Where: Fairdale Public Library, 10620 West Manslick Road, Fairdale, KY 40118
When: Wednesday, 23rd July, 6-7:30 pm
by Julian Campbell and Josh Wysor
Interested people are invited to this presentation and discussion at Fairdale Public Library on Wednesday, 23rd July, 6-7:30 pm EDT presented by Julian Campbell and Josh Wysor. “The Wet Woods, Salt Licks and Purple Orchids of Fabulous Fairdale“.
What is the Natural History of Fairdale–which emerged from the notorious “Wet Woods” of southern Jefferson County? How has this local ecology affected the human history and economy of this region since Virginian settlement? Where are best remnants of the original landscape, together with native flora and fauna? Can the community aim to conserve or restore such sites in an organized fashion? Can we assemble material for an interesting educational booklet (or website) that could be used to guide field trips and management? This presentation will address these questions, illustrated with old maps and current photographs. We hope to discuss mutual interests with the community, and to suggest ways forward. Much relevant information is available but there does not yet appear to be a definite plan for harmonious balance of development and conservation
The great extent of original wetlands in southern Jefferson County was remarkable, especially around the large pond that used to cover several square miles between the Airport and the Outer Loop. The wetlands have resisted human development. But Mann’s Salt Lick was a central feature of early economic activity, producing salt during 1780-1810, and it had been important for migrating herds of large herbivores during previous ages. This large lick was located west of the National Turnpike, between the Outer Loop and the Gene Snyder Freeway, mostly in or near the Glengarry subdivision. The restored wetland behind the Speedway gas station still has salty ground, licked by deer. The site deserves a historical marker on the Turnpike, as proposed by Marylyn Nelson in 1976. There are several wooded areas remaining, and some of these have relatively large trees that deserve preservation. However, some sections of the original landscape were probably more open, without deep forest shade, because of the effects of beaver damming, buffalo browsing and Indian burning.
There are no good remnants of more open marshes or seasonally wet prairies. But there are records of several rare plants and animals that used to occur in these intermediate habitats, between deeper shade and open water. Most of these records have been accumulated during past decades by the University, state agencies and local naturalists. There is now a need to review and update the biological and ecological information, in order to guide more concerted efforts in conservation. For example, we have recently rediscovered a few plants of the rare “purple fringeless orchid”–a beautiful species that deserves careful recovery and propagation.
Please forward or repost this announcement to any appropriate website / social medium. And please let me know if you plan to attend or if you would like to participate at some later date. We are willing to come to other venues that you suggest. We are especially eager to meet people interested in a good balance of conservation and development in the Fairdale area.
Julian Campbell: campmeet@gmail.com; 859 229 7711