Habitat Regeneration Projects
Millgate Meadow Project
February 2024 Update on Millgate Meadow Project
In the spring of 2020, The Habitat Connection proposed a project to the Millgate Board that would restore the common area at the south end of the Millgate property in Franklin, TN, into a meadow with native grasses and wildflowers. This project has the potential to become an oasis of biodiversity in an otherwise mowed monoculture landscape. The meadow project will not increase HOA fees or operating expenses (project costs will be from donations to The Habitat Connection). In the long term, it will cost less to maintain (less mowing expense) while providing critical wildlife habitat, which can enhance the area for all residents (both wildlife and humans).
To (a) reduce maintenance costs of repeated mowing and (b) transition to a native plant ecosystem, the meadow was not mowed during 2020. Numerous test plots of mixed wildflowers were planted in the meadow to determine if wildflowers would thrive. The test plots did very well - confirming that wildflowers will do well in the meadow. As the pandemic took hold, it was decided to install raised-bed gardens for Millgate residents to spend time outside, be active, and build community.
During 2021 and 2022, the meadow was mowed and sprayed several times (the area inside the walking path) to remove heavy infestations of Bermuda grass, crabgrass, and other invasive weedy species. In November 2022, a native seed mix from Roundstone Seed was planted.
In the spring of 2023, we began seeing the results of the seeds planted last fall. Of the 20 different seed species in the mix, we identified 18 plants growing in the meadow by mid-summer. Some wildflowers that bloomed were an Indian blanket, black-eyed Susan, gray-headed coneflower, coreopsis, false sunflower, partridge pea, smooth aster, goldenrod, and purple and white prairie clover. We expect to see more of these species bloom in 2024 and others that will mature this season (bergamot, rattlesnake master, blazing star, purple coneflower, etc.). We have also noticed more bird activity in the meadow – American goldfinch, song sparrow, mourning dove, field sparrow, and bluebird; and lots of pollinator activity (bees and butterflies). We believe this project is quickly becoming our “proof-of-concept” project for regenerating small meadows. Anyone interested in more information or scheduling a site visit can email us at admin@thehabitatconnection.org.
Franklin First Meadow Project
February 2024 update FFUMC project.
Franklin First United Methodist Church is located in Franklin, TN. They have a geothermal heating and cooling system with field lines buried in a ~10-acre field south of the church building. Other factors limiting development include power lines, a rainwater retention basin, a pump house for a well, and an easement from the city of Franklin for an underground stormwater pipeline along Spencer Creek at the south edge of the field. The field has been managed by bush hogging with a tractor for the last several years since the geothermal system was installed. The plant assemblage is typical of abandoned farmland in TN, predominantly weedy species with lots of Johnson grass.
The Habitat Connection has been working with the Church and their associated environmental nonprofit Creation Care to restore the geothermal field to a native plant community of native grasses and wildflowers that will provide habitat for birds, pollinators, wildlife, and humans.
During 2021, the field was bush-hogged, sprayed, and disked several times to deplete the invasive plants (mostly Johnson grass). This process continued during most of 2022 with some noticeable success. In early 2023, the City of Franklin announced the next phase of the stormwater pipeline construction project along the southern border of the geothermal field along Spencer Creek. Since this activity will likely impact much of the area along the south portion of the field, the decision was made to delay the project until more is known about the timing of the construction project and the extent of disturbance along the field. The plan for 2024 is to bush-hog the field several times to mitigate the spread of invasive weeds, especially Johnson grass. Stay tuned.
