Tag Archives: Whiting Road Nature Preserve

Welcome to the newest trees in town

20 Oct

Many thanks to all of the community members who helped out last weekend at the Friends of Webster Trails ReTree planting event at the Whiting Road and Michael A. Johnson nature preserves.

The workday was in support of ReTree Webster, a Friends initiative, which seeks to preserve our open space forests by removing invasive species and planting native trees. 

Two dozen enthusiastic folks showed up to do the planting, including several families with young children. Everyone pitched in to help clear areas, dig holes, clean dirt of debris, transport and place the bagged trees in holes, backfill and provide fencing to the protect the trees from deer. Thanks to the large and dedicated workforce, the job was completed in a little over two hours. 

Two sites were chosen for the plantings, the new Michael A. Johnson Nature Preserve (adjacent to the Hojack Trail between Van Alstyne and Drumm Road), and another near the smokehouse on the Blue Trail of the Whiting Road Nature Preserve. The team planted 20 trees, including White Pine, Red Maple, American Elm, Bitternut Hickory, Swamp White Oak and Pagoda Dogwood. 

The Friends were blown away by how many community members answered the call. Many thanks to you all for your hard work, and also to Glenn Morrell and his Webster Parks and Rec crew, who moved the trees from the nursery to the two planting sites.

Consider taking a hike during this beautiful autumn to check out the new trees at Whiting Road and Michael A. Johnson nature preserves. If you’d like to participate in or donate to the ReTree Webster effort, contact the Friends of Webster Trails by clicking here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 10/20/2022)

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What’s going on at WRNP?

14 Mar

You may remember reading a short time ago about the Friends of Webster Trails‘ Re-Tree Project, the goal of which is to save our Webster forests from insects and disease.

If you’ve hiked the trails at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve recently, you may have noticed some work being done there as part of that project. John Boettcher from the Friends recently explained what was going on, writing,

As part of the ReTree effort from the Friends of Webster Trails, we have had a contractor come in on two occasions to clear some of the invasive woody plants on the east side of WRNP.  Thus far this work has been concentrated along the Blue Trail north of the parking lot. … In the future, we will replace the invasive species with native plants purchased or grown in a nursery to be constructed.

Signs have been posted along the trail explaining what’s happening.

Here’s more detail about the ReTree Project, from the Friends:

The forests of Webster are under attack. Insects and disease are going after the ash, hemlock, oak, and beech. As they die, they will be replaced by invasive and most times non-native trees unless we do something.  

The Friends of Webster Trails has established a group to come up a plan and set it in motion.  ReTree – Replanting Our Native Forest aims to do just that. Tree surveys have been completed of many of our trail areas telling us what trees are present and their number.  You may have already noticed efforts to clear invasive plants along the Blue Trail in the Whiting Road Nature Preserve. In fall, potted trees of appropriate species will be purchased and planted in this area.  In spring, we will be building a tree nursery to grow native trees from seeds for future planting.  

If you’d like more details about the project or want to participate, contact the Friends of Webster Trails through the form on the website and someone will get back to you.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

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Explore a “hidden gem” with the Friends of Webster Trails

15 Aug

Even if if you’ve hiked some of Webster’s fine trail system, you may not know about this one.

It’s the Midnight Trail, which can be found just south of Webster Park. On Sunday August 26, The Friends of Webster Trails would love to introduce it to you at their second of three Hidden Gems hikes, a series designed to introduce nature lovers to some of Webster’s lesser-known trails.

The two-mile hike will begin at 1 p.m. at Whiting Road Nature Preserve, cross Whiting Road and head into Webster Park via the Midnight Trail loop. The trail will have some rolling terrain but is not too steep.

This hike will be held rain or shine, but any changes to the event will be communicated via email, so please sign up by clicking here. Anyone is welcome to attend, but please leave your pets at home this time around.

The map below, pulled from the Friends of Webster Trails website, shows the trail you’ll be hiking. Make sure to check all the trail maps and other great information on that website. Then go over to the membership page and throw these folks some cash to thank them for creating and maintaining Webster’s awesome trails.

midnight trail

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

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