened up, the pockets of tallgrass prairie that grew in the former plantation began to flourish and spread. Prairie flowers such as Butterfly Milkweed and Virginia Mountain Mint became more noticeable. In the fall, some of the newly cleared areas had woodchips removed and were hand seeded with a tallgrass prairie seed mix.  

“After”

Educational signage was installed along the trail that passes by the plot, acknowledging our generous funders: the Invasive Species Centre, Nature London, and an anonymous funder.   

The work continued into 2023 with additional spot-spraying of invasive plants, raking, and seeding. The UTRCA hopes to continue to nurture the site and expand it in the future to increase biodiversity in the area.   

Contact: Cathy Quinlan, Terrestrial Biologist