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This innovative management plan for the largest public school landholder in Massachusetts builds from two major stewardship goals: Improve biodiversity/water quality AND create engaging open-air educational and recreational opportunities for the community.
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Pioneering StewardShiP Plan
Pioneer Valley Regional School
Northfield, MA
endorSed by
Adopted by the School CommitteeDecember 19, 2013
John C. LeporeRestoration Ecologist & Designer
7638607813049
ISBN 978-1-304-76386-090000
When John completed his rigorous graduate program, he approached me with a proposal – that we develop a land management plan for Pioneer based on the principles of stewardship, sustainability and resilience with the goal of supporting Pioneer’s educational mission. Coincidentally, the school was in the process of reviewing and revising its mission statement into a statement of core values and learning expectations. In it stewardship and sustainability continued to be central. In fact, one of our learning expectations reads: “Build environmental stewardship as a means to a sustainable future.” It seemed like a natural fit that we would put these words into action.
William Wehrli, Principal, Pioneer Valley Regional School
To see what the easy talk of ecological, resilient design looks like detailed on the ground, get a copy of John Lepore’s Pioneering Stewardship Plan for the Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield, Mass. Lepore combines his intimate understanding of the site and of the school’s mission and mechanics (he was a science teacher there for 28 years) with his advanced degree in sustainable design, his unyielding work ethic, and his passion for place to create a document that has already gained widespread endorsements and assuredly with little delay will inspire actions toward its implementation. Its remarkable thoroughness from inventory through assessment to recommendations make it a worthy prototype for humane ecological design anywhere.
Peter Monro, ASLA, principal of Monro Associates Landscape Architects
Full 3rd edition
An early 1700’s foundation on the south end of PVRS property reminds us of the landscape’s long, rich agricultural past.
DeDicationTo Pioneer Valley Regional School students of the past, present and future. May you continue to learn Nature’s Ways.
Pioneering StewardShiP Plan
Pioneer Valley Regional SchoolNorthfield, MA
John C. lePorereStoration eCologiSt & deSign ProfeSSional
3rd edition
2 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design 3
Co n t e n t S
Forward 7
Executive Summary 9
Preface 11
Introduction 12
Inset: What Is BioMap? 13
Goals 14
Community Process 16
Context 18
History 21
Existing Conditions 28
Inset: Adopt-a-Habitat 29
Site Analysis
Overview 31
Water Resources 32
Surficial Geology 34
Soils 36
Topography & Drainage 38
Vegetation & Cover 40
Inset: Invasive Species 42
Wildlife & Natural Heritage 44
Land Use 48
Existing Access & Circulation 50
Case Study: Art Unites Outdoor Uses 53
Summary I: Sustainable Land Use 54
Summary II: Engaging Destinations & Functions 56
© 2013 John C Lepore, All Rights ReservedISBN 978-1-304-76386-0Please contact John Lepore, [email protected], 413.512.0644 for further information and professional services.
No portion of the publication may be reproduced without written permission from the designer, EXCEPT for educational purposes by the staff and students at Pioneer Valley Regional School.
Additional copies are available from www.lulu.com/PVRS
“EvErybody nEEds bEauty as wEll as brEad, placEs to play in and pray in, whErE naturE may hEal and givE strEngth to body and soul.”
― John Muir
7638607813049
ISBN 978-1-304-76386-090000
4 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design 5
Goals, Actions, & Design Inspirations 58
Designs: Preferred & Alternatives Overview 61
Preferred Design: Resilience 62 Alternative Design I: Stewardship 64
Alternative Design II: Open-Air 66
Getting Started 68
Resources, Grants & Partnerships 70
Appendices
Community Input 73 Historic Details 75 Soil Test Results 79 Invasive Plants - Guidelines for Managers 81 Invasive Plants Management Details at PVRS 82 Invasive Plant Locations/Replacements at PVRS 86 NHESP Management at PVRS 88 Forest Management Strategies 100 Photovoltaics - Buy or Lease? 103 Grants & Foundations 105 Developing A Trail System 108 Ecosystem Services 116 Building Resilient Communities 118 Climate Change Report 2011 120 Overlaps with Northfield’s Open Space Plan 121
Endorsements 123
Bibliography 128
ACkNowLEdgEmENTS
I would like to thank a number of individuals who contributed myriad hours of advice, guidance and information. Their help kept my vision alive.
many thanks to the community leaders who attended the stakeholder meetings, PVRS students who provided invaluable ideas and motivation, the four towns in the district, Bernardston, Leyden, Northfield and warwick, the massachusetts department of Recreations and Conservation, the massachusetts department of Fish and wildlife, the Northfield open Space Committee, the greater Northfield watershed Association, Silvio Conte Fish and wildlife Refuge, and the PVRS staff.
