The Nature Conservancy: Big Woods Stream Restoration

Volunteers

Many thanks from the Arkansas Nature Conservancy staff to the many volunteers that came out last Friday to help install willow and sycamore live stakes at our stream restoration site. A diverse assemblage of over thirty individuals braved the cold, wet weather and successfully planted three thousand native trees along Benson Creek's new, meandering streamcourse. The group included sixteen students from Brinkley High School and several members of the organization of Central Arkansas Master Naturalists. Again, for your enthusiasm and hard work... thanks.

   

Live Stakes *Update*

It has been six weeks since thousands of live buttonbush and willow cuttings were installed throughout the restoration site, and the results are dramatic. At this point we are seeing around 95% survival rates, meaning that only 1 out of every 20 live stakes has failed to sprout new leaves and branches.

"We will probably observe slightly higher mortality rates when the weather turns drier and hotter as July and August set in," says Restoration Technician Clint Harris, who is overseeing much of this project's bioengineering.  "If the plants looks as healthy undergroung as they do above, however, their root systems should be able to support them through the summer months."

Pictured at left, a mass of cricket frog eggs has been attached to a newly-sprouted buttonbush sapling. This is only a small example of the many native species that have begun to re-colonize Benson Creek during the process of construction. Tracking these biological changes is an important aspect of this restoration project.

Live Stakes

Sore backs, knees, arms, and hands attest to the three-thousand live stakes installed at our stream restoration site over the last two days. Many thanks to Arkansas Nature Conservancy staff Mike, Clint, Kyle, Seth, Joy, Roger, Sagar, Julie, and Jerry...and thanks especially to our volunteer Robert. This is a not-so-glamarous task but the results should be outstanding. Stay posted for survival and growth rates in respose to your hard work.

 

   

Change of Seasons

Springtime has officially hit the Arkansas Delta as teperatures rise to the 60's and 70's during the day, encouraging new plant growth on our restoration site.  Hundreds of live willow stakes that have remained dormant since installation are now vigorously producing leaves and root-systems essential to the stability of the carefully-sculpted streambanks.

Over the next two to three weeks, we plan on installing an additional three- thousand black willow and buttonbush live stakes within the newly constructed stream. We are trying to take full advantage of the present mild temperatures and moist soils that are optimal for plant growth and propagation.