Week 4

This week the team really worked together restoring a large region of the work site. The main focus for the week was removing the spice bush understory and other small trees such as cottonwoods. Shrub and tree removal is necessary in this area in order to one day restore the wetland to the original sedge meadow that is currently being outcompeted by woody plant species. Removal was accomplished through extensive chainsaw work, lopping, and the application of aquatic safe herbicide to ensure long-term results and ecosystem health. It was a great week for the team, clearing large areas and getting to see some great results already. An interesting aspect of the Indiana Dunes team’s work is that they are actually removing native plants that were introduced to the wetland habitat in the past and are now out-competing the plants that once thrived there.