Composting in Tallahassee | Building Soil in the Red Hills and Sandhills
Years ago I tagged along with an archeologist to a site in the Saint Marks Refuge. After some bushwhacking through a hardwood forest, we found ourselves in a long abandoned village. There were no stone ruins, or visible structures of any sort; nothing at all to distinguish it from the surrounding forest. Only one clue told us what had been here before. Looking down, we saw a swath of dark soil peppered with conch and oyster shells. We were, in a way, looking at the compost of prehistoric Floridians.
Take a guided tour of Leon County s biologically diverse communities
Peter Goren
Leon County and the surrounding areas are some of the most biologically diverse in the country. Each biodiverse ecosystem includes several indicator species, those plants or animals that reflect the biotic or abiotic conditions of a given environment.
These indicator species help us identify specific ecosystem and natural communities. In addition, they can provide us with information on the impacts of pollutants and/or physical damage to an ecosystem and give us insight concerning how well an ecosystem is being managed or restored.
One example of an animal indicator species is the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, typically found in mature pine forests with open understory maintained by frequent burning. One of the local areas where Red-cockaded Woodpeckers can be found is being managed by the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy in northern Leon County.
Last spring, we were all ready to host another Open House and Plant Sale on Mother’s Day weekend. When the realities of the pandemic became clear, we canceled the event for the safety of everyone involved.
We typically have more than 500 visitors and dozens of volunteers on site at the Leon County Extension Office. This year we are happy to announce we have adapted our annual fundraiser to a monthly learning and growing opportunity for the whole community.
Our Master Gardener Volunteers will be teaching Thursday evening classes on particular plant groups throughout the year in our new series: Plant with Purpose. Topics will range from milkweed to shade plants to vegetables and herbs for different seasons.
WFSU Local Routes
Tree Planting and Care in Leon County
Mark Tancig from the Leon County Extension Office will be speaking about how to plant and care for your trees. He will also address the most successful varieties to plant and ones to avoid (invasive species).
A part of the NEA Big Read – Leon County.
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
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ABOUT USLocal Routes is a half-hour television program that takes viewers on a weekly journey to explore authentic northwest Florida and south Georgia. From history, to the environment, to the fascinating and often hidden gems that make up our culture, Local Routes looks at where we ve been, where we re going, and the interesting people, places and things along the way.