Good news: Reedy Creek recieves its final release of mitigation credits!

We are thrilled to announce that the Reedy Creek Stream Restoration Project has received its final credit release. This means the data collected over the past five years proves the site is stable and functioning naturally. Over the past ten years, the major milestones for this project have included:

  • 2014: Wildlands is selected to navigate the first design-build stream restoration project for the City of Charlotte Umbrella Mitigation Bank.
  • 2015: Wildlands completes the design.
  • 2016: The project design is approved by government agencies including the US Army Corps of Engineers and the NC Department of Environmental Quality.
  • 2017-2019: Construction occurs on over 26,000 linear feet of stream.
  • 2019-2023: Five years of monitoring is conducted.
  • 2024: Final mitigation credits are released.

Capture a #NewReedyCreek photo next time you are at the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve!

Have you noticed the yellow photo point posts in the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve? These were installed by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation where the trails cross the stream restoration project to help document the changes through time. The above time sequence of Reedy Creek was assembled from images captured and posted to social media exclusively by citizens! Next time you are at the park, don’t forget to post your own picture from one of these posts, and use the hashtag #NewReedyCreek to be part of the project!

It’s Spring at Reedy Creek!

Many native wildflower species are in bloom this spring at Reedy Creek! The project restored and enhanced many different habitats, including streams, wetlands, and forests, each of which supports different types of plants. Wildflowers emerging below the tree canopy include mayapples, violet wood sorrel, and jack in the pulpit. Sightings also included one uncommon species found in wetter streamside soils called the atamasco lily. This lily is also known as the Easter Lily since it usually blooms around Easter (fourth photo). Wildlands is delighted by the diversity of species growing at the project so soon after construction and cannot wait to see what blooms next!

The Reedy Creek Site Continues to Thrive!

It’s been three years since construction wrapped up at the Reedy Creek site.  The floodplain vegetation continues to thrive, and the trees planted after construction have now grown above the tall grasses!   This natural progression in forest growth is exciting to see.  These riparian areas will continue to provide habitat and support animals as they grow and change.

Pink Lady’s Slipper Spotted by Scientists

During this year’s monitoring period, scientists discovered a patch of moccasin flower, or pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule), growing in the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve. The pink lady’s slipper is a member of the orchid family and requires a special symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil to germinate and grow, making it difficult to reach maturity and often taking years to grow from seed to a mature plant. Pink lady’s slippers grow in a variety of habitats found in eastern United States forests. Most are found growing in mixed hardwood coniferous forests, in semi-open areas with well-drained soil. We are thrilled to see unique plants such as this thriving within the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve!

Scientists Continue Monitoring Success at Reedy Creek

Scientists are currently performing the third year of post-construction monitoring at the Reedy Creek Stream Restoration Project. Based on their findings and observations, trees, plants, and shrubs along the stream are growing right on track. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to hike the Sierra Loop trail to check out the stream corridors that have come to life! The above photos feature views of Reedy Creek and Sassafras Creek from the trail bridges.

First time visiting Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve? Be sure to check out this informative map and guide ».

 

Spring has sprung at the Reedy Creek Stream Restoration project!

It’s spring at the Reedy Creek Stream Restoration project! Redbud and dogwood trees along the stream are in full bloom.

This winter, scientists installed additional monitoring equipment next to the streams. This equipment will help them study wetlands that are developing next to the stream. Wetlands provide additional areas for animals like frogs and salamanders to live. Wetlands also help filter and clean water before it reaches the streams. The scientists will study the wetlands over the next several growing seasons.

Post-construction monitoring shows restoration project is on the way to success!

The first growing season of post-construction monitoring of the Reedy Creek Stream Restoration project is complete. Scientists found exciting results! The streams are stable and newly planted trees in the floodplain are growing. The streams created a place for fish and bugs to live in the water. Scientists observed many frogs and salamanders living in the newly restored habitat. Frogs, salamanders and other amphibians do not live in the streams because they do not need water at all times during the year. Instead, they live in pools beside the streams that are dry during the summer and wet during the winter and spring. This winter there are lots of pools beside the stream channels at Reedy Creek for wildlife to make their home!

Crews are Actively Monitoring the Success of the Stream Work Performed

This month, monitoring crews have been on-site at the Reedy Creek Stream Restoration Project. Now that construction of the project has been completed for approximately eight months, these crews are tracking the stability of the streams and how trees and vegetation are responding to the stream restoration efforts.

Reedy Creek Restoration Project Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: June 4th, 2019

What a great day to celebrate our Reedy Creek Stream Restoration Project! This project has transformed Reedy Creek into a healthy stream system. It restored, enhanced and preserved over 40,000 feet of stream. We’ve improved water quality, fish and aquatic habitat, and restored an environmental gem for our residents to enjoy today and for generations to come. Thank you to our partners!

Click here to view full video coverage of the event »