I am most grateful to Christine Johnston as editor, mentor, fellow teacher and friend; Bill Lattrell, ecologist, friend and mentor; and Peter monro, Landscape Architect, mentor and fellow Conway alumnus.
most of all, I have the deepest gratitude to my wife and lifelong partner, Carolyn, who has spent countless hours offering support and guidance in the most unique ways.
6 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Forward 7
forward
when I became principal of Pioneer Valley Regional School in 2007, John Lepore and I began a conversation about what sustainability means in a public secondary school. It is a word that has
been part of the Pioneer mission for many years, but it has had varying degrees of impact on our actions.
while we enjoyed our discussions, John is also a man of action. During my first year, John helped found a composting and recycling effort that has reduced our waste stream by 85%. He used this waste as a project in his classrooms by examining what we were sending to landfill. He also used the natural habitat around the school as his classroom by taking his students into the wetlands to conduct primary watershed research.
John and I share some fundamental beliefs about learning and education. we agree that the most meaningful learning is constructed by the learner, rather than imparted by the “sage on the stage.” we also share a deep concern about the future of our environment and of our youth. Three years ago John retired from teaching and moved on to pursue a degree in ecological landscape design. during that time, we continued to talk about the central issues of sustainability, resilience, stewardship and the challenges of changing our relationship to the world around us.
when he completed his rigorous graduate program, John approached me with a proposal – that we develop a land management plan for Pioneer based on the principles of stewardship, sustainability and resilience with the goal of supporting Pioneer’s educational mission. Coincidentally, the school was in the process of reviewing and revising its mission statement into a statement of core values and learning expectations. In it stewardship and sustainability continued
to be central. In fact, one of our learning expectations reads: “Build environmental stewardship as a means to a sustainable future.” It seemed like a natural fit that we would put these words into action. over the last two years John has shepherded this idea through a rigorous process. He has read and researched deeply into the core concepts of this document: sustainability, resilience and stewardship. He has researched the history of the land and environment around the school site. He has engaged the stakeholders including students, families, staff, the school committee, the community, as well as numerous public and private agencies in the area that have an interest in this effort. His is a plan designed to meet the needs of the entire community, while at the same time rousing/spurring us to action to change our practices and habits so that we can preserve opportunities for future generations of Pioneer students.
Through John’s expertise and hard work, we now have a blueprint for the future to preserve and maintain the land and facilities at Pioneer while enhancing student (and adult) learning. whether one believes we are on the precipice of a new environmental age or just continuing down the same road we humans have traveled for millennia, it is time for us to rethink and reorganize our human/environmental interconnectedness. we need a language and a framework for living in a world of expanding need and limited resources. The core concepts of sustainability, resilience and stewardship can guide us in the right direction and give us hope for the future. This document is a practical application of this hope. It gives us concrete and meaningful steps we can take to move towards a more sustainable future.
It is without reservation that I endorse the Pioneering Stewardship Plan.
william wehrli, Principal march 4, 2012
“whEthEr onE bEliEvEs wE arE on thE prEcipicE of a new environMental age or Just continuing down thE samE road wE humans havE travElEd for millEnnia, it is timE for us to rEthink and rEorganizE our human/EnvironmEntal intErconnEctEdnEss. wE nEEd a languagE and a framEwork for living in a world of Expanding nEEd and limitEd rEsourcEs. thE corE concEpts of sustainability, rEsiliEncE and stEwardship can guidE us in thE right dirEction and givE us hopE for thE futurE.”
william wEhrli, principal
Executive Summary 9 8 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design
exeCutive Summary
The major goal of the Pioneering Stewardship Plan (PSP) is to provide opportunities for students to become immersed in environmental stewardship while employing ecologically sustainable
management of the school’s highly diverse landscape. The PSP must complement existing programs and offerings; outside funding and a sustainability coordinator would ensure successful implementation. To address community interests and to gather valuable input, several stakeholder meetings were held with students, teachers, and community members in order to achieve the following:
k Establish objectives and specific actions; and
k Identify key ecological concerns and identify potential open-air destinations and features.
