WINTERCREEPER WEDNESDAYS
Twice a month, 5:30pm - dusk

September 25, October 9 & 23. 

Wintercreeper Wednesday #10 (September 25th - Facebook event link to come.)
Meeting at the Park Ct stairs, east of Wyoming on the west side of the park:
maps.app.goo.gl/u1cZjgGL5xHEP2SC7

Why? - Because wintercreeper snuffs out native plants (and trees).

Wintercreeper on the trees will continue to spread seeds of this aggressive invasive plant throughout our park and neighborhoods unless we get it under control by cutting and treating. Read more on this site about why wintercreeper is bad.

Our Rebuild KC grant funded ecological restoration contractors did work on the park's "best 6 acres" a couple times. After a walk-through with KCMO Parks' environmental manager, they were tasked with using cut/treat methods on bush honeysuckle, spraying ground carpets of wintercreeper, and basal bark spraying buckthorn and tree of heaven. This was a dramatic frontal assault on the park's worst invaders. 

But they didn't get the wintercreeper growing up trees. That's up to us volunteers.

See the "Best 6 ac -Volunteers" map for areas and notes with a focus on what us volunteers can do. Orange markers/areas were recently done. Red markers/areas are not yet done. The Wintercreeper Wednesday work sessions will focus on getting all the wintercreeper growing up trees within these areas as noted on the map. Burroughs Audubon recently posted about the inspiring rebirth of the Shirling Sanctuary in Swope park, using the same methods we're employing: contractors spraying the wintercreeper in September and volunteers cutting/treating it from the trees year 'round: facebook.com/AudubonKC/post... Another inspiring story is the KC Parks Ambassadors group that finished cutting ALL the honeysuckle from Gillham Park last year.

Message RoanokeParkKC on Facebook or on Instagram, or email Chris DeLong at nature(at)roanokeparkkc(dot)org to join in.
Join the email from our home page and check [✔️] "Interested in Work Days" to get notice of these and other cleanups and habitat improvement events.

Are you a member of KC Parks Ambassadors? These events have been added to their calendar. If you aren't, leader Kelly Turner (Jander) is an inspiration and would love it if you joined them. 
Learn about it here: https://kcparks.org/volunteering/ 

Let’s form a community of Wintercreeper Warriors!

Session #1 Report (May 8)
Thanks to ADAM for helping Chris with the first event. We exposed a neat rock face topped by a rock wall dating to circa 1900 at the property line. Four volunteer hours logged.

Session #2 (May 22)
Chris worked alone since NO ONE ELSE came or could make it. Tap tap tap. 🎤 This thing on? Several wintercreeper plants trying to evolve into shrubs were cut and three trees were freed of the climbing vines. Additionally a native seeded patch was weeded. Started early and worked late so another four volunteer hours logged.

Session #3 (June 12)
Long-time helper Randy joined Chris, as did more recent helpers Carol (who brought Tom) and Emma (who brought Jen). The group ranged over the the area east of the Coleman Highlands Spring. A great deal was done and a very tall rock column almost completely exposed. Collectively, 14 volunteer hours were contributed.

Session #4 (June 26)
Randy returned to help as did neighbor and fellow former board member Bob Ellis. Russ from Fairway, a veteran from last winter's seeding event, also helped out. The group moved onto the Devil's Dip trail / Frank Lloyd Wright slope, where the trunks of wintercreeper on the trees have gotten as big as 6" in diameter. 9 volunteer hours were logged, adding to Chris' 2.5 hours the evening before on the Coleman Highlands slope (almost completely done there).

Session #5 (July 10)
Despite only being a party of two, Bob and Chris got a majority of the south meadow needs done. One more session there should do it. 5 volunteer hours were logged.

Session #6 (July 31)
"Lifetime volunteer" Miles participated to make it another party of two, continuing to work on the south meadow needs done. Not quite done there but we're moving on regardless. 4.5 volunteer hours were logged.

Session #7 (August 14)
The work crew of Chris and five helpers headed to the far west side of the park, around the Volker Spring. Two previous park helpers (Randy and David) were joined by three members of KC Parks Ambassadors. Jack was a veteran of anti-honeysuckle events and Scout and Howard were first timers. They said they had fun and would be back. 13.5 volunteer hours were logged.

Session #8 (August 29)
KC Parks Ambassador Howie returned to help Chris and Randy. A freak thunderstorm threatened but missed the park and it was just blue skies and breezes until dusk made us call it for the night. Many wintercreepers creep no more. 5.25 volunteer hours were logged.

Session #9 (September 11)
Adam H. returned to help Chris, cutting a mix of honeysuckle and wintercreeper below the Park Ct stairs, next to the middle trail that goes to the blue swings. Adam has put in countless hours in this general area and is big part of why you can now see from the top of the stairs to the bottom of the slope, and not a wall of honeysuckle. Four volunteer hours were logged.

• Prev