Updates to the project will be posted here in reverse chronological order.

May 2nd, 2006

The Board met with Mike from Tallgrass Restoration to mark the boundaries of the shoreline plantings. The pond at Nippersink and Valley Lakes (#7) and Wilson and Prairie Spring (#21) were chosen for phase one of this project. (Download a map showing all ponds and wetlands in Valley Lakes)

The next step will be the application of the herbicide treatment, expected to begin May 3rd.

Before

Pond # 7 Looking south west

Pond # 7 looking North

Pond # 21 looking west at Wilson Road

Pond # 21 looking east

Marking Boundaries

Marking the eastern side of Pond 7

Eastern shoreline of pond 7

The north eastern corner of pond 7 - Orange marks indicate edge of restoration area

Northern edge of pond 7 along Nippersink Road looking east

The south western corner of pond 7 (marks have been enhanced on photo)

The northern shore of pond 21

Marking the northern shore of pond # 21

The eastern side of pond 21 looking south. Wilson Rd is on the right
Orange marks indicate extent of restoration area

A turtle we found at pond # 21
After the restoration animals such as this turtle and other native wildlife
will benefit from the enhanced water quality and reduced erosion

Some of the blossoms on one of our many crab apple trees

And... as cute as the little baby geese are.....

One of the other benefits of this project will be to reduce the number of
geese that invade the yards of homes surrounding the ponds.

Geese don't like to cross through tall native grasses and
perennials because they block their view of possible predators

So while they may land in the pond, the shoreline plantings should help
keep them out of the yards.