Gleaning Facebook: A Walk Through Burwell Wetland

Thank you to the voters in the city of Rome who sent such a clear message last November that we want our dream of a Central Park preserved for our children and grandchildren. Combining the city's beautiful and historic Jackson Hill property with our wonderful Ridge Ferry Park and thence our amazing nework of Riverwalks by preserving the 80 acres of Burwell Creek property. Here's our original plea:

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Save this mature forest from clear cutting then filling in, paving, and covering with apartments for folks who would never dream of sending their children (God forbid) to public school!

Share, share, share. Spread the word. Find at least ten new votes for change.

Vote NO incumbents.

Save Rome's Central Park!

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AND you the citizens overwhelmingly voted for our two leading candidates, gave slight majorities to three incumbants, and clearly rejected two incumbents -- leaving one of them on the commission by about 30 votes despite his minority support.

NOW, keep alert. Attend the City Commission caucusses and meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Remind the commissioners of our clear wish to use this city property as park land forever.

Lots of violets blooming around the wetlands today.

The Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is prettiest right now with the glossly red and green spring leaves unfolding. But don't touch.

Star of Bethlehem

Look at the tiny fresh clean spring leaves of Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and the huge hairy Poison ivy vine.

The maple samaras are everywhere right now. The Box Elders (Acer negundo) or Silver Maples (Acer saccharinum) may be the likeliest parents of this potential maple tree. I always thought Samara would make a great girls' name.

The beavers love the cambium layer of the trees. These trees seem to have survived the beaver attacks, so far.

See the recent beaver damage on these trees. A beaver lodge is in the background across the water to the right of the three big trees in the center.

Another invasive, the periwinkle (Vinca major)

Trails, cleared by some large machine have appeared recently over the land that used to be a landfill. These have uncovered a good bit of debris from the old landfill: carpeting, bottles, jars, etc. What's going on? Why disturb the landfill?

The early red leaves of some of the maples, are like flowers of spring.