Natural Resource Management Project at Sterne's Woods and Fen

Sun January 7, 2024

New work has started on a project to restore ecology in a portion of the oak savanna and dry prairie vegetation communities at Sterne's Woods and Fen. Crews are clearing out invasive bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) in the eastern part of the park, where the Sterne's Woods Trail (Red) meets the Moraine View Trail (Green). This work will make way for the dry prairie remnant at this location to expand and recover some of its former size which was smothered by invasive brush. Removing the smothering invasive brush will also allow new oak seedlings to recolonize in the project area, contributing to the Oak Savanna vegetation community known to historically exist there. Native seed and plant reintroductions will be ongoing as the project develops and the existing seed bank potential is assessed.