New Texas Activity Report
for 27th September 2015

In attendance: Tracy Raymond, Patsy Koning, Henry Whitesel, and Chris Hoess. Worked from 0900 to 1300. 

Location: Texas Serpentine Barrens Areas 1 and M. 

Accomplishments: It was another wonderful fall day for working outside. Not too hot and not to chilly. A little bit of rain came but not enough to stop us working.  

Tasks: We met at the parking lot on Happy Hollow Road. Chris Hoess and I (Henry Whitesel) used bush whackers to cut invasive plants, mostly green briar and red maple saplings, in clearing M. (Just for the record, clearing M is really 3 small clearings very close to each other.) We completed all the cutting of green briar that we need for this year in Clearing M. The green briar was not as thick as it was last year so our strategy of cutting the green briar for 3 successive years seems to be working. See attached pictures showing before and after. 

Tracy and Patsy pulled small invasive cedars and pines in Area 1 on the right side of the path when entering the New Texas Barrens. This area was cleared of invasive trees 2 or 3 years ago and the trees were small (usually less than 2 feet tall) and much easier to pull than if we had waited until they grew another year. 

It was a fun satisfying day, even with the little bit of rain. 

Grassland M before clearing

Grassland M after clearing

Total person time worked: 16 person-hours

Issues: none.

Reporter: Henry Whitesel