When we first moved to Blackbird Creek Farm in 2018, we could not walk the upper part of the property, near the barns, without getting covered in burdock, and the poison hemlock was so thick in some areas that you could not walk through. By selectively mowing these areas, via machine or grazing with animals, we have eliminated many of these noxious weeds and allowed for pasture grasses and flora to come back.

The acres of pasture, across the creek, have been taken over by thousands of saplings of ornamental pear, Russian olive, multiflora rose, and Japanese honeysuckle. While some of these plants may be beautiful, all of them are classified as invasive species. We have been working to remove as many of them as we can while selectively leaving our native honey locusts, ash, maple, beech, and oaks.

Leaving areas of land “natural” we are encouraging certain species of wildlife to make their homes here. We have witnessed several species of birds, not commonly found in this area, and have seen and found many evidences of beavers on the property. There are a few vernal ponds and smaller pools in which we have found salamanders and many varieties of insects, frogs and birds. 

While some animals can be a bit of nuisance at times, like when racoons get into the chickens, we try to cohabitate wherever and whenever possible.