The Canyon may look entirely natural, but it takes a lot of upkeep to make a small space pleasant for humans and a good habitat for animals.
This week, Randy Zebell with Recreation and Parks worked with two volunteers from the Friends of Glen Canyon Park to deal with some overgrown Arroyo willow.
Arroyo willow provides branches for many migratory and native canyon birds, but must be pruned back to allow the same birds easy access to the creek.
Next the team descended down to the banks of Islais Creek to unravel twisting Cape ivy wrapped inimically around Dogwood branches.
On the way to jousting with the invasive Cape ivy, Zebell pointed to reintroduced Shining willow, a tree that grows higher than its sister willow and one that will add diversity structure to the canyon’s natural habitat. Woodpeckers enjoy poking holes in Shining willow, building nests and taking afternoons off.