Cornerstone Tour and Volunteer Weed Pull
Friday, September 20th, 9am-12:30pm
Friday, September 20th, 9am-12:30pm
Please join us for an opportunity to learn more about Cornerstone and contribute to the restoration through invasive species removal.
Marc Bell, our Senior Resource Conservationist, will be leading our tour and project for the day. If you don't have experience, don't worry! Marc will go over safety and how to use the tools. Tools, gloves, water and snacks will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Please dress accordingly. Good footwear is strongly encouraged.
Outline for the day:
We are spending a bit of extra time this first workday because we feel it's important to take time to get to know the land and the other volunteers. We hope to build a community of dedicated land stewards that will be trained and able to come back on a somewhat regular basis, making an impact with future projects.
Cornerstone is located in northcentral Polk County. Directions will be provided after you RSVP. Please fill out the form below and you'll receive follow up information from our Outreach Coordinator.
Marc Bell, our Senior Resource Conservationist, will be leading our tour and project for the day. If you don't have experience, don't worry! Marc will go over safety and how to use the tools. Tools, gloves, water and snacks will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Please dress accordingly. Good footwear is strongly encouraged.
Outline for the day:
- Check in, sign waivers (8:45am-9am)
- 9am - Welcome, tour of Cornerstone (loop) - history of the property, restoration goals
- 10:15am - break for bathroom, snacks and drinks
- 10:30am - 12:30pm - restoration work on invasive species - removal of scotch broom, english hawthorn and maybe also blackberry
We are spending a bit of extra time this first workday because we feel it's important to take time to get to know the land and the other volunteers. We hope to build a community of dedicated land stewards that will be trained and able to come back on a somewhat regular basis, making an impact with future projects.
Cornerstone is located in northcentral Polk County. Directions will be provided after you RSVP. Please fill out the form below and you'll receive follow up information from our Outreach Coordinator.
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Volunteers will be required to sign a liability waiver available at check in.
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Polk SWCD acquired Cornerstone in 2016. As part of a long-term vision, these 87 acres will continue to hold onto, and expand, the grassland and oak savanna with portions of Oak woodland with a transition to mixed woodland and conifer forest in the southern portion of the property. To achieve these long-term goals, the existing woodlot will be harvested and replanted as grassland and oak habitat types, developed and managed to match and complement the existing oak areas. Significant efforts will be required to establish a native grass understory in this area to prevent the expansion of invasive vegetation populations. Additional areas restored to native prairie will improve Cornerstone’s ability to house additional sensitive bird species, increase native forb species populations and forage quality for oak associated birds, mammals, and invertebrates, as well as wet meadow and riparian species who frequent or reside in nearby areas.
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