NPS/Ervin Natural meadows are ecosystems with an abundance of diverse plant and animal life. These open, sunny grasslands play a crucial role in the fight against climate change and maintaining ecological balance. The National Park Service is dedicated to preserving these landscapes, ensuring they continue to provide essential benefits to our planet. Carbon SequestrationOne of the most important functions of natural meadows is their ability to sequester carbon. Through photosynthesis, meadows capture atmospheric carbon dioxide and store it in their soils and plant biomass. This process helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Protecting and restoring meadows can significantly enhance this natural carbon sink and mitigate the effects of climate change. Temperature RegulationThe vegetation in natural meadows provides shade, cools the air, and maintains humidity levels of the surrounding area. This temperature moderation is essential in combating extreme temperatures that result from climate change. By preserving these ecosystems, we can help create cooler, more stable environments for both wildlife and human populations. 
NPS/Ervin Biodiversity SupportMeadows are rich in biodiversity, supporting a wide range of species, from pollinators like bees and butterflies, to small mammals like rodents, and larger predators like hawks. Many foundational food chain species grow and live in meadows, meaning that without these habitats the food chain would collapse, as larger predators have no source of food. Healthy meadows foster genetic variety, which can improve species’ adaptability to climate fluctuations, diseases, and habitat changes, ultimately creating a healthier and more productive ecosystem. Soil Health and Erosion ControlThe deep-rooted plants found in natural meadows improve soil structure and health. These roots prevent soil erosion, enhance water infiltration, and promote nutrient cycling. As climate change leads to more extreme weather patterns, such as heavy rainfall and droughts, resilient soils become increasingly important for sustaining ecosystems and agricultural systems nearby. 
NPS/Ervin Water ManagementNatural meadows play a critical role in water management. They act as natural sponges, absorbing excess rainwater and releasing it slowly. This process reduces flooding and ensures a steady water supply during dry periods which are both essential for surrounding wildlife and human communities. Maintaining these ecosystems is vital for adapting to increasingly erratic rainfall events InvasivesNatural meadows are crucial for biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem health. However, the presence of invasive plants poses a significant threat to these landscapes. Invasive species grow rapidly and reproduce quickly, enabling them to dominate meadows and overtake native flora. This harms the wildlife that depend on native plants for food and habitat, alters soil chemistry, and can greatly diminish the water-holding capacity of a meadow. We can support native plants and wildlife through invasive management strategies such as manual removal, targeted herbicide use, and the reintroduction of native plants. 
NPS Our Meadow Rehabilitation ProcessThe North Lawn at Hampton National Historic Site is the largest open meadow on the property. Situated between the mansion driveway and Hampton Lane, this meadow would have been used for various recreational and livestock feeding activities. Today, it is largely left unkept and overgrown, with various invasive species establishing themselves in the barren area. With the increasing importance of native meadows, our staff is dedicated to restoring this space to support pollinators and mitigate climate change.Our major goals
Our step-by-step meadow rehabilitation process In 2023, Caroline Emeric completed a comprehensive sampling study to establish a baseline for existing vegetation. This study conducted across four plots determined species richness, evenness, the number of invasives present, and the extent of invasive species dominance over natives.
The four randomly placed plots have an invasive species dominance of 82.3%, 86.9%, 83.3%, and 75.8% respectively. These numbers are quite high, meaning we must remove them before re-establishing native species to the area. The most dominant species include various European pasture grasses, ground ivy, Japanese stilt grass, Japanese honeysuckle, and multi flora rose. Study data from April 2023 evaluating the presence of invasives. Plot points are evenly spaced in each of the four randomly placed plots and each point is determined to be a hit (plant present) or bare (no plant present). The “hits” are then identified. This chart represents 788 points on four plots. Due to the high volume of invasives recorded in our study, we must now take the steps to clear the meadow before replanting. This will consist of a variety of methods including manual removal and targeted herbicide application by our licensed pesticide handlers. A study by DeBerry and Hunter published in the NIH National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests a relative abundance of invasive species at 10% allows for low potential for invasive takeover, and low risk of inadvertent harm to native species through excessive pesticide use and removal techniques. Reaching this threshold will take time and our team is dedicated to this process.
We sprayed our meadow once in October of 2023, a second time in July 2024, and most recently October of 2024. We expect to need two or three more rounds of pesticide spray to fully prepare the meadow for rehabilitation. We plan to seed after these applications in spring of 2025. Blue dye is mixed into the pesticide formula which allows the operator to easily see the sprayed areas and avoid overlap or missing of some areas. Throughout this process, our team is researching elements of a productive, native, meadow to provide our meadow the best chance for establishment. This includes soil preparation, plant selection, considerations to topography, water flow, and more. After the land is well prepared with less than 10% invasive species abundance, we will use native seeds and plants to establish our meadow.
When deciding on our seed mix, we will consider several factors: keeping an accurate historic view from the farmhouse, plant and pollinator diversity, visual aesthetics, and resistance to deer feeding. Some species we plan to include are milkweed, little bluestem, Virginia wildrye, coneflower, and black-eyed Susan. The application will be done without tilling to keep the soil structure strong and prevent erosion. After a few years of growth, this meadow will be a beautiful, ecologically productive, and biodiverse addition to our property. This project does not end with planting. We must continue to monitor and treat invasive species, as they tend to have aggressive growth habits. We will also have to periodically mow the meadow and allow light and airflow to smaller, slower growing plants. Without mowing, taller species would crowd them out and create a monoculture. We will also need to monitor woody plants like trees, including native species.
Open land tends to revert to a forest environment when left alone, meaning we must prevent their growth to keep this space as a meadow. 
NPS 
Plot points are evenly spaced in each of the four randomly placed plots and each point is determined to be a hit (plant present) or bare (no plant present). The “hits” are then identified. This chart represents 788 points on four plots. NPS/Emeric Learn More
|
Last updated: August 6, 2025