Photo courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=3058 The Triangle now has its first solar farm! Strata Solar, based…
Spring has definitely sprung at the They's easement. Leigh Ann and I visited the easement for annual monitoring, and we couldn’t have picked a better day for it. From the pastures to the woods, everything was covered in green.
As we walked the perimeter of the nearly 100 acre property (about one third consists of pastures and open field, and the rest is forested), we encountered several of the many horses the property owners care for. While speaking with two riders, we found out that all of these horses were lucky enough to escape without a scratch from last spring’s tornado that caused extensive damage to the property. With a great deal of effort, the owners were able to restore the pastures and buildings to pre-hurricane conditions, but the woods still bear evidence of the tornado’s destructive power. Leigh Ann and I saw number of huge trees completely uprooted, and we bush-whacked through a great deal of blowdown from branches and smaller trees.
Seeing the destruction that still remains a year later was definitely a reminder of mother nature’s power. As is often the case, where there is destruction, there comes life. Unfortunately, this life takes the form of Microstegium (Japanese Stiltgrass), an invasive grass. Many open areas and disturbed clearings that we walked through were densely carpeted in Microstegium. On the other hand we also saw the resiliency of the forest. Despite the downed branches, Leigh Ann pointed out several unique plants popping up such Pink Lady Slipper, Cinnamon Fern, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Azalea, and Atamasco Lilly. We also saw a Flame Azalea popping up next to a large downed oak.
Overall, it was great to get out into the woods for a little while. As an intern, I’ve spent most of my time at TLC on the computer at the office, so I enjoyed the change of pace!