Preparing for wiregrass restoration: A reflection
Nearly 18 months ago, our Fire Ecology Lab committed to restoring an agricultural field with wiregrass as part of a research project. We were naïve to the challenges experienced during restoration, but like many before us, we have taken each in stride while remaining hopeful. Although it is still early and we haven’t finished collecting seeds let alone planted them, we have learned some valuable lessons.
“Farming looks easy when your plough is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the [wiregrass] fields.”
Start early. We began getting quotes from contractors to root rake (pull trees up from the roots), herbicide, and plow in July. By October, we still had not found someone who could complete the work within our modest budget. I think if we had started even 2-3 months earlier, we would have had a higher probability of success.
Ask for help and advice. Our friends and partners in restoration are knowledgeable, understanding, helpful, kind, and giving. A few bailed us out when the going got tough (see #1) for which we could never say thank you enough. Others always answered our calls and numerous questions. To all of you: We will repay or pay forward your generosity and kinship at every opportunity.
I am getting choked up, so time to move to #3.
Remain hopeful. When you restore land, you are building something miraculous. Don’t forget that! Our newly plowed field represents hope for the future as it reminds me of spending summers as a child on my grandparent’s South Dakota farm. Planting fields and watching crops grow is so rewarding. Likewise, the thought of our research field coming alive with wiregrass elicits feelings of happiness, hope, and excitement. As the wiregrass grows, what will arrive next? What other plants and animals will call this patch of land home?
Although I am aware that things could go wrong at any step, I remain hopeful. We can do this. We will do this! In fact, we are already planning to celebrate the first birthday of our baby wiregrass with our friends and partners in restoration!
“The farmer has to be an optimist or [s/he] wouldn’t still be a farmer.”
