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Six things, easier outlined than executed: 1)     In areas with high potential for shortleaf pine-oak savanna restoration, focus on prescribed burning and treatment of aggressive woody plant species. 2)     Protect and conserve high quality forest that hasn’t been recently clearcut. 3)     Be careful to avoid overgrazing in savanna areas. […]

Some scientists estimate that native grasslands have declined by as much as 99 percent. By some estimates, this resulted in three billion fewer birds on the landscape than 50 years ago. This has harmed both the eastern meadowlark and the bobwhite which are both found on Coal Creek.

Historically, open savannas and woodlands were largely maintained by periodic fire, which served to remove dense blankets of accumulated leaf litter from the ground and promote the growth of fire-adapted trees, such as shortleaf pine. Due to the loss of periodic fire, it is estimated that at least 90% of shortleaf pine-oak savanna has been lost.

  Long-time blog followers may remember “Grasshopper George” the name that didn’t work for the scientists. Instead the new species of grasshopper discovered on Coal Creek in 2018 was named (consistent with scientific process) Melanoplus lindemanni Hill. That is the species, me and Hill for the “bug guy” that identified it. Of interest, part of how […]

The habitat for this “new” species is found along roadsides and logging trails, in disturbed woodlands with sandstone outcrops. This particular species of sunflower is known to crossbreed. Confirmed by the University of Tennessee, the hybrid species. Further confirming the finding, two researchers collected seeds, germinating them and growing them, demonstrating that the species is […]

Plant life at Coal Creek has abundant diversity which support a vibrant animal population. Documented by researchers are 76 birds, 526 insects, 19 arachnids, 6 mammals, 5 centipedes and slugs and a fish. Yeah, there’s more, we’re sure but that is a great starter count. Two new species were found, too, one grasshopper and one […]

How diverse are we? Let us count the ways. In the diversity survey researchers documented 599 species of vascular plants that includes 117 families and 337 genera. There are 59 species of trees, 40 shrubs and 3 sub-shrubs. There are 13 wood vines, 348 forbs, 109 species of grasses, sedges and rushes, and 27 ferns. […]

There are places on Coal Creek that include abandoned coal strip mines and developed areas. The mined areas are highly degraded and could be candidates for experimental reintroduction trials of hybrid American chestnut trees. By restoring degraded lands to native forest types, mined land plantings meet multiple objectives. These plantings not only improve wildlife habitat […]

Stands are composed of combinations of native and/or exotic species for which no natural analog exists. In general, wooded pastures are floristically similar to Pastures & Hayfields (16) but include more of a woody overstory. While all types of pastures are critical to Coal Creek Farm’s economy and productivity, at their best, they can also […]