To better understand site conditions, a number of professionals and state agencies acted as resources, state-of-the-art scientific references provided up-to-date information, and extensive site analyses provided the key information listed below:
k Pioneer Valley Regional School has the largest public school land holding in massachusetts;
k PVRS borders highly-valued Biomap2 Core Habitats and Critical Natural Landscapes;
k Ecosystem services perform functions at little expense but are threatened by a lack sustainable management;
k Clean drinking water is dependent on land use activities since the soil quickly drains surface water vertically into a regional aquifer;
k Highly permeable soils allow the accumulation of organic debris in certain forests while fire suppression increases the risk of uncontrollable conditions;
k Excessive runoff from impervious surfaces drains directly into important habitats;
k Exotic invasive plants have taken advantage of the site’s landscape and threaten biodiversity as well as the future of ecosystem services;
k The school contains several “priority habitats” in need of protection and management to improve resilience during climate change;
k much of the land is unprotected from sale and subdivision;
k Refuge and a “sense of place” in Nature have become less and less available in the recent past;
k Land donated on the west side of property lacks clear boundaries for neighbors who continue to use it;
k Access and circulation around the school is safe and efficient; several trails cut across contour lines and into ecologically sensitive areas, causing damaging erosion;
k Nine engaging destinations and features fit within the framework of sustainability and ecologic functionality;
k Sustainable land use practices would recapture ecological health and become an educational model; and
k Three designs offer a number of options in addressing the plans goals and actions.
The PSP details the rationale behind these important efforts throughout the core of the plan while the Appendix provides valuable management strategies. meeting the program goals will involve commitment and involvement by concerned and informed citizens. By being prudent now, we can preserve the beauty and viability of our local environment and a stewardship-centered educational setting.
“If I had Influence wIth the good faIry who Is supposed to presIde over the chrIstenIng of all chIldren I should ask that her gIft to each chIld In the world be a sense of wonder so IndestructIble that It would last throughout lIfe, as an unfaIlIng antIdote agaInst the boredom and dIsenchantments of later years, the sterIle preoccupatIon wIth thIngs artIfIcIal, the alIenatIon from the sources of our strength.”
― rachel carson, thE sEnsE of wondEr
Preface 11 10 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design
PrefaCe
The first time I explored the Pioneer landscape, from wetland to mature pine forest to the giant oaks overlooking the school and Connecticut Valley, I recognized it as a treasure on a later
outdoor classroom adventure, students and I trekked to the flat area just below the site’s high point where I introduced the fact that glacial Lake Hitchcock covered all the school grounds except this higher ground where we stood This area’s 10,000 year history is truly amazing and deserves our investigation and understanding.
Nature as a classroom has been essential and exciting.For example, one insightful seventh grader asked if this could have been a native American campsite. why not! The southeast facing site had tremendous refuge and strong appeal. Such interest in open-air experiences fueled many educational insights all over the property. we learned more about its natural history, where to find a particular plant or bird, what the soils underfoot revealed about the history and where to avoid the poison ivy! In short, it became our classroom. more importantly, it forged a bond with Nature for many youngsters.
In 2000-1, I realized the clock was ticking on my tenure at PVRS. I felt a deep obligation to the “silent stakeholders,” all the plants and animals that make a home here. who would protect their future? In a moment of insight, I introduced the idea of environmental stewardship to my colleagues. To my surprise, it became a part of the school’s mission statement’s Core Values. Twelve years later, the PVRS Core Values remains posted in every classroom along with a powerful list of other important expectations. Unfortunately, however, the expectation “stewardship” has become relegated to classroom study.
my goal in this document is to advance our relationship with the environment and to move it to the forefront of teaching and learning. Educators have a moral obligation to help young people respect and value Nature. given the diversity of Pioneer’s landscape and opportunities to create engaging open-air destinations, we are in a very unique position to foster environmental stewardship through all disciplines and serve as a model for other school systems.
