Overview of commitments & activities

Commitments for this project are detailed below.

NOTE: Even though the current grant ends in late 2022, there may be opportunities to keep your experiment running longer. Please take this survey (before December 2022) to let staff know your interest in doing more CIU science after 2022. You do not need to commit one way or the other at this time.

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Set-up (early 2020)

Time: Your time to remove buckthorn plus 3–5 hours every year for training, physical set-up, site maintenance, and data collection.

Restrict herbicide use after spring 2020. However, herbicide may be used during buckthorn removal efforts prior to spring 2020.

Land: Experimental sites are 30 x 40 feet. 

Participate in the project through autumn 2022. If for any reason you need to stop participating, notify staff. For most people, the experiment will end in late 2022. However, if land changes ownership or other circumstances arise, please communicate with staff so we can uphold ethical and legal commitments.

Read communications from Cover It Up staff.

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Identify a site

View of forest canopy from below

Between summer 2019 and spring 2020, participants identify areas where they want to run the Cover It Up experiment. Sites must measure ~30 x 40 feet and meet the following three conditions:

  1. Have buckthorn either present or recently removed.
  2. Be located in forest or woodland with at least 50% non-buckthorn tree cover (e.g. oaks, maples, etc.).
  3. Be located within Minnesota.

All proposed sites are reviewed by the Cover It Up research team to ensure site conditions are met.

Remove buckthorn

Removing buckthorn from forested area

After sites are confirmed for inclusion, participants remove all buckthorn stems over 1 foot tall. Participants use removal methods that best suit their needs. The MN DNR website provides information on methods. Participants may use herbicides, but we ask that no herbicide be applied on the 30 x 40 feet project site after the squares have been planted in spring 2020. Using herbicide during the initial removal phase will reduce the time needed for ongoing site maintenance.

Set-up and Seed Mix

Experiment design graphic showing 30 by 40 foot buckthorn removal area and small plots where 3 will be seeded and 3 will be non-seeded

Within the ~30 x 40 feet removal area, participants demarcate six experimental squares, each measuring 5 x 5 feet. Three of the squares will be planted with a native seed mix containing a variety of grasses, sedges, wildflowers, shrubs and trees. The remaining three squares are the experiment’s control squares and are left unseeded.

Plant test buckthorn

Buckthorn seedlings planted in a circle around a flag

At all squares, participants plant test buckthorn seeds in a circle around a small flag. Participants track the germination and growth of these test buckthorn plants throughout the run of the experiment. At the end of the project, participants remove test buckthorn seedlings.

All materials needed for the experiment are provided by the University of Minnesota at no cost to participants.

Seasonal (May-August, 2020-2022)

Total time estimate: 3 to 5 hours per year, 2020 through 2022

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Check on site every spring

Seeker's Ridge experimental site, photo by Citizen Scientist Tracy

In April or May, check on your site. Bring a permanent marker and something for taking notes. Please take these steps:

1) Look over the site. Do you notice any issues? Please contact Cover It Up staff with questions or concerns. We're here to help!

2) Re-label flags that have faded using a permanent marker.

3) Check that flags are securely in place and none are missing.

Maintain site by cutting non-test buckthorn

Cutting non-seeded buckthorn

During the summer months of June, July, and August, participants cut buckthorn that was not directly planted for experimental purposes. (In other words, cut non-test buckthorn.)

Collect & submit data

Two people collecting observations of plant growth in a 5 by 5 foot plot

Participants measure the survival and growth of test buckthorn; take pictures of the squares and of the tree canopy; and estimate areas covered by different types of plants.

Endpoint

Please do not take any actions to end the experiment until you receive specific instructions. Staff will provide details about how and when to remove test buckthorn.

Although the project is at capacity, you can fill out this contact form to stay informed of project activities and potential volunteer expansion in the future.