Before and after photos in ecological restoration are some of the most power ways to show how we are successful in improving our natural areas, enhancing our wild spaces for people and wildlife.
BEFORE:
Madrona Park was neglected for many years and invasive ivy and clematis climbed up to the tops of these Big Leaf Maples, weighing heavy on their branches and blocking out sunlight and competing for resources that would otherwise go to the production of flowers, nectar, seeds, and leaves of the trees. This site is also home to rare Oregon Oak, Madrone, and Pacific dogwood.
AFTER
After cutting the ivy and clematis, you can see the trees are once again free from this competition. It's like shedding the heavy backpack after a long trek in the woods.
AFTER with Leaves:
Two years after cutting, Madrona park has converted to a dry oak savanna. The trees are healthy and the ground cover is improving. Many invasive cherry and hawthorn trees were removed.
This is a site along the
Columbia Slough where the bank was covered with 100% Armenian blackberries. It was regraded in conjunction with the construction of the warehouse. It was planted with a variety of native trees and shrubs and native groundcover.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
The After photo shows the native Lupine in flower and a closed tree canopy. This area now provides healthy wildlife habitat, reduces water temperatures, and makes the area nice. Workers made a lunch spot near the tree line to chill out at lunch (Good people habitat).
Forest Park. This area along Firelane 1 along a powerline cooridor for years was managed for the powerlines. This means cutting any trees underneath them, but little else was done. Because of this neglect, weedy and fire prone weeds such as blackberry, clematis and scotch broom took over this area . It also wasn't a comfortable place to walk. There was a lot of homeless camps and garbage left behind and blackberries taking over the trail.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
You can see with these photos that the clematis was taken out of the trees, as well as the ivy. Blackberries and scotch broom were cut and controled and holly that was sprouting in the forest was cleared out. It was seeded with native grasses and wildflowers. This area is in continuous threat from small out breaks of Garlic Mustard and other weeds, but it is now a pleasant walk and has some of the nicest views in the city.
A clump of Trillium hanging on after control of blackberries.
As you can see, restoration of our natural areas is not only possible, but needed. To restore the biodiversity of our forests, improve the livability of our city, and clean our air and water, ecological restoration needs to continue. The City of Portland's Watershed Revegetation Program and many other groups in the region are helping make it a better place.
Madrona Park was neglected for many years and invasive ivy and clematis climbed up to the tops of these Big Leaf Maples, weighing heavy on their branches and blocking out sunlight and competing for resources that would otherwise go to the production of flowers, nectar, seeds, and leaves of the trees. This site is also home to rare Oregon Oak, Madrone, and Pacific dogwood.
AFTER
After cutting the ivy and clematis, you can see the trees are once again free from this competition. It's like shedding the heavy backpack after a long trek in the woods.
AFTER with Leaves:
Two years after cutting, Madrona park has converted to a dry oak savanna. The trees are healthy and the ground cover is improving. Many invasive cherry and hawthorn trees were removed.
This is a site along the Columbia Slough where the bank was covered with 100% Armenian blackberries. It was regraded in conjunction with the construction of the warehouse. It was planted with a variety of native trees and shrubs and native groundcover.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
The After photo shows the native Lupine in flower and a closed tree canopy. This area now provides healthy wildlife habitat, reduces water temperatures, and makes the area nice. Workers made a lunch spot near the tree line to chill out at lunch (Good people habitat).
Forest Park. This area along Firelane 1 along a powerline cooridor for years was managed for the powerlines. This means cutting any trees underneath them, but little else was done. Because of this neglect, weedy and fire prone weeds such as blackberry, clematis and scotch broom took over this area . It also wasn't a comfortable place to walk. There was a lot of homeless camps and garbage left behind and blackberries taking over the trail.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
You can see with these photos that the clematis was taken out of the trees, as well as the ivy. Blackberries and scotch broom were cut and controled and holly that was sprouting in the forest was cleared out. It was seeded with native grasses and wildflowers. This area is in continuous threat from small out breaks of Garlic Mustard and other weeds, but it is now a pleasant walk and has some of the nicest views in the city.
A clump of Trillium hanging on after control of blackberries.
As you can see, restoration of our natural areas is not only possible, but needed. To restore the biodiversity of our forests, improve the livability of our city, and clean our air and water, ecological restoration needs to continue. The City of Portland's Watershed Revegetation Program and many other groups in the region are helping make it a better place.
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