City May 8, 2010 12:29 PM

The Rumsey Woods Project

The Rumsey Woods Project
If you're at all familiar with Delaware Park, then you are probably familiar with Hoyt Lake, Marcy Casino and the Japanese Gardens. Those who frequent the park are also aware that there are lesser known wooded areas that have been going through some drastic changes, especially the ones along the Scajaquada Expressway. The Olmsted Park Conservancy has been busy removing the invasive species that have been growing in amongst the trees.

On the opposite side of Hoyt Lake, there is another wooded area called Rumsey Woods, that is about to undergo a similar effort. The difference is that the project will be a joint effort between the conservancy and a series of non-affiliated parties. Buffalo Niagara 360, The Buffalo B-Team, Buffalo Young CPAs and Freed Maxick and Battaglia will be lending a hand to the cleanup, and the organizers are looking for volunteers to help complete the task.

After the woods are cleared of the invasive species, the group is planning on planting native trees, bushes and shrubs in their place. A series of trails will be added, while existing trails will be uncovered before wood chips are added. The team is also planning on hosting a barbecue and mixer at the end of the event in order to thank the volunteers for their efforts. It's a one-time cleanup in a specific area where volunteers will be able to see an immediate impact. The Rumsey Woods Project takes place Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

Click here to volunteer.
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Great cause and players involved - love the B_Team, they're promoting this at a Pearl Street event the night before with The Good Neighborhood, Heart of the City Neighborhoods, and the band Peanut Brittle Satellite - check it out!

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=118418938180697&ref=ts

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"Non-native" and "invasive" plants can be very different things, and the problem with these removal efforts has been a failure to understand the difference. Ripping out benign trees and shrubs which were purposely planted is just stupid. In the recent past, trees which had been planted along the creek by McKinley students were chopped down by well-meaning but misdirected volunteers.

This and future efforts should be run by well educated arborists.

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Well said sir Greenjeans, as an avid well educated arborist myself I couldn't agree more, these younf folks may be well intentioned but certainly they shall do more damage then good!

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@MrGreenJeans and @Dances*like*Jesus: Both of you and all local green enthusiasts are welcome to join this volunteer project on 5/22.

The project is being organized by the four above mentioned groups, but the Buffalo Olmsted Park Conservancy will be leading the direction of the work.

Volunteers from each group will be clearing out non-native/invasive plants and replanting the area with native plants, small trees and shrubs. The participants will also be adding pathways with wood chips to allow park users to better access that section of the park.

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is dedicated to becoming the greenest parks system in the nation. Along those lines the organization is actively restoring natural and forested areas within South Park, Cazenovia Park and Delaware Park. The challenge is unique as the organization acts as the stewards of an artificially created landscape that has become overrun with non-native plants.

These invasive plants crowd forested areas, cost a great deal in manpower to remove, are less than aesthetically appealing, they are also a poor home for our wildlife. Local wildlife depends upon our city parks for food and shelter as the rest of the city is developed and built up.

To support a plan for the 21st Century and also to become the greenest parks system in the nation, the organization is planning to remove the invasive plants within South Park, Delaware Park and Cazenovia Park. The same day they remove these invasive plants they are going to replant the cleared areas with native trees, shrubs, ground covers to restore what was there in the past and help local wildlife today.

As a "well educated arborist", your thoughts on best practices, a greener Buffalo and your participation in this and other local projects is highly encouraged. If you'd like to work with or share your concerns with Buffalo Olmsted Park Conservancy, please do so by contacting them directly.

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