Valley View is undergoing a transformation.
A significant amount of Valley View was farmed for generations during the 1800s and 1900s. Eventually, those fields were left untouched and anyone who walks the trails will see there is a significant challenge ahead to eradicate the dominant invasive plants that have taken over. Amur honeysuckle, Callery pear, porcelain berry, lesser celandine and garlic mustard are everywhere you look. They outcompete the native plants for resources, disrupt existing food webs and animal habitat and water flow.
Our team is strategically targeting areas for manual work, those that require heavy equipment and the areas where we can use prescribed burning to encourage native plant growth and suppress invasive species. But it’s not just about removal; we actively replant diverse native species, to create a more resilient and self-sustaining ecosystem.
This restoration project is also a great opportunity for community engagement. Work days and hands-on restoration work not only improves Valley View, but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the land we all enjoy. Grant dollars, individual donors, partner organizations and our fantastic volunteers dedicate the necessary resources, expertise and muscle to make this all happen!
Invasive removal and prairie wildflower planting generously funded by:
- Orphra Ann Gatch Foundation
- US Fish & Wildlife Service
