The ability for some of our prairie/native areas to continue to stay in balance and thrive depends on careful management. The area behind the 7th green is a mix of prairie grasses, wildflowers, and some wetland plants that are planted along the waters edge. The use of prescribed burns are a useful tool to remove old prairie thatch, to reduce woody plant invasion, and to stimulate the growth of many native grasses and wildflowers. This year we were scheduled to do such a burn and we took about 45 minutes on thursday and friday to take care of the two areas.
While we were burning on Friday we noticed some visitors in the pond on the 7th hole.
A pair of Trumpeter Swans
You may have noticed that we have been cutting down some of the tall areas around ponds, in native areas, and in wildflower areas. We are doing this because of the movement of Canada Thistle into these areas.
The largest area is the area effected is the areas between #8 and #11. Due to the droughty conditions last spring the thistle got a jump on the native species that were planted. The plan is to keep the Thistle from going to seed and exacerbate the problem. Than in late fall we can make a herbicide application that should be taken down to the root and kill the Thistle.