The Pioneering Stewardship Plan (PSP) explores many previously unknown and/or undocumented events, while connecting them in a very unique fashion. It serves as a comprehensive analysis covering context, history, geology, etc., while making connections among the various players in its systems, including biophysical, social, and economic affects. The PSP contains many useful resources for students, teachers, landscape personnel and others. I have included appendices covering trail design, plants and animals at risk, and much more. Ultimately, this plan encourages its users to better understand and apply life-long environmental stewardship.
Call it a legacy or an obsession, the passion to create the “Pioneering Stewardship Plan” emerged from a love for a land that has touched thousands of student’s lives. It shaped them into the adults they are today, many of whom still stay in regular contact and openly express how our outdoor experiences shaped their adult lives. may the PSP play an active role in shaping a renewed direction in environmental stewardship.
John Lepore Restoration Ecologist & designer July 15, 2013
If people lose knowledge, sympathy and understandIng of the natural world, they’re goIng to mIstreat It and wIll not ask theIr polItIcIans to care for It.”
― DaviD attenborough
12 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Introduction 13
The PSP encourages teachers, administrators, and school committee members to make informed decisions regarding sustaining the PVRS environment. adaptive management challenges us to be students of ongoing experimentation, seeking balances, identifying specific goals and adjusting strategies as needed (walker, 2012). (Please refer to Appendix: Building Resilient Communities.) The PSP provides professionals who hope to influence positive change a powerful toolbox for the classroom. It works into any curriculum. Teachers and students may find specific portions helpful in actively
engaging in “essential next steps” such as verifying rare, endangered, threatened and declining species on the Pioneer campus. Grant writers will find it an invaluable resource; it contains a list of potential inspirations and designs. People working with the land directly (foresters, landscape professionals, for example) can use the specific documentation herein saving hours and even days of effort that often stall positive forward movement. Ultimately, to make this plan a success, a stewardship coordinator will be necessary to assist teachers with innovative curriculum integration, facilitation of grant writing, and educating landscaping crews in utilizing “best practices.”
Ultimately, two beneficiaries will evolve from the PSP; students will gain a clear understanding of how environmental stewardship fits into their life-long learning, and Pioneer’s fresh air, clean water, and vibrant forests will attain a healthier balance.
Athletics play a huge role in student life at Pioneer. As maintenance costs continue to spiral upward, low impact strategies offer savings and improved resilience to climate change.
Inset: What Is BIoMap?BioMap2 is designed to guide strategic biodiversity conservation in Massachusetts over the next decade by focusing land protection and stewardship on the areas that are most critical for ensuring the long-term persistence of rare and other native species and their habitats, exemplary natural communities, and a diversity of ecosystems.
The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) and The Nature Conservancy’s Massachusetts Program developed BioMap2 to protect the state’s biodiversity in the context of projected effects of climate change. It incorporates concepts of ecosystem resilience to address the anticipated impact of climate change. Protection and stewardship of BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape is essential to safeguard the diversity of species and their habitats, intact ecosystems, and resilient natural landscapes across Massachusetts. It includes:
• Habitats for rare, vulnerable, or uncommon mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, invertebrate, and plant species;• Priority Natural Communities;• High-quality wetland, vernal pool, aquatic, and coastal habitats; and• Intact forest ecosystems.
Excerpted from BioMap2 Executive Summary
introduCtion
Since the 1700’s, regional people have benefited from our generous landscape; it continually provides healthy food, clean water and robust shelters. Today, unprecedented disturbances
affect this natural asset causing unpredictable changes.
Land management has been defined socially by appearance, while, like a forgotten child, neglecting essential ecological functionality. without this, undesirable, and irreversible social and economic change will continue (diamond, 2007).
The Pioneering Stewardship Plan (PSP) revitalizes a respect for Pioneer Valley Regional School’s unique and rich landscape and uses it as a tool practicing environmental stewardship, a Core Value. Its primary purpose focuses on educating young people through restoration and creation of a healthy environment on the PVRS campus. It connects students to their locale through direct, open-air experiences.
