So many good ideas! I'll see about calling the Parks and Wildlife next week. And I'll have to put some pondboss books on my list of things I want.
We did get to talk to someone from a local tree nursery today and we feel really good about that relationship. Yes, we want shade trees around the house and fruit trees further out. I don't think citrus does very well here b/c we do freeze over the winter. Not constantly, nor every night, but often enough to kill a lot of the really tinder stuff.
We are thinking that we will work to clear all the vines from around the trees that are around the pond so that we can see better what is there. The hard part is that this pond seems to be spring fed, and didn't dry up last summer. And the pond extends onto the property south of us and they water cows on a tank dug off the main pond. I read that letter to the editor of the guy who is cleaning out his pond by hand (shovel and wheelbarrow). That has inspired me!
I love this magazine and this forum is a lot of fun. Thanks for all y'alls help!
