Finger Lakes National Forest staff and partners were able to replace invasive grasses at Backbone Campground, Overlook Trailhead, and the parking area at Caywood Point with native species, thanks to funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Partners were also key in restoring the areas for pollinators. The USDA Plant Materials Center provided short term seed storage prior to propagation, space to prepare seeds for planting, greenhouse space to grow about 2,000 plugs, and expertise in in the field. In addition, a crew Finger Lakes Community College and a crew from CorpsTHAT!, a program dedicated to connecting the Deaf Community and the outdoors through education, recreation, and careers, helped put the new plants in the ground.
The species of native forbs and grasses planted will provide pollinators with nectar through the growing season as well as habitat to overwinter in the stems and leaf litter of the newly planted species.