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Journey to the Heart of Nature
excerpt from Fourth Visit: Caring for Your Site

Here are some projects that will help you care for your site. Choose one that meets the special needs of your area, and that you might enjoy doing. Your guide can help you decide on a good choice.

Before you begin a project, think about it from the point of view of the plants and animals. Will it help them? In one traditional culture, the leaders would carefully consider how any important action would affect the people living in the village seven generations later!

Soil Conservation Projects

As Paul Brand’s story shows, one of the best ways to care for a site is by protecting the soil from erosion. The plants benefit, and because animals depend on plants for food and shelter, they benefit, too.

See if you can find any places in your site where the life-giving soil is washing away. Look for signs of water running down a steep trail or road, or across bare ground such as might occur at overused campsites.

The upper layer of soil and leaves softens the rain’s impact and prevents erosion. The topsoil absorbs water like a sponge, and holds food for trees and other plants. When people remove the Topsoil, the ground loses its protection against the elements, and the raindrops beat on it like tiny hammers. On sloping ground, the rain can carry away huge amounts of soil. The following projects help preserve the topsoil.

WATER BARS. In an area where water runs rapidly downhill, you can place logs across its path. As water travels downhill, it picks up speed and carries away more soil. Placing logs at intervals along the slope slows the water’s progress and prevents soil erosion.

For each log, dig a diagonal trench across the water’s path. Make the trench deep enough so that just two inches of the log stick up above the ground. Make sure the logs are long enough to prevent the water from flowing around them. The logs should also divert the water to an area at the side of the channel where it can be safely absorbed into the ground.

To anchor each log, drive stakes into the ground at each end on the downhill side. (You can also drive stakes on the uphill side, if you think they’ll help hold the log firmly in place.) Pound the tops of the stakes down level with the tops of the logs so people won’t trip on them.

MULCHING. If you site has areas of bare dirt or abandoned roads, you can reclaim the soil by mulching. Gather leaves, wood chips, lawn clippings and other nature materials and spread them over the ground in a layer 1 – 2 inches thick. Mulch protects the soil, absorbs water, and provides food for plants.

Keep the mulch away from tree trunks so that creatures that live in the soil won’t damage the bark. If there’s a fairly steep slope uphill from where you’re working, you may need to build water bars (see above) to keep the mulch from being washed away.

WILLOW STAKES. Did you know that if you plant a willow branch in the ground, it will sprout and grow into a new tree? You can start other river trees such as cottonwoods and poplars the same way.

If there is a stream in your area, you can plant willow stakes along the banks to help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. The trees help keep the water cool and provide shelter for wildlife.

The best time to plant willow stakes is from late fall to early spring, since the trees are dormant at this time. Cut a stake from a willow branch at least a half-inch thick and at least 18 inches long, so that the planted end will reach down through the dry topsoil to where the soil is wet all year.

After sawing off a suitable branch, shape the thicker end (the one toward the trunk) into a point with an axe. At the other end, make a straight, flat cut.

If the ground is hard and rocky, you may need to dig a hole first. If the soil is wet and soft, hammer the pointed end of the stake into the ground. To prevent the tops from splitting, put a board over the flat end of the stake as you pound.

Remember to plant each stake deep enough to reach wet soil, to prevent it from drying out in hot weather. Also, make sure that one-half to two-thirds of the stake is buried. This helps the tree grow a root system that’s big enough to support the tree.

You should see noticeable growth within one year. The trees you plant will soon make a big difference to the health of the stream and to everything that lives there.

Habitat Preservation Projects

PROTECTING SENSITIVE AREAS. Human traffic can harm delicate areas such as small wetlands, meadows filled with wildflowers, and groves of old trees. You can help protect these fragile areas by laying out a trail that lets people enjoy the site from a safe distance. You may also need to block off older trails that lead into the area.

NATURAL AREAS. This project demonstrates what happens when nature takes back land after humans have managed it. It works best in urban areas that have lawns and gardens.

Find a suitable area, like a lawn or pasture, and ask permission to use the site. Then mark off the site with a boundary. The area should be at least 400 square feet (20’ wide by 20’long). You can use a smaller site if you have to. Build a simple “fence” with string and stakes. Make a sign that explains what you’re doing. For example: “this area is being reclaimed for nature study.” Your plot may begin to look wild and neglected, and the sign will prevent people from “improving” it by mowing weeds.

Before long, you’ll see wild plants begin to take back the area. To help nature along, try growing some native plant species. Ask for them at a local nursery. As time passes, nature will create a wild garden at your site, complete with insects, birds, and small mammals.

Copyright Joseph Cornell All Rights Reserved

HOW TO ORDER:
All Sharing Nature Products are now available through secure online ordering.
Or call toll free to order through Inner Path at 866-665-7765

In the United Kingdom you can order our books from Deep Books, ltd.
Contact: David Birkett, david@deep-books.co.uk

Joseph Cornell's books are currently available in the following foreign languages: Chinese, Danish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Slovene, Spanish, and Thai.

