By Gary Crispell, EMG volunteer

Ever been on Washington Street near the Blue Note Grille and noticed the east side of the street? Nope? Didn’t think so. It has been remarkably unremarkable since forever. Few people noticed, but one with some authority and cunning inquired around the EMG volunteers and found a former landscape contractor (FLC) who reluctantly agreed to take on the challenge. The authoritative and cunning person can be quite persuasive. The FLC made an assessment of the site and dubbed it “THE BANK” in a not exactly complimentary way. More like the bank from hell. To say it is steep is to engage in extreme understatement. It runs from nearly vertical to absolutely vertical. There is no soil, only dirt and it is highly eroded. It is full of tree roots, rocks, asphalt chunks and pieces of concrete. And the light varies from full sun to heavy, if not dense, shade. Let’s not mention the accumulated trash.

FLC immediately sought serious help from two desirable EMG volunteers. Desirable in that they know stuff, have certain skill sets and can get stuff done. Any inherent pulchritude is strictly a bonus. “THE BANK” team developed a plan for development. There is the long range plan, mid-range plan, and short term plan which has been put into play already. This team doesn’t mess around. For the short term the middle half of THE BANK has been denuded of whatever was growing there with a weed eater. The roots were left to continue their yeomen’s job of holding some of the dirt.

Photos by Allie Mullin, EMG volunteer

The surface of the dirt was lightly broken up following the contours and THE BANK was sown with partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) seed.

Photos by Allie Mullin, EMG volunteer

The southernmost 3/8ths were left alone as it has some native vegetation growing on it that needs further assessment next growing season. The northernmost 1/8th was lightly disturbed much as the middle and as it is in full sun most of the day it was sown with a wildflower seed mix. The entire disturbed section was then covered with a light layer of pine straw. Now if it will only rain.

Photos by Allie Mullin, EMG volunteer

The final part of the first part is to plant three northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) and three sedges (Juncus tenuis) that have been touted as able to grow anywhere under any conditions. We’ll see about that. All this was accomplished on a sunny Thursday in November with the help of many volunteer hands, most of whom were from the Class 0f 2023. Y’all rock! So, there you have part one. We have restored dignity to THE BANK and hopefully some self-esteem. Just think how it will feel after part deux. What is part deux? You will have to stay tuned….patiently.

Photo by Allie Mullin, EMG volunteer

Resources

North Carolina Cooperative Extension. “Erosion Control” https://brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu/erosion-control/

North Carolina Cooperative Extension. “Stabilizing Slopes” https://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/02/stabilizing-slopes/

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Erosion Control for Slopes, Stream Banks, and Dunes” https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/erosion-control-slopes-stream-banks-and-dunes

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