Introduced as a PVRS Core Value during the New England Accreditation of Schools and Colleges 2000-2001 self-evaluation, stewardship’s place persists (NEAS&C, 2012). In the early part of this decade, implementation initially focused on reduction practices through composting and recycling. The next logical step moves this value to a higher, more robust definition - resilient practice. This practice enables us to discover how our use and management decisions travel beyond the property lines, even beyond our region (mcHarg, 1992).
Consider the innocent introduction of low maintenance
exotic ornamentals (i.e., burning bush) around the campus decades ago. Today these ‘invasives’ have become aggressive intruders jeopardizing indigenous growth. Several aggressive species originating at PVRS have spread into neighboring properties suppressing and eliminating native plants and animals.
other decisions have had even larger consequences. For example, the school’s
water management decision made sixty years ago negatively affects other regions. Today, over 9,000,000 gallons of heated and contaminated water run off the school’s impervious surfaces into the home of Natural Heritage Endangered Species at Bennett meadows, a Biomap2 Critical Landscape (Biomap2, 2010). Such practices impact water quality down the Connecticut River to Long Island Sound. Today, our global environmental quality continues to decline at an alarming rate with uncertain consequences (mEEoE, 2011). In the name of progress air, water and soil quality standards have deteriorated. The PSP extends the meaning of stewardship as a way to make our lives healthier by investing in natural and social capital, globally recognized ingredients in sustainable economic growth (TEEB, 2012). more than ever, site development needs to consider the effects of short and long term disturbances, such as climate change, while making serious efforts at remediation and restoration of past practices (Suarer, 1996).The Pioneer Nature Trail was visited by the sender town’s elementary schools, maintained by the
students, and provided numerous stewardship opportunities. (Greenfield Recorder, May 1974)
during the last 10 years, the school, through a deep commitment by students, has developed a recycling and composing program, reducing the waste stream by 75%.
once used as a low maintenance highway planting, autumn olive has invaded many disturbed areas at Pioneer.
14 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Goals 15
Open Air Education & Recreation
Susta
inable Land Use Practices Pioneer Stewardship Plan
GOALS & ACTIONS
Foster Thriving
Biodiversity
Localize Food Security
Incorporate Engaging
Destinations
Raise Runoff Water Quality
Through the community process described in the next chapter, two major goals evolved for the Pioneering Stewardship Plan (PSP):
k Identify open-air educational and recreational opportunities; and
k Develop sustainable land use practices.
To address these two goals, the Pioneering Stewardship Plan (PSP) recommends the following:
k Involve students in Pioneer’s landscape management to instill environmental stewardship through a wide variety of activities including local food production education, engaging open space destinations, ongoing habitat assessment to identify the school’s biodiversity and a community service component including managing the landscape over a period of time;
k Create ways to mitigate excessive water runoff via rain gardens near drains, reduction in mowing in prescribed areas, rain ‘catchment’ from rooftops and redirecting trails more appropriately; and
k Increase natural biodiversity through a realistic plan that assesses exotic invasive plant management priorities, protection of priority habitats, and a forest management plan that considers the variety of needs for each habitat.
Specific actions identified in meeting these goals include the following:
k Incorporating educational destinations;
k Raising water runoff quality;
k Fostering a thriving biodiversity; and
k Localizing food security education.
Core Values
The PSP supports three PVRS Core Values (PVRS website, 2012):
CIVIC expeCtatIon
k “Build environmental stewardship as a means to a sustainable future identified by PVRS.”
lIfelong learnIng & Career expeCtatIons
k “obtain and interpret available health information and services to make health and safety decisions;” and
k “Evaluate changing roles, job responsibilities and priorities in complex 21st century life and work environments.”
The PSP emphasizes the development of l i felong understanding for environmental stewardship through direct experiences with on-site management, interdisciplinary learning activit ies and recreational experiences. Such opportunities lend themselves to healthier l i festyles and informed decision-making related to the environment and the quality of students’ future l ives. By having direct contact with their surroundings, students develop values for their natural community.
meeting professionals related to the project’s implementation and management may open doors to careers such as forestry, landscape architecture and sustainable landscape development. others may find part-t ime employment helping to manage the landscape through jobs l ike cord wood production, mushroom cultivation, berry and fruit harvesting and more (donohue, 1995). making wise use of Pioneer ’s rich landscape creates endless possibil i t ies!
