Important, but Not Pretty, Work coming on the Grass Roads Lower Suwannee NWR roadside and overhead clearing is expected to begin in 2024. The Refuge received funding to reclaim roads, clear roadsides, and overhead trees on 70 miles of our grass roads ("behind the locked yellow gates").  After 44 years of ecological succession the forest has regrown with a vengeance. We need to reclaim the right-of-ways primarily for ease of access with equipment, for prescribed fire safety, but also to increase grasses and flowering shrubs for pollinators.
Like many of you, we are sorry to see how bare this necessary clearing makes the right of ways, but we know that, like prescribed burning, the clearing work will make the forest healthier and better for wildlife and visitors. While we encourage the contractors not to work during hunt seasons, they do have the prerogative to do so. Any questions or concerns, call/text/email me at [email protected] or 703.622.3896.
2 Comments
Linda W. Curtis
12/18/2023 10:01:04 am
Do not use phrases like "the forest has regrown with a vengeance."
ANDREW GUDE
12/18/2023 02:51:07 pm
Linda, words do matter as does their meaning and interpretation. In my case I was celebrating the natural recovery of this heavily damaged commercial forest ia a good thing. Coming from the perspective of those who have to maintain access we are pleased it has come back as it does, but it costs us to do so. If you follow our road maintenance we are lucky to mow twice a year to about a foot high and are on the watch for invasives from anywhere. Our forest management will be messy, but then one year later it'll look great. Take care. Leave a Reply. |
Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
P. O. Box 532 Cedar Key, FL 32625 [email protected] We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. |
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