Contributed by Courtney Masterson, Botanist and Ecologist with Native Lands, LLC.

Have you noticed a change to the Lawrence River Trail (LRT) this year?

You may have noticed the poison ivy was less “in your face” or that the honeysuckle was disappearing, giving the other plants room to grow.

You’re getting an inside view of an ecosystem restoration. Invasive and nuisance plant species are being removed and replaced with native trees, grasses and wildflowers, making the LRT a safer, more sustainable place to hike and bike.

This popular public trail is transforming due to the efforts of several local nonprofits and environmental organizations. Friends of the Kaw, in partnership with Native Lands LLC, Lawrence Mountain Bike
Club, Westar Energy Green Team, and Lawrence Parks and Recreation, began the riverbank restoration in September 2018. The team will continue to work down the trail over the next two years.

In just one season, the team has:
・Worked on the trail with 380+ volunteers from the community
・Restored 1 mile (4 acres) back to native vegetation
・Added 50+ plant species to the trail system, through planting and seeding
・Provided on-site education for nearly 200 students from local schools

Be sure to visit this trail in the spring and following seasons, as the ecosystem surrounding it will only grow more beautiful and diverse over time. The native plants will not only provide a more pleasant experience for us, they will also provide important habitat for wildlife. Watch for birds and pollinators to return to the area as the native plants bloom and produce nuts and berries.

Native plants will also protect the soil along the trail, anchoring it during heavy rains and reducing the flow of excess nutrients into the Kansas River.

This project was funded by the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council.

Updates on the project are posted regularly on the Friends of the Kaw and Native Lands LLC Facebook pages.

If you’d like to get involved with the project in the future, join the volunteer list on the Friends of the Kaw website.

The project team looks forward to spending time in nature with you on the Lawrence River Trail.