Union Bay Natural Area

UW Botanic GardenCollege of the Environment

1937

~ 1946

1952

2011

1958

1995

1997

1998

1998

Why did we decide to mow the blackberry?

(Started in 1998)

Dime lot 1975

Dime lot 1986

Dime lot 1992

Dime lot 1996

2001

2001

2001

2002

2004

2007

Needs and responses

• Blackberry• Purple loosestrife• Reed canarygrass• Native spp. diversity• Open landscape• Social trails

• Mow, flood, shade• Gallerucella beetle• Shade w/ willows• Structural diversity• Cap canopy (30%)• Improve loop trail

• Shorebird habitat• Parking lot• Prairie gets weeds• Native grass mortality• Restoration mortality• Beaver damage

• Open shoreline• Create prairie• Shrub buffer• Mounds• Mulch, water trailer• Fence

• Enhance public contact

• Management buy-in

• Lasting constituency

• Projects next to trails, signs, encourage talk

• Guidelines, public comment, faculty vote

• Student restoration• Nature walks• Maintenance

participation• Capstone projects