On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, volunteers from FOWB, Friends of Cedar Mountain, several Master Naturalists, and several Master Gardeners, gathered together to help steward the property on Payne's Farm. Led by the American Battlefield Trust Land Stewardship Manager, Tom Saielli, the group focused on "cut stump" strategies to manage the small, woody invasive vines and shrubs. Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus Umbellata), Privet (Ligustrum Sinese), and Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica) are the dominant invasive species throughout the woods, along edges, and around the pond. Other invasive plants that are sporadically present include Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) and multiflora Rose (Rosa Multiflora), and significant Lespedeza (Chinese Bush Clover).
After a brief safety talk and information about what we need to do, plus some excellent education about pesticides, the group got to work, but not until getting a group photo! ABT and the other groups working together will have more workdays coming up... A few more at Payne's Farm, some at Cedar Mountain Battlefield, and some at Culpeper Crossing in Remington. These workdays will be scheduled throughout the fall and the winter. The Orange County Chamber of Commerce donated bottles of water and Gatorade, which was appreciated by all.
Butterflies were abundant that day, with the milkweed at the end of their blooming season. The goal is to keep the property as a safe ecosystem for the animals and native plants, so that nature lovers, walkers, and Civil War History Buffs can enjoy it for years to come.
These two photos below were taken by Gary Close.
