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Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery hosted a Native Plant Workshop led by Stantec Senior Biologist, Wes Cunningham. The workshop began with a brief presentation highlighting botanical terminology including what it means for a plant to be "native" versus "introduced", and just how complicated that distinction can become when looking back through the history of specific species. Following the presentation, Wes led the group outside to the hatchery's rain garden to identify the native species that had been planted there years prior. Some of the species detailed in the rain garden included Rose Mallow, Obedient Plant, False Blue Indigo, Wild Bergamot, Button bush, etc. The nature trail located behind the visitor center provided additional native plant species including Spicebush, Elm, and Boxelder trees.
The second portion of the workshop was reserved for the most fervent naturalists as it required knee boots, trudging through thick swamp mud, crossing fallen trees, and cutting through dense vegetation in search of some less common orchids. After the hike in and a hardy search, participants were thrilled to find, identify, and photograph several orchid species in bloom! Among these species were several Pale Green Orchids, Cranefly Orchids (named for their flowers looking identical to craneflies), and Rattlesnake Plantain Orchids. Additionally, many native plants were found along the orchid route that were on the cusp of blooming, one of the most notable being the Cardinal flower. This workshop not only provided participants with a chance to view and identify new native plant species, but also gave them the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a field biologist!
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