HABITAT CREATION IN A DYNAMIC DELTA Challenges in an Urban Wetland Project Judy Walther, President Stan Wilson, Project Manager Environmental Survey Consulting BLUNN CREEK DELTA RESTORATION MANAGEMENT EDUCATION Maximizing Resilience in a Highly Dynamic Wetland System BOARDWALK TRAIL AT LADY BIRD LAKE BLUNN CREEK DELTA BLUNN CREEK DELTA HISTORY OF ITS STRUCTURE 1952 - 2016 Delta as dynamic system Urban manipulation (Longhorn Dam) Sedimentation flow from upstream FEBRUARY 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 APRIL 2014 FEBRUARY 2017 Project Scope • Managing exotic species • Informal monitoring of control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collecting and propagating seed of Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs. open planting • Management for 12 months • Volunteer coordination and leadership • Educational signage research and content • Educational guidance brochure for students and teachers Project Scope • Manage exotic species • Informal monitoring of invasive species control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collect and propagate Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) seed • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs. open planting plots • Management and monitoring • Volunteer coordination and leadership • Educational signage research and content • Educational guidance brochure for students and teachers MANAGE EXOTIC SPECIES Approximately 600 LF of target area TARGETED EXOTIC SPECIES Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum) White Mulberry (Morus alba) Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense) Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) TECHNIQUES Girdling and treating trees Wicking herbaceous plant material Cutting and injecting Hand pulling Trimming seedheads Project Scope • Manage exotic species • Informal monitoring of control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) – (Constrained by budget) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collect and propagate Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) seed • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs. open planting plots • Management and monitoring • Volunteer coordination and leadership • Educational signage research and content • Educational guidance brochure for students and teachers Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) JULY 2013 FEBRUARY 2017 Blunn Creek Delta Elephant Ear Treatment Program Blunn Delta Elephant Ear Treatment Program Area=> EE4 EE8-1 EE8-2 EE8-3 Method Glyphosate Glyphosate Glyphosate Glyphosate Foliar Spray Wick Hollow Stem Cut & Paint Injection 1st App. 10/2/2013 10/2/2013 10/2/2013 10/2/2013 Notes marginally about 50% almost total almost total effective suppression suppression suppression 2nd App. 11/11/2013 (hand removal) (hand removal) (hand removal) Notes marginally (more effective) (more effective) (more effective) effective 3rd App. winter dormant winter dormant winter dormant winter dormant Blunn Delta Elephant Ear Treatment Program Area=> EE9-1g EE9-2w EE9-1i EE9-2c Method Imazamox Imazamox Imazamox Imazamox Foliar Spray Wick Hollow Stem Cut & Paint Injection 1st App. 10/1/2013 10/1/2013 10/1/2013 10/1/2013 Notes some dead and about 50% inconclusive over 90% some regrowth suppression suppression 2nd App. (hand removal) (hand removal) (hand removal) (hand removal) Notes (more effective) (more effective) (more effective) (more effective) 3rd App. winter dormant winter dormant winter dormant winter dormant Project Scope • Manage exotic species • Informal monitoring of invasive species control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collect and propagate Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) seed • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs. open planting plots • Management and monitoring • Volunteer coordination and leadership • Educational signage research and content • Educational guidance brochure for students and teachers INCREASE BIO-DIVERSITY Genus Species Common Name Amorpha fruticosa indigo bush Aster sp. Aster Carex emoryi Emory Sedge Cladium mariscus var. jamaicense Sawgrass Cyperus articulatus flat sedge Echinodorus cordifolius Creeping Burrhead Eleocharis spp. sand spikerush Elymus canadensis Canada Wildrye Eupatorium coelestinum blue mistflower Helianthus annuus Common Sunflower Hibiscus laevis halberdleaf rosemallow Hibiscus moscheutos subsp. lasiocarpos wooly rosemallow Hymenocallis liriosme spider lily Iris virginica blue flag iris Justicia americana Water-Willow Lobelia cardinalis cardinal flower Ludwigia octovalvis var. octovalvis Shrubby Water- Primrose Osmunda regalis royal fern Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Physostegia