Sunday, July 09, 2006

Purpose of this blog

Vestal Grove is a pint-size wilderness coming back to life. Rare orchids, birds, butterflies - and rare people. This blog tells their stories.

More than 460 native plant species. Thousands of (mostly small) animals. They eat each other and support each other. That's what makes for beautiful and inspiring diversity. It's not romantic; it's blood and guts and nectar and pollen and fire and ice.

The people of Vestal Grove and the larger volunteer network have been celebrated in books, TV and even song. But the existing stories just scratch the surface. Here we post news and tidbits of the ecology, restoration and conservation of Vestal, Somme, and other nearby nature preserves.

Our savannas, woodlands, prairies and marshes are under the care of hundreds of wonderful people who study, plan, burn, cut brush, plant seeds, and otherwise work to restore health to the natural ecosystem.

Find more basics at www.sommepreserve.org. Contribute your ideas here. The future of the ecosystem depends on our thinking and doing. (Thanks for your interest.)