Wetland Planting – Eagle Nest Lake Unit

Message from Jennifer Wilson:

Thanks again for your past work establishing wetland plants at Eagle Nest Lake!  We are going to do another planting next week and wanted to share an invitation in case you or others you think interested would like to come.  We will be planting Tuesday, April 14, from 9 am until noon.

We’ll be placing 1,700 bare-root wetland plants in the ground where shallow water (several inches) or mud is present.  We’ll use a hand, foot, or digging tool to make a shallow depression deep enough to accommodate the bare root mass and allow us to cover it with well-packed soil. This differs from previous plantings in that the plants are not in pots holding soil.  It is much faster to get them planted.

For apparel, any combination of waterproof footwear or waders or old sneakers and just mud-friendly clothing should work depending on what is most comfortable.  We will bring a box of nitrile gloves in case anyone wants to layer them under gloves, or just use those to work in the mud.

For folks that are coming to help, we ask that:

1. you please bring a shovel or another planting tool that you would like to use (sharpshooters or hand spades are fine).  If you can’t bring a tool to plant with, that is ok too.  We’ll identify extras to bring.
2. wear clothing and footwear that can become wet and muddy.  We won’t be wading in deep water but the soil can be mucky and contribute to falls.
3. bring some towels and a change of clothing in case you want to make sure your vehicle interior stays dry on the way home (just in case).
4. bring whatever fluids and snacks or food you might want for 2-3 hours of planting.  We will have extra water and some sport drinks in a cooler as well.

We’ll have some cleanup water and soap on hand for anyone wishing to use it.

Attached is a jpeg image of the site.  In the image, the yellow outline is the project site.  Within it are three created wetlands (the irregular shapes).  A pipeline right-of-way crossing the site is shown as a red diagonal line.  The meeting location is shown as a labeled parking area along CR 23 (the blue line).

The meeting location is also attached as a Google Earth .kmz file.

Driving directions to the meeting location on CR 23:  If coming up Highway 36 from West Columbia, drive 5 miles north of the West Columbia Walmart on Highway 36 and make a right turn on CR 23.  This right turn off Hwy 36 is opposite a new gas station (Fuel Maxx) on Hwy 36 and is 5 miles north of the Walmart in West Columbia.  Travel 3.1 miles on CR 23 and park on the left, completely on the shoulder of the road.  This will be next to the right-of-way that crosses CR 23.

Anyone interested is welcome to come.  If anyone would like additional directions or have any questions, please write me ([email protected]) or call (979-292-4229 or 979-549-1624) any time. Also, please RSVP to me at the same contacts (email or phone immediately above).  If for any reason we need to shift the date or time, I can contact people that are planning to come in order to let them know of the changes.

VMS Code:  RM: Managing Natural Resource Areas and Wildlife (Service Project)

VMS Description: Wetland Planting Eagle Nest Lake