Restore Saint Paul: April 2016

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: April 26th, 2016

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

Jacob's ladder

Jack-in-the-pulpit

A cold damp day on the trail. Bluebirds completed nests in two boxes. One box has a partial grassy nest, another, a few bits of grass, and a third, some moss placed by chickadees. The sixth box is still empty. In the woodland, Jacob’s ladders and Jack-in-the-pulpits were in bloom. In the park I came upon a raptor (perhaps a broad-winged hawk) being heckled by a crow high up in a pine tree.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Como Park Bluebird Trail Update: April 18th, 2016

Post contributed by Sharon, volunteer bluebird trail monitor:

Bluebird nest beginning

Male bluebird guarding his box

Six of eleven bluebird nest boxes are up and ready for action. Bluebirds have already begun building nests in two of them, and two more had a few pine needles and bits of grass in them. Pennsylvania sedge and corydalis were in bloom in the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom. City employees were just about to burn the shortgrass prairie in the woodland, since wind conditions were right. They promised to protect the empty nest box located in the middle of that prairie.

Corydalis blooming in the park

Contributing Authors

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation--Natural Resources Division:

It would be impossible for us to maintain and improve Saint Paul's natural areas to the high standards that we are used to without the coordinated efforts of our many partner organizations and volunteers. In addition to Saint Paul's Natural Resources employees, the following groups will be contributing to the content of this blog as they work hard to keep Saint Paul "the most livable city in America."

Conservation Corps of Minnesota:

The Conservation Corps provides meaningful work for young people in conserving energy, managing natural resources, responding to disasters and leading volunteers. Not only do they provide training in resource management, safety, job-readiness and technical skills, they help young people develop personal responsibility, a strong work ethic and greater awareness of environmental stewardship. CCM has been a valuable partner in maintaining Saint Paul Parks natural areas for years.

Eco Ranger Acadamy:

The Environmental Services EcoRanger Academy is an educational summer job program for youth interested in plants, wildlife and the natural environment. Youth work throughout the City in forests, lakes and prairies on restoration projects. They perform tasks such as invasive species removal, planting and mulching. The program covers plant anatomy and identification, trees, entomology, water, soils and ecology. Youth that successfully complete the summer program graduate with a certificate and references from their crew leaders.