On Saturday May 22, several Upstate landscape architects were joined by Ernest H. Williams, Jr. (William R. Kenan Professor of Biology Emeritus, Hamilton College), Jesse Bergevin (Historic Resources Specialist, Oneida Indian Nation), and Ronald Patterson (Manager, Oneida Heritage/Shako:wi Cultural Center) for an on-site walk-and-talk at the Rome Sand Plains. Ernest, Jesse, and Ron led an engaging presentation about the ecology, cultural heritage, and ongoing stewardship techniques that define this unique habitat.
Ron opened the event with a land acknowledgment, reminding the attendees of the heritage of the land they were about to experience, its importance to First Peoples, and the responsibility each person has in being a steward of the environment. As the attendees ventured further into the Sand Plains, Ernest spoke about his extensive research on the growth of native lupine, its response to reforestation in the absence of periodic forest burns, and the important role that lupine plays in the life cycle of the rare frosted elfin butterfly. Along the trail system, Ernest helped those present identify unique ferns, mosses, and spring ephemerals in the forest understory. As the trail wound through the undulating sand dunes that were left after the draining of Glacial Lake Iroquois, several patches of native lupine could be seen in full bloom.
Ron and Jesse spoke to the importance of this region for the Haudenosaunee, who used Wood Creek (flowing through the Sand Plains) as a highway from the Great Lakes through to the Mohawk River, the Hudson River, and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. Careful attention to and knowledge of native plants created a system of “rest stops” where food could be gathered and prepared for groups traveling along this route.
Following the walk-and-talk attendees enjoyed lunch at the trailhead, and took time to meet new colleagues as well as catch up with those they haven’t seen in a while. A big thank you to Ernest, Jesse, and Ron, and to everyone who attended!