“Last Child in the woods” explores “what the author coins as “nature deficit disorder” since a large proportion of today’s youth spend little time exploring nature in open-ended settings.
goalS
16 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Community Process 17
be prohibitive. members had little time to provide additional ideas but supported the plan’s direction.
The most desirable design features from each meeting were combined and further refined. The resultant focus became ‘Resilience.’ This design prompted the need for more detailed site assessment. The massachusetts department of
Conservation and Recreation (dCR) made a site assessment along with two independent ecologists, one being a certified wetland scientist. Each provided invaluable site management input, further enriching the latest design. Two property tours gave community members the opportunity to envision the proposed design features. A total of fourteen people attended including members from the greater Northfield watershed Association and the Northfield Conservation Commission. Additionally, a certified landscape architect (monro, 2012) reviewed the site’s preferred design, walked the entire site and made additional helpful recommendations.
In April, the project was displayed at Northfield mount Hermon’s ‘First Farmers Teach-in’ where more than 300 people learned about Pioneer’s endeavors.
faCulty and staff
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Pioneer faculty reviewed the preferred design in may. All departments responded to specific areas they could
At public meetings, community members generated a wide range of valued ideas through an active processes.
incorporate into existing curricula. overall, the faculty expressed a desire for additional outdoor classrooms, loved the idea of pollinator habitat and distinct destinations to engage students. They considered a trail system with kiosks, pollinator habitats and a confidence ropes course as invaluable teaching tools. Although concerns over management and cost emerged, the faculty provided very positive support for the potential opportunities the plan could offer students in their existing curricula.
agenCIes and other professIonals
during the summer months of 2012, further site assessments were conducted with dCR and the massachusetts division of Fish and wildlife (dFw) who manage the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program (NHESP). with their support, specific management zones were identified; these became known as ‘habitat and destination areas.’ Potential rare, endangered, threatened and declining population species were also identified. Finally, they offered important habitat management suggestions including site restoration, safety and legal considerations. Numerous professionals and community stakeholders have provided invaluable input into this endeavor. Both human use and habitat needs repeatedly surface as concerns. many site visits revealed important details previously unknown to anyone and outstanding site opportunities became evident. Preferred design details, influenced by a wide range of inputs and perspectives, reflect a new understanding of this vibrant and diverse landscape.
Please refer to “Appendix: Community Input” for additional information on priorities.
Community ProCeSS
BegInnIngs
An essential ingredient for landscape stewardship should involve stakeholders from a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds (walker, 2012). To date, numerous interactions with school administrators, teachers, students, maintenance personnel and community members have occurred. Ecologists, a wetland scientist, a sustainable landscape architect, local land trust administrators, and numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations have already visited the PVRS site and offered supportive recommendations. over 200 individuals provided input during the development of the project’s goals and design features. Further communication by direct email, phone calls, and meetings with organizations like the mount grace Land Trust, the Northfield open Space and Recreation Committee, and the Silvio
Conte US Fish and wildlife Center have been productive. The PVRS Building and grounds Subcommittee strongly supported and approved this pro bono project at their September 2011 meeting.
The project’s first publicized community meeting drew about 24 people in early december 2011. Initial goals with existing conditions kicked off an active discussion within small groups. Participants defined the initial project innovations. meeting results were summarized in a bulletin that was distributed to every student’s household in the January Principal’s Newsletter, posted on the school’s website and emailed to numerous community members.
student Input In January 2012, PVRS juniors and seniors viewed two possible project designs in a class assembly. The designs purposely presented two opposing ideas: “Stewardship” emphasized the area directly around the building and also the effects of water runoff. “open-Air,” the second design, created destinations throughout the property such as a wetland viewing platform, a high point viewscape and a photovoltaic array on the northeast end of the property. during their next weekly advisor/advisee meeting, pairs of students reviewed printouts of each design including their pros and cons. one hundred fourteen students discussed their ideas, priorities, and concerns before completing input sheets either individually or in pairs. Their interests showed a high priority for a confidence/ leadership ropes course along with trails, rain gardens, distinct destinations, photovoltaics, and permaculture gardens. Ideas for an outdoor classroom came from the students themselves!
