|
Rush Run Riparian
Restoration Project
Rush Run is a 1.5
mile long tributary of the Olentangy which drains approximately 2
square miles in Franklin County. Its natural flow has been
channelized, and the streamside vegetation has been altered.
Invasive plants such as honeysuckle and garlic mustard have
crowded out native wildflowers along the stream banks in the
residential areas, and turf grasses dominates the industrial
areas. The water quality is listed as fair to poor.
In 2006 the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded FLOW a grant to restore a
section of the streamside along Rush Run. FLOW selected a 408 foot
section in Park Blvd. Park, in Worthington because it was heavily
overgrown with invasive honeysuckle and because it was located on park
land where it could attract public interest and participation.
In its natural
state, the streamside vegetation of Rush Run would consist of a balance
of trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. This vegetation would
provide erosion control, shade, and a variety of habitats for wildlife.
However, the Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera mackii)
dominates the banks of Rush Run. Very few native wildflowers and shrubs
can survive the crowding and shading. Introduced to the Midwest from
Asia in the 1800’s as a garden ornamental, Amur honeysuckle has escaped
cultivation. It spreads easily by seed, is fast growing, and is very
adaptable. The Ohio
Department of Natural Resources has more information on
invasive bush honeysuckle.
In the spring of
2007, FLOW and the Worthington Department of Parks and Recreation began
to restore native vegetation. Volunteers contributed over 450 hours to
clear the banks of honeysuckle and plant 94 native trees and shrubs, 50
ferns and over 900 perennial wildflower plugs. Volunteers also planted
a seed mix of native floodplain species and watered and mulched the
area throughout the dry summer. FLOW has compiled a list of plants used in this
restoration and a gallery of
photos showing the work accomplished.
Volunteers
monitored water quality before and
after the restoration, and FLOW will be continue to monitor
Rush Run at Park Blvd. Park in the future.
An educational
sign was placed on site in November 2007 describing the work
accomplished at Park Blvd. Park. FLOW will participate in the upkeep of
this section of Rush Run in the future. Watch for future workdays at
Park Blvd. Park in the FLOW Calendar
of Events.
An educational sheet for class
or scout visits to Park Blvd. Park is available, as well as information
on what you can do to improve
streamside corridors in your neighborhood.
This project was
funded by a generous grant from the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation.
FLOW would like to
thank the following organizations and individuals for their
participation in making this project successful.
|
