Restoring Streams Beyond Property Boundaries

Construction Update: Have you noticed activity and tree clearing near Kirk Farm Fields and Mallard Creek Greenway? The work is part of a $6.2 million stream restoration and infrastructure project. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is restoring nearly 6,000 linear feet of the Mallard Creek corridor to stabilize eroded banks, reduce sediment, improve water quality, and create healthier conditions for local wildlife. The project also includes a new section of the Cross Charlotte Trail connecting Mallard Creek Church Road and Pavilion Boulevard. Although some tree removal is necessary to safely complete the restoration, native trees, shrubs and vegetation will be planted throughout the area once construction is finished. The result will be a healthier creek, a more resilient natural environment and an expanded trail connection for the University City community. Read more details on the project from The Charlotte Observer: https://lnkd.in/gG6cKRyq

What you’re looking at is reclamation that, by all accounts, is long overdue. Stretching 2,000 miles from Alabama to the Canadian Maritime Provinces, the Appalachian Mountains have served as the backbone of Eastern North America for millennia. They are an ancient range where past and present converge, and northern and southern ecosystems meet to form one of the most biodiverse landscapes on Earth. Since European settlement, Appalachia’s rich diversity and mineral wealth have been extracted to fuel economic and geographical growth. But it came at a steep cost. In Kentucky’s Pulaski County, the land carries deep scars from coal mining that happened in the 1970s and ’80s. Fifty years later, this site was dominated by non-native grasses and invasive species, and the soil was heavily compacted. In those conditions, native forests had little chance of returning on their own. Today, that trajectory is shifting before our eyes. Young trees, part of a much larger story unfolding across Appalachia, are stitching a once-fragmented landscape back together. At this site, that work is reconnecting a key migration corridor within the Cumberland River Watershed. With each passing season, the new forest expands, recreating the continuous canopy that species like the Cerulean warbler rely on. 🎯 Project Goals: Restore native shortleaf pine and upland oak forest where it historically existed, reconnecting to a critical migration corridor.  🚀 Impact: As part of an Appalacia-wide surface mined land restoration initiative, a total of 30,600 trees were planted on 16.59 hectares of land.     🌱 Planting Method: Intensive site preparation, including vegetation removal and deep cross-ripping, was required. Afterward, trees were planted at a density of 1,844 trees/hectare. By planting at a high density, the growing trees compete for light and space, suppressing invasive species and developing a healthy forest structure. The following native species were planted: White oak, chestnut oak, northern red oak, black oak, shortleaf pine, black cherry, American chestnut, sycamore, silky dogwood, blackgum, persimmon, yellow poplar, American hazelnut, eastern redbud, black locust, American plum. Note: Satellite imagery reflects data availability and may vary due to factors like cloud cover, revisit rates, and cost. Despite these variables, visible vegetation recovery in previously degraded areas demonstrates clear growth and restoration progress.

"Historically dams have been engines of industry, powering mills and factories, that whole communities were built around," writes journalist and documentary filmmaker Greg Cook. "Now so many dams continue to obstruct our waterways long after their purpose has disappeared." In Massachusetts, that's more than 3,000 dams. In this blog post, Cook shares a glimpse of how Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration is working with partners to remove one of the state's largest, the Wheelwright Dam near Hardwick. He is working on a film about the project, which will restore about 130 miles of upstream and tributary habitat in the Ware River system. https://lnkd.in/gHw9-yxE

The Wheelwright Pond Dam removal represents an important step toward restoring the ecological health of the Ware River. We're excited to work alongside Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration and EAST QUABBIN LAND TRUST INC on this effort that will reconnect habitat and improve river function.

This is a great example of why I advocate for natural solutions vs nature based. They self regulate and fit within the environment much better than a planned design that would need maintenance in order to function the way we intended. Natural solutions are better at adapting to change, they are a living/breathing system that can accommodate and adjust far sooner than what can take years of study for us to understand and then implement.

For seven years, officials in the Czech Republic worked through permits and planning for a wetland restoration project that was expected to cost about $1.2 million. The goal was to build dams that would slow water, help restore the wetland, and bring the damaged area back to life. Before construction began, a family of beavers moved into the area. They built dams in almost the same places engineers had planned to build them. The beavers did not need machinery, blueprints, crews, or a large public budget. By building their dams naturally, they slowed the flow of water and helped create the wetland conditions officials had been trying to restore. The result worked so well that the planned construction was no longer needed. Authorities estimated that the beavers saved about $1.2 million. Beavers are often called nature’s engineers because their dams can reshape entire landscapes. Their work can improve water quality, reduce flood risk, store water during dry periods, and create habitat for birds, fish, amphibians, insects, and other wildlife. Research has also supported the value of beaver activity in ecosystems. A 2022 study found that beaver dams can help improve water storage and support healthier wetland conditions, especially in areas affected by drought or land degradation. In this case, the beavers achieved in a few months what had taken people years to plan. It is a simple reminder that nature often has its own solutions, and sometimes the best builder is not a human engineer at all. Amitabh singh Jolly

For commercial properties, effective stormwater management is not only an environmental consideration—but it’s also a smart investment. Well-designed landscapes can help keep rainwater on site, reducing runoff, erosion, flooding and water pollution while protecting your property and infrastructure. Features such as bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavement and green roofs can be integrated into commercial landscapes to improve drainage, enhance appearance and support long-term site performance. When developing a new property or upgrading an existing one, strategic landscape solutions can help create a safer, more sustainable and more resilient site. Looking for ways to improve stormwater management on your property? Our team can help. #CommercialLandscaping #StormwaterManagement #SustainableDesign

When most people think of marine construction, they picture heavy machinery, disrupted shorelines, and industrial grey concrete. Historically, development along our coasts has driven habitat fragmentation, replacing complex natural ecosystems with flat, lifeless seawalls. #eastcoast #seawall #construction https://lnkd.in/g3kW_d9p

What's happening to Nine Mile Run during the Commercial Street Bridge construction? Learn how Upstream Pittsburgh is working with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to preserve the waterway and prevent pollution. https://lnkd.in/eZHUDrQU

When most people think of marine construction, they picture heavy machinery, disrupted shorelines, and industrial grey concrete. Historically, development along our coasts has driven habitat fragmentation, replacing complex natural ecosystems with flat, lifeless seawalls. #eastcoast #seawall #construction https://lnkd.in/gbdpfzyi