Transcript Swendsen Farm PowerPoint Presentation

A Management Plan for Swendsen Farm, Bethlehem, CT
February
2004
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Swendsen
Farm
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Legend
Corn
Mixed Wood
Dam
Mowed Field
Forested Border
Pumpkins
Hardwood-thick shrub
Red Maple Mesic
Hay
Red Maple Swamp
Hedgerow
Thick Hedge
Hemlock-Hardwood
Upland Hardwood
Lake
Wetland
Rivers
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430
860
1,290
µ
Feet
1,720
Agriculture
Swendsen Farm Agriculture
•Area: 68.5 acres
•Crops:
-Corn
-Hay
-Pumpkins
Current Management Practices
•Herbicides and Pesticides
•Liming
•Crop Rotation
•Soil Erosion Control
Management Recommendations
•Maintain and improve drainage system
•Review pesticide application plan
•Develop an edge management plan
•Maintain and enhance field species diversity
Forests
Forest Communities
1. Hardwood-Thick
Shrub
2. Hemlock-Hardwood
3. Mixed-Wood
4. Red Maple Mesic
5. Red Maple Swamp
6. Upland Hardwood
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1
3
4
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Objective: Maintain Forest Health
Considerations:
• Potential pathogens
• Invasive species
Recommendations:
• Monitor for hemlock woolly adelgid and
beech bark disease
• Eradicate invasive species where feasible
Objective: Watershed Health
Considerations:
• Vegetation traps sediments and prevents
sediment loading of streams
Recommendations:
• Maintain riparian buffers
Objective: Wildlife Habitat
Considerations:
• Food Sources
• Shelter
Recommendations:
• Maintain variety of food sources and
habitats
Objective: Aesthetics
Considerations:
• Beautiful stands enhance the visitor
experience
Recommendations:
• Create and maintain aesthetically pleasing
stands
Wetlands
Objectives
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Preserve wildlife habitat
Maintain high water quality
Maintain ecosystem health
Promote aesthetics
Preserve species diversity
Recommendations
• Maintain buffers
• Restrict recreational activity
• Monitor pond and wetlands for
invasive species
• Encourage community groups to
pursue wetland projects
Wildlife
Taxa
Total
Abundant
Common
Uncommon
Rare
Endangered
Amphibians
16
0
11
3
2
0
Reptiles
20
4
13
2
0
1
Birds
165
9
90
62
23
1
Mammals
52
5
31
12
3
1
Potential Wildlife in Non Forested Areas of Swendsen Farm (source: NEWILD)
Taxa
Total
Abundant
Common
Uncommon
Rare
Endangered
Amphibians
15
0
11
2
2
0
Reptiles
20
4
11
4
0
1
Birds
152
6
80
46
19
1
Mammals
51
3
30
14
3
1
Potential Wildlife in Forested Areas of Swendsen Farm (source: NEWILD)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Indiana Myotis Myotis sodalis
Source: Corbis.com
Endangered Species
Source: Merlin D. Tuttle Bat Conservation International
Bog Turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii
Source: Bern W. Tryon/Knoxville Zoo
Management Recommendations
• Maintain habitat diversity
• Maintain species that provide food and
shelter
• Develop strategies to enhance habitat
connectivity
Recreation
Objective
To open up Swendsen Farm as a passive
recreation resource for the general public.
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Percentage of Respondents who
Support that Activity
Choice of Recreation
100
n=198
n=201
80
60
n=196
n=200 n=196
n=204
n=200
n=198
n=202
20
0
Recreational Activitiy
Recommendations
• Mark property boundaries
• Include a recreation clause in the
agricultural lease
Recommendations
• Designate recreational options
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Bird and scenic observation sites
- Skating
- Cross country skiing
- Picnicking
Recommendations
• Build a parking lot
• Create a trail
system
Recommendations
• Develop signage
- Welcome sign
- Steep slope warning signs
- Pesticide application signs
Recommendations
• Appoint a property steward
• Publicise opening of the property to
the public
• Approach community groups
regarding use of the property
Education
Objective
To investigate the potential for utilizing
Swendsen Farm as an educational resource
for schools and the community.
Local Schools
• Bethlehem Elementary School
• Woodbury Middle School
• Nonnewaug High School
Recommendations
• Forge relationships with the local schools
• Develop interpretive materials
• Promote educational activities on the
property
Priorities for 2004-2005
Figure 9.1 Prioritization of Recommendations and Timeline for 2004-2005
BEGIN DIALOGUE WITH SCHOOLS TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MATERIALS
APPOINT A PROPERTY STEWARD
PUBLICIZE PROPERTY AND CREATE A WEB PAGE
ESTABLISH SITE FOR PARKING LOT; BEGIN CONSTRUCTION
MODIGY AGRICULTURAL LEASE
APPLY FOR GRANT FOR TRAIL CONSTRUCTION
BEGIN TRAIL CONSTRUCTION OF SHORTER LOOP
DECIDE ON APPROPRIATE RECREATIONAL
USES OF THE PROPERTY
MARK PROPERTY BOUNDARIES
DEVELOP SIGNAGE
CONSIDER STRATEGY FOR GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOP PLAN FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT PLANTINGS
MONITOR POND AND WETLANDS FOR PHRAGMITES AND PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE
REMOVE EXCESS AMOUNTS OF COARSE WOODY DEBRIS FROM
PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE AREAS
MONITOR FOREST FOR HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID
PICK LOCATION FOR MEADOW
CARRY OUT ASSESSMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF TILE DRAINS
CUT EDGES ON THE BORDER OF THE CORN FIELDS
ENSURE THAT FARMER CONTINUES SUSTAINABLE SOIL PROTECTION PRACTICES
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
WINTER
Melissa Aikens
Jessica Barnes
Alvaro del Campo
Elizabeth Petruska