Discovery Point Habitat Restoration Update

Volunteers recently planted 1,000 native flowers in the Phase 1 restoration area at Discovery Point, Nine Mile Creek’s office and educational facility. The flowers will add diversity, attract pollinators, and help fill in sparse areas of the restoration. Buckthorn and invasive honeysuckle was removed from the phase 1 and phase 2 areas in February and November of 2017, respectively.

 

Due to the late spring, native seeding and planting in the Phase 2 restoration area (southwest part of the property) has been delayed until September to reduce heat stress on the new plants and seeds and reduce watering demands. If you visit our site this summer, you will notice that this area looks very brown. This is because it is being prepared for the fall planting. Buckthorn re-sprouts and other invasive weeds were sprayed with herbicide to prevent them from spreading, and to clear the space for native seed.

 

As part of the planting in Phase 2, a professional restoration contractor, Minnesota Native Landscapes, will install 35 trees and 105 shrubs as part of this phase. The plants were selected by Landscape Architects from the District’s engineering firm, Barr Engineering, in consultation with District staff and approval from the City of Eden Prairie and the Minnesota Land Trust. The selection was based on historic and present site conditions, screening ability, and resistance to climate change.

 

Learn more about the restoration on our restoration project page.