Barbara A. Santhuff

By Barbara A. Santhuff

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Barbara Santhuff takes in the various paths on her property.Quiet moments on the Spring Path bridge is a favorite summer pastime, as is tracing the Wildflower Path.The Log Road in winter provides some of the best views on the property.Below: Barbara and her husband, Marc, in the middle of yet another project... a hand-dug septic system.

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Barbara walks the Path. notice how the trimmed trees form a funnel.

Where water is concerned, it is best to take advantage of the existing features of the land and let nature run its course.Resist the urge to fill in natural drainage areas.If you are making a path in a steep area, you might want to consider burying sections of logs to create steps and prevent erosion.
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Barbara mowing the Main Path. once rough cut, the path maintains itself through many seasons.

When we began our project, neighbors were extremely curious; some even politely scoffed.Now the locals are constantly hinting that they need a place to walk, to pick berries or to hunt.I can't always sell them on my ideas of conservation, but the concept of having to do less maintenance and mowing seems to have universal appeal.