Program Notes from November 30, 2004 Meeting of LKWA

Rick reported that we are now working on all three grants that have been awarded. Much of the field work has been completed on the Lowland Forest Grant. We are awaiting the data from the tree ring measurements before the analysis can be completed. Work on the orchid grant has included a field visit by Jeff Kraemer and a surveyor to the sites of 3 ground water monitoring wells that will have computerized data collectors.

New Business:

Two osprey platforms are ready to put in, but awaiting the proper weather conditions - frozen ground without deep snow.

Two programs on nest box building are coming up. Two weeks from now, on December 14, there will be an educational meeting at 6:00 pm at the DNR office in Janesville. Linn Duesterbeck will discuss wood duck box design, placement, maintenance and monitoring. Harv Kucaba (from the Blue bird Restoration Association) will present a similar discussion of blue bird boxes.

The boxes will be assembled at a special field day on Saturday, January 22. The outing will be in the morning at the Newville DNR field station. Lunch will follow. Friends and family are invited.

Sightings around the lake: Large flights of sandhill cranes were seen last weekend. Flocks of 30 or more tundra swans have been seen on the north side of the lake. 1000s of ruddy ducks have been on the lake for several weeks.

Next meetings:

December 14 Nest boxes for wood ducks and bluebirds - educational session. 6:00 pm at DNR office in Janesville

January 22 (Saturday morning) Assembly of nest boxes. Newville DNR field station

February 22 - Quentin Carpenter : Lake Koshkonong history especially about Thure Kumlien, an early ornithologist. DNR office in Janesville

March 29, April 26, May 31: programs to be announced.

Program:
Steve Banovetz
Senior Ecologist, Agrecol (Agricultural Ecological Solutions)
"Improving your shoreline and wetlands with native wetland plants"

Steve first discussed the goals of lake shore restoration which are to restore the hydrology, chemistry, plants and soils. Often this requires reshaping soils, controlling water movement, introducing native plants to hold soil and filter water and to change human habits that are detrimental to the lake.

Lakes that are out of balance have high nutrient level, high sediment loads, low oxygen, high water temperature and eroded banks. Plant and animal life is disrupted.

A lake shore profile consists of:

The buffer zone is the bank and emergent zone. In this area, one can plant trees, shrubs, emergent plants and native grasses and flowers.

Benefits will be more oxygen in the water, cooler water, food for wildlife, nesting niches for birds, less runoff and fewer geese!

Plant establishment often requires stabilization of the shore first, wither with "hard armor", i.e. rock or "soft armor", i.e. plants and biodegradable materials. Interestingly, the soft armor actually lasts longer because once the roots are established, it will last indefinitely whereas rocks may wash away and/or eventually sink into the mud.

Often the plantings will need protection from muskrats, deer, etc. until they are established.

Materials used as wave breakers below the water line include fiber logs, hardwood brush boxes, plastic show fence. Above the water line one can use erosion control fabrics, native plants and seed, or cut brushy stems. Cuttings of live, woody stems of grey dogwood, silky dogwood, red osier dogwood or pussy willow will readily take root and propagate when pushed in between the rocks on the bank. this is a relatively inexpensive and simple way to restore vegetation on the shoreline.

Also available are "Emergent Kits" of plants that can be placed behind new armor (riprap). They can be ordered the last week of April and delivered the 2nd-3rd week of May. These kits are primarily to use for shorelines in front of residences.

For more information www.agrecol.com