Grassland Restoration | |
| The main activity of the Friends of the State Line Serpentine Barrens has been the restoration of the grasslands in the Barrens in order to preserve the rare ecosystem. Three techniques have been used for restoration: - | |
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Cut and Drag - If left undisturbed serpentine grasslands will normally be invaded by green briar, cedar and pines trees. Stunted serpentine grasses can be seen underneath these trees. By cutting down the trees and dragging the wood off the grasslands they can be restored. At New Texas and Chrome the restoration of grasslands using cut and drag has been completed and the restoration activity is now in the form of maintenance. A substantial number of the grasslands at Goat Hill have also been restored. |
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Scraping
- this is the most drastic technique used for restoration. After clearing the vegetation on the site the soil is scraped off down to bedrock. Usually the seeds of serpentine grasses are then broadcast in order to accelerate the generation of a new grassland though experience has shown that native serpentine plants do establish themselves without intervention. Documented scrapings have taken place at Goat Hill (1998), Goat Hill (2006), and Chrome (2008). |
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Prescribed Burns - Burning can knock back invasive plants and, if the heat is intense, can also reduce the soil depth by igniting organic material in the soil. Burns have taken place at Chrome, Nottingham County Park, and Pilot. The only recent burns that the Friends have participated in have been at the Pilot Preserve. |
SitesSelect a site below to see information the restoration activities that have been undertaken together with photographs. Descriptions of the work undertaken at each site are available in the reports section of the web site. | |
 | Pilot This preserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy of Maryland and the Girl Scouts of America. The Nature Conservancy manages the property’s ecosystem. Prescribed burns have been used to preserve the serpentine grasslands on this site. The total area is a little less than 100 acres. |
 | Chrome This Preserve of 200 acres is owned by The Nature Conservancy of Pennsylvania and Elk township. The Nature Conservancy manages the Elk township property. |
 | Goat Hill This serpentine area is owned by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, The Nature Conservancy, and private owners. It is around 650 acres in total area. |
 | New Texas The grasslands on this site are privately owned and have been ecologically managed by The Nature Conservancy for many years. It is around 200 acres in extent. |
 | Nottingham County Park The Park is designated as a National Natural Landmark and is 650 acres in area. |