Excerpts from Journey to the Heart of Nature

Table of Contents

First Visit: Choosing and Exploring Your Area

Third Visit: Getting Close to Nature

Fourth Visit: Caring for Your Site

| Flow Learning™ | Nature Activities | Programs | Calendar of Events |
| Sharing Nature Worldwide | Country Coordinators | Joseph Cornell |
| Books and Resources | Connections and More Information | Mailing List

Sharing Nature Foundation
14618 Tyler Foote Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959
530-478-7650
e-mail: info@sharingnature.com

			Home Flow Learning ™ Nature Activities Programs Calendar of Events Sharing Nature Worldwide Country Coordinators Joseph Cornell Books and Resources Connections and More Information
	Journey to the Heart of Nature excerpt from Fourth Visit: Caring for Your Site
	Here are some projects that will help you care for your site. Choose one that meets the special needs of your area, and that you might enjoy doing. Your guide can help you decide on a good choice. Before you begin a project, think about it from the point of view of the plants and animals. Will it help them? In one traditional culture, the leaders would carefully consider how any important action would affect the people living in the village seven generations later! Soil Conservation Projects As Paul Brand’s story shows, one of the best ways to care for a site is by protecting the soil from erosion. The plants benefit, and because animals depend on plants for food and shelter, they benefit, too. See if you can find any places in your site where the life-giving soil is washing away. Look for signs of water running down a steep trail or road, or across bare ground such as might occur at overused campsites. The upper layer of soil and leaves softens the rain’s impact and prevents erosion. The topsoil absorbs water like a sponge, and holds food for trees and other plants. When people remove the Topsoil, the ground loses its protection against the elements, and the raindrops beat on it like tiny hammers. On sloping ground, the rain can carry away huge amounts of soil. The following projects help preserve the topsoil. WATER BARS. In an area where water runs rapidly downhill, you can place logs across its path. As water travels downhill, it picks up speed and carries away more soil. Placing logs at intervals along the slope slows the water’s progress and prevents soil erosion. For each log, dig a diagonal trench across the water’s path. Make the trench deep enough so that just two inches of the log stick up above the ground. Make sure the logs are long enough to prevent the water from flowing around them. The logs should also divert the water to an area at the side of the channel where it can be safely absorbed into the ground. To anchor each log, drive stakes into the ground at each end on the downhill side. (You can also drive stakes on the uphill side, if you think they’ll help hold the log firmly in place.) Pound the tops of the stakes down level with the tops of the logs so people won’t trip on them. MULCHING. If you site has areas of bare dirt or abandoned roads, you can reclaim the soil by mulching. Gather leaves, wood chips, lawn clippings and other nature materials and spread them over the ground in a layer 1 – 2 inches thick. Mulch protects the soil, absorbs water, and provides food for plants. Keep the mulch away from tree trunks so that creatures that live in the soil won’t damage the bark. If there’s a fairly steep slope uphill from where you’re working, you may need to build water bars (see above) to keep the mulch from being washed away. WILLOW STAKES. Did you know that if you plant a willow branch in the ground, it will sprout and grow into a new tree? You can start other river trees such as cottonwoods and poplars the same way. If there is a stream in your area, you can plant willow stakes along the banks to help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. The trees help keep the water cool and provide shelter for wildlife. The best time to plant willow stakes is from late fall to early spring, since the trees are dormant at this time. Cut a stake from a willow branch at least a half-inch thick and at least 18 inches long, so that the planted end will reach down through the dry topsoil to where the soil is wet all year. After sawing off a suitable branch, shape the thicker end (the one toward the trunk) into a point with an axe. At the other end, make a straight, flat cut. If the ground is hard and rocky, you may need to dig a hole first. If the soil is wet and soft, hammer the pointed end of the stake into the ground. To prevent the tops from splitting, put a board over the flat end of the stake as you pound. Remember to plant each stake deep enough to reach wet soil, to prevent it from drying out in hot weather. Also, make sure that one-half to two-thirds of the stake is buried. This helps the tree grow a root system that’s big enough to support the tree. You should see noticeable growth within one year. The trees you plant will soon make a big difference to the health of the stream and to everything that lives there. Habitat Preservation Projects PROTECTING SENSITIVE AREAS. Human traffic can harm delicate areas such as small wetlands, meadows filled with wildflowers, and groves of old trees. You can help protect these fragile areas by laying out a trail that lets people enjoy the site from a safe distance. You may also need to block off older trails that lead into the area. NATURAL AREAS. This project demonstrates what happens when nature takes back land after humans have managed it. It works best in urban areas that have lawns and gardens. Find a suitable area, like a lawn or pasture, and ask permission to use the site. Then mark off the site with a boundary. The area should be at least 400 square feet (20’ wide by 20’long). You can use a smaller site if you have to. Build a simple “fence” with string and stakes. Make a sign that explains what you’re doing. For example: “this area is being reclaimed for nature study.” Your plot may begin to look wild and neglected, and the sign will prevent people from “improving” it by mowing weeds. Before long, you’ll see wild plants begin to take back the area. To help nature along, try growing some native plant species. Ask for them at a local nursery. As time passes, nature will create a wild garden at your site, complete with insects, birds, and small mammals. Copyright Joseph Cornell All Rights Reserved HOW TO ORDER: All Sharing Nature Products are now available through secure online ordering. Or call toll free to order through Inner Path at 866-665-7765 In the United Kingdom you can order our books from Deep Books, ltd. Contact: David Birkett, david@deep-books.co.uk Joseph Cornell's books are currently available in the following foreign languages: Chinese, Danish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Slovene, Spanish, and Thai.
	Excerpts from Journey to the Heart of Nature Table of Contents First Visit: Choosing and Exploring Your Area Third Visit: Getting Close to Nature Fourth Visit: Caring for Your Site

	\| Flow Learning™ \| Nature Activities \| Programs \| Calendar of Events \| \| Sharing Nature Worldwide \| Country Coordinators \| Joseph Cornell \| \| Books and Resources \| Connections and More Information \| Mailing List Sharing Nature Foundation 14618 Tyler Foote Rd. Nevada City, CA 95959 530-478-7650 e-mail: info@sharingnature.com