Mile-a-minute (MAM) is an herbaceous, annual non-native vine that has severely degraded our natural landscape. It can grow to 15 feet in height and often out-competes native vegetation by blocking light. Tree seedlings are often smothered as mile-a-minute vines climb over them at a rate of approximately six inches per day and a length of approximately 20 feet or more per growing season.

We always encourage landowners and landscapers to plant species of trees and shrubs that are not only native to our region but that are aesthetically pleasing and a little different than the usual suspects. There are many shrub species from which to choose, but our struggles with deer and their excessive appetites often limit our willingness to experiment. One native shrub that is underutilized in our region is False Indigo.

Despite the feelings conjured by the words “white-tailed deer," I am always amazed at the visceral reaction I experience every spring when I stumble upon a newborn fawn. Spring is truly the season of rebirth for many species in the natural world and the white-tailed deer’s adaptability has made it both loved and loathed among the general public in our region.

The Laurels, King Ranch and Stroud Important Bird Area (IBA) are the culmination of numerous years’ worth of data collection and the foresight of many conservation-minded landowners. Comprising 41,950 acres within central Chester County-- of which 25,834 acres (62%) are protected by the Brandywine Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust, and county and municipal governments-- it is the largest contiguous block of protected open space in the five-county Philadelphia region. Not surprisingly, this IBA hosts the highest density and diversity of grassland-nesting birds in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Last week, Natural Resources Manager Kevin Fryberger had the opportunity to visit a property in Elverson subject to a Conservancy-held conservation easement. The property had recently been logged and Kevin visited to assess the effects of the timber cut on the property's vegetation and bird populations. While he found a lot of damage to the woodland from the logging operation, Kevin reported a nice variety of both plant and bird species present.