Environmentally Conscious Logging

Project Overview

Developing a program between our business and local logging operations to seed native plants in logging sets. Love Creek Farms will provide prepared packages of wildflower and native grass seeds to be sown in selected sets associated with the project. These plants will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but will also attract important pollinators like bees and butterflies. An additional benefit will be to create patches of natural vegetation for local wildlife such as bobwhite quail, songbirds, small mammals, and a host of other species who thrive on native habitats.

Goals

To make a positive environmental impact.
Create refuge areas for native flora and fauna.
General post-logging beautification of set areas.
Minimize erosion in bare set areas.
Demonstrate to the public that the logging industry is concerned with the environment and the conservation of native species.

Current Partnerships

Hunter-Wasson Timber Services LLC

Details

The following 10 species were selected to seed the logging sets; Purple Coneflower, Indian Blanket, Lance Leaved Coreopsis, Plains Coreopsis, Maximilian Sunflower, Black-eyed Susan, Yarrow, Purple Prairie Clover, Indian Grass, & Switch Grass. Our selections were based on growth rates, hardiness, attractiveness to pollinators, and visual appeal. We hope that with some soil preparation post logging, these plants will quickly germinate, root, and spread to create a beautiful little oasis in the foreground of the thinned timber.

In case you are not familiar with logging terms and procedures, here is a quick overview:

Once a stand of trees reaches a certain size, the trees need to be thinned. By selectively thinning the trees, more room is made for the remaining trees to grow larger. An area may be thinned multiple times, allowing land owners to harvest one area several times over the course of many years.
In order to thin an area, loggers must create a space to operate their equipment. This work place is the logging set. It is an area close to a road that will be cleared of trees for the large equipment and log trucks to access the site.
This is where our project comes into play. The logging set is a high traffic area during the job and usually looks pretty unappealing when the work is done. Our plan is to have the crews clean an area on the logging set site to start our wildflower and grass seeds. A forester will be assigned to distribute these seeds for the best possible success. As the plants grow and bloom, their seeds will then produce more and more beautiful plants. Not only will this be aesthetically pleasing for passers by, it will be a functional and self sustaining source of food and refuge for native species.

We are just getting started

This project is still in it's early stages. Selected sets will be seeded soon, and we are hopeful for amazing results this Spring. We look forward to posting updates and pictures as everything progresses.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact Love Creek Nursery via message or phone 870-230-2391

We also offer seed mixes for individuals on our site. Just go to the menu and select Shop Wildflower Seeds.

Native Plants, Wildflower Seeds, Ornamentals, Custom Planters and More .