WHAT A DIFFERENCE

Today was plant rescue day. We went to the edge of the woods where the bank restoration is taking place to dig some of the endangered wildflowers growing in the path of tractor tires. I got some Dog Tooth Violets, Jack in the Pulpit, and Mayapple which will move into a spot under my hydrangeas in the back. I have been adding lots of leaf mulch to the soil to get it ready to receive these wonderful little addition. I would never dig these little native if they were not threatened. When I lived in Michigan, a group of us formed our own little rescue organization, to dig natives that were in eminent danger from future construction. We had pretty good luck relocating Trilliums, Jack in the Pulpit, and Dog Tooth Violets, so I am hopeful about today's digs. I was struck by the change a week has made. The open light, is gone as the tall trees add on more foliage creating a lush shady stream bed, for the grasses along the waters edge have grown to a height of 2 feet in the abundant light of the spring.
The erosion has been severe in the past, as the land on the West side slopes down towards the glen. At some point, who ever was farming here decided to have tires dumped to slow the process. We are now pulling the tires out(hundreds of them), so that we can stabilize the hill side. Disposal of all those tires is going to be pretty costly, but we have decided to take this environmental disaster on. The destruction of the fauna is inevitable, but the plans include restoration on completion.