A little more green is taking root at Sheridan Community Land Trust’s Big Goose Natural Area!
SCLT recently planted 54 willows purchased from Piney Island Native Plants along Big Goose Creek, building on stream restoration work completed earlier this year.
Willows play an important role in keeping streams healthy. Their extensive root systems help hold streambanks together, reducing erosion and keeping sediment out of the water. Their branches provide shade that helps keep water cooler for aquatic life, while their leaves and stems offer food and shelter for wildlife.
The new plantings will also help SCLT learn which restoration methods work best. By comparing locally sourced willow cuttings with nursery-grown willows that have established root systems, SCLT can evaluate which are more successful.
“Restoring a healthy stream takes time, and we want to learn what works best for this landscape,” said John Graves, SCLT’s Director of Conservation & Resource Management. “What we learn here will help guide future restoration work and improve the long-term health of Big Goose Creek.”
It’s another example of SCLT’s commitment to caring for the lands our community has helped protect and make accessible for generations to come.
