Jamestown 4H Center Wetlands Nature Walk

Barbara Gustafson. Co-chair of the Virginia Peninsula Tree Stewards

Two years ago the Jamestown 4H Center got a grant to build a Wetlands Nature Walk along the James River. When it was completed, Sue Vezeau, the Jamestown 4H Center Program Director , asked the Peninsula Tree Stewards if they would be agreeable to undertaking a tree and plant ID of the site with the objective of creating an educational wetlands walk with viewing sites for the 4H participants and the general public. We went out to look and agreed that this was a logical and worthwhile objective

The walk begins near the marine science center, curves around a river bluff, goes over first a swampy tidal wetland area, then a ravine often filled with water and ends with steps down to a beach area by the river's edge. The nature of the terrain allows many varieties in tree and plant growth. The total length of the walk is 429 feet long. Jackie Lohr, my co-chair, and I began organizing an ID of the trees, shrubs, and other plants early last spring.

The terrain made it difficult to get up close to many of the trees and shrubs. High boots and strong legs were a must, as well as a good lens and a variety of reference books. Our pros at tree ID, like Jackie, Diane Short, Sue Liddell and Larry Riddick, found themselves getting second opinions from Virginia Tech more than once. Along with the Bald Cypress, American Holly, Black Tupelo, American Sweet gum and Pignut Hickory, we discovered many native wetland shrubs and plants we do not often encounter. One of our remarkably skilled team, Wendy Mooring, also leads tours at the Living Museum and could take specimens back there for more specific identification. Cynthia Long of the Native Plant Society was invited to give second opinions on plant ID and proved to be another great asset.

We divided the walk into 26 views, 13 on the low side and 13 on the high side. For each view between 8 and 12 trees, shrubs and plants were identified and flagged for future permanent markers. Special items of interest, such as the sex life of hollies, lichen, snags, crayfish, water hemlock, cypress knees, downy false foxglove, the swollen trunks of the black tupelos and the lively osprey nest at the end of the walk were all noted. Art Gustafson devised a mapping system to simplify the designing of the view plaques. Lynn Flood obtained permission from Peterson's Tree Guide to use their tree silhouettes on the plaques. Flora Adams devised a cataloging system to help us know just what we had identified and how to locate everything. By late fall we were ready for the next step.

After brainstorming both with each other and with Sue Vezeau, we selected two types of tree markers to choose from, one used at the York Master Gardener Learning Garden and one that was recommended by Bonnie Appleton. A third recently used at the Virginia Living Museum we are now appraising. I have begun to design the view plaques and a process is in place for the actual manufacture and installation of both plaques and markers. We then were planning to design study guides and various information to be posted on the 4H Website. The opening date for the walk was tentatively set for mid-summer.

However, our project hit a snag in the form of a tornado January 11. Part of the walk was badly damaged and a number of trees and shrubs damaged or destroyed. So before we can continue, we must now go back and revise our ID, seeing what is still standing and what needs to be replaced. As the indomitable Sue Vezeau has noted, if it had to happen, at least it was before the plaques were designed and manufactured. Now hopefully all will be completed and the walk opened by next year. It is certainly an exciting project for all of us involved.

Peninsula Tree Stewards had completed their work of identifying trees along the new walkway at the 4-H Education Center and were working on signage when the January 11 Tornado struck. Part of the walk was badly damaged and a number of trees and shrubs damaged or destroyed. The next step is to go back and revise the ID, seeing what is still standing and what needs to be replaced. Pictured are Wendy Mooring and Larry Riddick.