Woods Keeper at
Grant Park
Grant Park Fall Recap 12.02.25
October saw Woods Keeper complete its first major native plant installation! Click HERE to learn about the new Native Garden at Constitution Springs.
November seems like the time when the natives around the pond (goldenrod, bushy bluestem, asters, wax myrtle, cattail) shine the brightest. During this month the team continued making our first pass around the perimeter of the pond removing a large amount of invasive shrubs, trees, and climbing vines.
We also planted the leftover plants from the native garden including white wood aster, christmas fern, and columbine in Constitution Springs, while we split cardinal flower between the Wetlands and the Pond. Lastly, we targeted invasive shrub remnants like honeysuckle, privet, and elaeagnus in Constitution Springs including the steep slope in the center.
For the month of November alone we removed approximately 10 cubic yards of invasive material!
Invasive plants removed include:
Bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
Porcelain berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata)
Bushclover (Lespedeza cuneata)
Tallow tree (Triadica sebifera)
and more
Native plants preserved include:
Asters (Symphyotrichum sp.)
Goldenrod (Solidago sp.)
Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Large leaved cattail (Typha latifolia)
and more!
If you see us out and about in the park don’t be shy, say hi! We love to discuss the benefits of native plants and all the great work Grant Park is doing with its ecological care program.
Thank you to Grant Park Conservancy and all of its supporters for making this work possible.
Previous Updates:
Overview:
In November of 2022 Woods Keeper began work at Grant Park, beginning in the “wetlands” area near Cherokee Avenue. Majestic bald cypress and river birch trees stand tall while native asters and other wetland plants provide for local wildlife. Several planted native button bushes (Cephalanthus occidentalis) dot the area and it’s impossible to miss the stand of gigantic irises. Invasive plants such as honeysuckle, chaff flower, privet, English ivy, and stiltgrass threaten this space and others around the park as they spread rapidly and crowd out native species.
Woods Keeper’s focus is to remove and suppress these harmful non-native invasive plants so that native plants — plants that provide for the local ecosystem — can continue to exist and better yet, thrive. Biodiversity is the goal while beautification and improved visibility are the perks of the process. Check back here for updates or come enjoy another walk in this beautiful, historic park and see for yourself!
**Does native habitat restoration mean every plant that’s non-native will be removed? No. We believe non-native plants can have a place in landscapes as long as they are not invasive. This issue is not black and white and often requires a nuanced discussion involving the specifics of the site.
Winter is a great time for removal as most natives are dormant, making some invasive plants easy to spot as they are often evergreen.
Cypress knees have long stumped scientists about their purpose but they are unique and wonderful, that’s for sure!
