b'Article by Juliana BarrettContactJuliana Barrettjuliana.barrett@uconn.eduseagrant.uconn.eduVoluneers, including local garden clubs, played an integral part in creating the new marsh migration buffer area in Stonington, CT. (Above) A large Shad Bush is rolled into place. (Below) A few volunteers take a brief rest to pose for a group photo. Planting for Marsh Migration A New Native Garden Provides an Educational ExperienceAvalonia Land Conservancy (ALC)Garden plants were removed by gardento plant over 100 native trees, shrubs and received a land parcel donation to addclubs and other groups, and the areaperennials from local nurseriesmany of to their waterfront Dodge Paddockwas covered in black plastic during thewhich are salt tolerant. We placed plant Beal Preserve in Stonington Borough,summer of 2018 to kill any remaininglabels throughout the area so that the Connecticut in 2018. The parcel includedroots and seeds. In the fall, the area wasmany visitors who walk the preserve can a large, cultivated garden bordering aseeded with native grasses as winter cover.learn the names of these native plants. marsh. With funding from the Long IslandThen in May 2019, volunteers gatheredMonitoring of the site includes photo Sound Study Futures Fund, Juliana Barrettdocumentation of plant cover, assessment (CT Sea Grant/Extension) and Bethof the plantings, and soils testing by the Sullivan (ALC) led the effort to naturalizeUConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Lab as well this area with a goal of creating a marshas by soil scientists from USDA Natural migration buffer. With rising sea levels,Resources Conservation Service. tidal wetlands are migrating landward andNot only are the nursery plants doing upland border areas are getting wetter.well, but we saw recruitment of wetland This site presented the opportunity toplants from the bordering marsh with plant native, salt tolerant species withseedlings coming up throughout the buffer labels, and provide an educational expe- area. HErience for visitors to learn about native plants. 10 2019 HIGHLIGHTS OF EXTENSION 2019 HIGHLIGHTS OF EXTENSION 11'