Paul Krafel, author of Shifting / Seeing Nature

Paul Krafel is one of the great unsung ecological thinkers.  His original book, "Shifting", self-published in the 1980's, gained a cult following for its blending of meticulous natural history observations (i.e. the entire sequence of insect colonization of a decomposing deer over an entire season) and deep reflections on the role of humans vis-a-vis nature, work, and mind.  His book is now being republished as Seeing Nature: Deliberate Encounters with the Visible World.

He is also a founder and senior instructor at Chrysalis Charter School in Redding, CA.  He writes a series of newsletters about life at the environmental education-focussed school, as well as his continuing explorations into inner- and outer-space (see story about photos above).

A Tree Dies in the Forest...

Eastern forest disturbance is primarily through canopy gaps.  These forests are ...."characterized by a long recurrence interval of disturbance relative to successional recovery time as well as small disturbance area."
HR Delcourt and PA Delcourt. Eastern Deciduous Forests. in  MG Barbour and WD Billings; North American Terrestrial Vegetation. 2nd Edition.

Stream Restoration with NCSU

Along Dry Gulch in Carrboro, North Carolina:

Karen Mendenhall (NCSU extension specialist) and city of Carrboro Environmental Planner, Randy Dodd led the riparian planting.  Rock structures had already been installed:


Detail of restoration plunge-pool rock structures.  Not visible is the substrate, an innovative mix of sand and woodchips.

Juncus ephesus was planted below bankfull - hopefully it won't wash out in the big storms of winter!


Species Planted:

Woody:
Betual nigra (Black or River Birch)
Alnus serrulata (tag alder)
Rhodendron austrinum (Florida Azalea)
Hamamelis sp., probably virginiana (Witch Hazel)
Quercus michauxii (Swamp Chestnut)
Platanus occidentalis (American Sycamore)
Salix nigra (Black Willow)
Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood)
Viburnum sp (Viburnum)

Grasses:

Juncus ephesus (Soft Rush)
Chasmanthium latifolium (River Oats)