correllii Correll False- Dragonhead Pontederia cordata Pickerelweed Solidago canadensis Common Goldenrod Thalia dealbata powdery thalia Thelypteris kunthii river fern Tripsacum dactyloides Eastern Gamagrass FEBRUARY 2014 JUNE 2014 JUNE 2014 JUNE 2014 JUNE 2014 NOVEMBER 2016 NOVEMBER 2016 FEBRUARY 2017 FEBRUARY 2017 Project Scope • Manage exotic species • Informal monitoring of invasive species control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collecting and propagating seed of Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) seed • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs. open planting plots • Management and monitoring • Volunteer coordination and leadership • Educational signage research and content • Educational guidance brochure for students and teachers Correll’s False Dragonhead (Physostegia correllii) Correll’s False Dragonhead (Physostegia correllii) A List of the Rare Plants of Texas December 2010 Edition Jackie M. Poole and Jason R. Singhurst, Wildlife Diversity Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 and William R. Carr, Texas Conservation Data Center, The Nature Conservancy of Texas P.O. Box 1440, San Antonio, TX 78295-1440 Distribution: Bexar (H?), Galveston, Gillespie (X), Kinney, Maverick, Montgomery (H), Travis, Val Verde, and Zapata counties; LA; Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Sonora Recent collection from Maverick County and perhaps recently from Bexar County (specimen awaits verification). Added an extirpated record from Gilliespie County. Global Rank: G2 6-20 occurrences known globally; imperiled/very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range State Rank: S2 6-20 known occurrences in Texas; imperiled in the state because of rarity; very vulnerable to extirpation from the state JULY 2013 JULY 2013 Correll’s False Dragonhead (Physostegia correllii) RARE SPECIES MANAGEMENT •Collected seed from site •Plants grown at ESC nursery •Treated nearby elephant ear •Planted on site near existing colonies IMPORTANCE Encouraging the preservation and propagation of this plant can help serve to enhance future wetland restoration projects and wetland research. Project Scope • Manage exotic species • Informal monitoring of invasive species control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collect and propagate Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) seed • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs. open planting • Management and monitoring • Volunteer coordination and leadership • Educational signage research and content • Educational guidance brochure for students and teachers Nutria Turtles Swans and Ducks Installed exclosure cages to protect plants from herbivory Project Scope • Manage exotic species • Informal monitoring of invasive species control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collect and propagate Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) seed • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs. open planting plots • Management for 12 months • Volunteer coordination and leadership • Educational signage research and content • Educational guidance brochure for students and teachers DEVELOP MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PROGRAM •Management extended through 12 months •Follow-up treatment of exotic species management •Additional planting and seeding in areas with low survival rates Project Scope • Manage exotic species • Informal monitoring of invasive species control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collect and propagate Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) seed • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs. open planting plots • Management and monitoring • Volunteer coordination and leadership • Educational signage research and content • Educational guidance brochure for students and teachers Interactions with Non-profit, Private, Public Organizations The Trail Foundation Environmental Survey Consulting The 3M Company Volunteer labor facilitated the project’s success Informed participants of unique flora and current transformative makeup of the area 3M (MAJOR DONOR), THE TRAIL FOUNDATION, AND ESC SITE VISIT JULY 2013 CITY OF AUSTIN WATERSHED PROTECTION, THE TRAIL FOUNDATION, AND ESC SITE VISIT JULY 2013 3M GRANT The Trail Foundation received a $50,000 grant from 3M May 2014 Volunteers from 3M planted native wetland plants. Project Scope • Manage exotic species • Informal monitoring of invasive species control methods used on Colocasi esculenta (elephant ear) • Plantings for increased diversity • Collect and propagate Physostegia correllii (Correll’s false dragonhead) seed • Informal monitoring of herbivory-protected vs.