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HomeMy WebLinkAboutO&N BUSINESS - WBCA Forest Management InitiativeBuilding a more resilient WBCA Conservation Agents Brady Hill and Rob Brewer Background: West Barnstable Conservation Area • 1992 Management Plan done for the property •Characterized as an even-aged and relatively homogenous mixed forest with very few wetlands •Very few recommendations given for forest management, though water reservoirs were recommended to be built •Points of interest: •Field of Dreams and COMM Fields (just off the property), mowed annually •Transmission right of way through length of property •Shooting range currently not operating, though hunting allowed throughout property •Most recently managed through prescribed burns in 2019 and 2020 Background: WBCA Publicly-Owned Neighbors •Otis Atwood Conservation Area: Managed under plan from 2000, across Route 149 from WBCA •Cape Cod Airfield: Directly adjacent to WBCA, in use for planes and skydiving, parts being managed for endangered grass •Danforth Recreation/Conservation Area: Across Race Lane from WBCA but connected by cow tunnel, provides Mystic Lake access •COMM Fire District and Wells: Area designated for wells directly adjacent to WBCA, partly developed for Water Dept usage, contains COMM fields Background: Contiguous Ownership (1,600+ acres) Key Conservation = 1,230.85 acres COMM Fire District = 146.14 acres Asset Management (Land Bank) = 255.95 acres Asset Management (Other) = 0.99 acres Contiguous is being used here to mean any parcel adjacent to WBCA or directly across a public road. The golf course (southeast in pink) is excluded from any calculations. What are the threats? •Species loss •Increased damage from more frequent natural disasters, including: •Drought •Pathogens and pests (such as the Southern Pine Beetle) •Invasive pressure •Wildfires •Continued habitat fragmentation from road usage, development, and lack of management where necessary What’s the plan? Increasing resilience through promoting diversity 1.Take preventative action against Southern Pine Beetle 2.Create early successional habitat for gamebirds, cottontails, and other species 3.Reduce wildfire risk through prescribed burns and firebreaks 4.Create and expand wet habitat sustainably 5.Reduce invasive flora pressure where it is dense 6.Promote habitat and property connectivity 1. Take preventative action against Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) •Why? •SPB is an emerging threat to pitch pine forests •Cause mass die-off •Thinning of pitch pine stands is best preventative measure •Several susceptible stands at WBCA, but not urgent enough to act before planning O’Dell, D., Nantucket Conservation Foudnation, 2023 Bartlett Tree Service, n.d. 2. Create early successional habitat for gamebirds, cottontails, and others •Why? •Lack of significant early successional habitat for Ruffed Grouse or New England Cottontail, causing their decline •Many other species benefit from these habitats like Wild Turkey and many migratory birds •Would involve management of large forest plots by patch cut, thinning, or clear cut •Planting of shrubby species or early successional trees like aspens Lelierve, F., Cornell Lab, 2022 Farrell, C., Cornell Lab, 2019 3. Reduce wildfire risk through prescribed burns and firebreaks •Why? •Forest detritus has continued to build for decades (flammable) •Old fire breaks have grown in over time •Fires could become more frequent with changing climate •Prescribed burns must be resumed •Historical fire breaks could be reestablished •Could serve other purposes for wildlife 4. Create and expand wet habitat sustainably •Why? •Many species limited by lack of water •Only a handful of wet pockets exist in the area, all ~0.5 acre or much smaller •Could involve expanding existing wet spots or artificially producing wetlands •Ensure they will last into the future •Create more habitat for amphibians and birds requiring wetlands 5. Reduce invasive flora pressure where it is dense •Why? •Areas of property being overtaken by invasive plants •Habitat close to largest trails, power lines, and roadways most at risk •May also be contributing to species loss •Localized eradication of certain invasives (i.e., bittersweet, knotweed, olive) •Herbicide use as necessary to ensure success 6. Promote habitat and property connectivity •Why? •Properties lack smooth flowing, naturally dynamic habitats •Certain parcels separated by paved roads (Race Ln, Rt 149, Osterville-West Barnstable Rd) •Create feathered edges or a stadium effect, a gradient from grassland to forest providing for transitional habitats for certain species •Consider wildlife crossings between large tracts of land What’s been done thus far? •Had introductory talks with Chandler Buie (Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society) and Kaylee Szymanski (National Wild Turkey Federation) for their support •Completed a preliminary review of the properties for SPB susceptibility with DCR Service Forester Jim Rassman • Recommended to create a formal plan prior to taking action on SPB •Submitted application to DCR for cost-share of creating new management plan •Contacted stakeholders for surrounding public properties to involve their land in this planning effort (e.g., Asset Management, COMM Fire District) Commission: Will you endorse us in continuing to explore this planning and management effort of WBCA and surrounding lands?