The Restoration of Paradise Grove (continued from page 17)
composition, Niagara Parks determined that the site should be restored back to an Oak Savannah.
During the spring of 2022, NPC’s Forestry Team identified 30 hazardous dead oak trees as well as over sixty oak trees found in declining health, most of which, were mature White Oaks. Coordinated sampling efforts with external government agencies confirmed that Oak Wilt, another nearby invasive species threat, was not the cause of the decline. While there was no obvious single reason for the decline of these mature oak trees, it was theorized that there could be multiple stressors contributing to the oak decline.
Regeneration through Fire
Since 2008, Niagara Parks has been managing and supporting the savannah habitat within Paradise Grove, using the prescribed burning method. Prescribed burns have been conducted at the site every 3 - 4 years, resulting in great success toward limiting the establishment of invasive species, while promoting the growth of native understory species and oak regeneration. Through the ongoing support of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the early success of the Prescribed Burn program at Paradise Grove has led to the development of the Niagara Parks Prescribed Burn Team. This committed team is comprised of over 20 specially trained staff members, who now conduct regular prescribed burns at up to 12 different grassland habitat sites throughout Niagara Parks’ lands each spring. In addition to prescribed burning, Niagara Parks has continued to manage invasive plant and insect species throughout the site. In 2019, an aerial application of the insecticide BtK, was conducted to lower population levels of the invasive Spongy Moth. This application was effective at limiting defoliation of the mature Oak trees and the gradual decline of Spongy Moth populations in this area.
Due to the hazard represented by the dead oak trees located adjacent to the Niagara Parkway and the Niagara River Recreation Trail, all 30 trees were removed by NPC’s arborists over a one-week period in July 2022. Based on the age and size of trees removed, NPC committed to a robust 5:1 replacement ratio, with five trees planted for every one that was removed. Made possible through the Niagara Parks Foundation and its priority of tree planting on Niagara Parks property, Miller Waste Systems donated $10,000 to cover the cost of planting the 150 new trees at Paradise Grove. To aid the remaining Oak trees in decline, guide species selection and increase the survival of any newly planted trees, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) was hired to perform a soil analysis throughout the Paradise Grove property. The soil analysis identified that soil nutrient content
Community Support for Paradise Grove
In collaboration with Niagara College’s Ecosystem Restoration Program, the Paradise Grove Savannah Management Plan was developed to guide the long-term management of this unique property. The plan identified numerous ongoing threats, such as invasive species and soil compaction while supporting the need to continue utilizing prescribed burns as a management tool and increasing biodiversity through the planting of additional native species.
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The Green Sward – Winter 2022
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