Large sections of the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve will be closed to allow for management of natural areas by the Wood County Park District, beginning Monday, Jan. 6, through Friday, Jan. 10. Specifically, on Jan. 6, the park entrance, parking lot, and adjacent trails will be closed to the public.
Throughout the week, staff from the Wood County Park District Stewardship Department will be using a forestry mulcher to mow prairie areas. A primary purpose of this work is to remove invasive tree species – Buckthorn and Callery pear – that have been encroaching into these areas.
As the forestry mulcher works, woody debris may be thrown, necessitating park closures to keep people a safe distance from the work. Barricades and signs will be posted and strictly enforced.
Over the winter and early spring months, the areas mowed by the forestry mulcher will look significantly different than they do today. As the warm weather progresses into summer, the well-established prairie plants will return without the encumbrance of invasive trees.
This work is important to the long-term health of the natural areas at the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve. As weather permits throughout 2025, similar work will be completed at other Wood County Parks.