Later that same month a similar process was held for the community with about 25 attendees. People felt strongly about similar features but emphasized the need for a pollinator habitat and stronger invasive plant management. Concerns over black-legged ticks, the primary vector in transmitting Lyme disease, took precedence over having pollinator habitats, however.
In February, the Building and grounds Subcommittee learned how the students and community felt about the two designs. They, too, felt the cost and management for the plan might
Principal Bill wehrli,on right, was actively involved in supporting the community input process.
Ideas from students and interested community member were gathered and included in project planning.
18 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Context 19
NORTHFIELD
GILL
BERNARDSTON
LegendConnecticut River
PVRS
Core Habitat
Critical Natural Landscape
Major Roads
Railroad ¯0 1 20.5Miles
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Northfield is located in a very rural area of Massachusetts, where open space continues to be a high priority. (CT River watershed Source: USgS)
Pioneer Valley Regional School (PVRS) is surrounded by Biomap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, open space, and wetlands making it home for many plants and animals critical to the resiliency under the uncertain effects of climate change.
PVRS is about 65% forested. one of the wetlands is a potential vernal pool, while other site qualities might be homes to several rare and endangered species.
Northfield CT River watershed CT River
N
In Northfield, MA, just a few miles from the Vermont and New Hampshire borders, the Pioneer Valley Regional School sits to the west of the Connecticut River in the Pioneer Valley. Bernardston, Leyden,
Warwick and Northfield comprise the school district, and since the early 1980’s, many students from Vernon, VT, have paid tuition to attend PVRS. Because the school system has maintained a positive status in the county as a prime “school choice” institution, students often apply for enrollment from out-of-district schools. The result has been a stable population at PVRS.
a VIsIon for thIs landsCapeAlthough the school’s ninety-acre property has not received the status of protection in perpetuity, it is surrounded by protected open space. Northfield has a long history of maintaining its “rural feel” and continues to plan ways to foster this with the 2012 open Space and Recreation Plan (oSRP). Although PVRS was previously overlooked in the 2005 oSRP, the Pioneering Stewardship Plan (PSP) has received acknowledgement and is strongly supported by the present oSRP committee. It reflects many of the interests and goals of the new oSRP by emphasizing practical strategies for engaging students in environmental stewardship of the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the town while supporting the impacts of land use and development, the economic viability of agriculture, and an informed process of forest management. A trail system with kiosks, natural monitoring stations, interpretive signs and handicap accessibility remain high priorities with community members, teachers and students. outdoor classrooms made from site-sourced materials and living green roofs would bring students to natural areas for learning, recreational activities and a confidence-building ropes course.
Context
The PSP also incorporates leadership for resilient and sustainable land use into the educational process. Since many of the school’s graduates choose to settle in this area, a solid education in sustaining the environment will foster their becoming active supporters of future oSRP efforts.
The school’s acreage can be divided into three major areas: the west side consists of 38 acres of various forest types and wetlands; the middle 35 acres includes athletic fields, roadways, parking and building infrastructure; and the east side of mixed forest and pasture pine includes about 16 acres.
a supportIVe CoMMunItyThe PSP also aims to improve water quality runoff and to make serious efforts in addressing the future of quality drinking water. These values are also a high priority in the 2012 oSRP. The former will be accomplished by the addition of pollinator habitats that reduce runoff and encourage infiltration. Rain gardens and roof water catchment will redirect heated and contaminated drainage away from Biomap 2 Critical Landscape where the school presently drains about 9,000,000 gallons per year. To attain these management changes, the school has worked with Umass Environmental Conservation department, massachusetts division of Fish and wildlife’s Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program (NHESP), the massachusetts department of Conservation and Recreation, the greater Northfield watershed Association, the Northfield Conservation Commission and Silvio Conte US Fish and wildlife, numerous ecologists and conservationists and the mt. grace Land Trust.
Bennett meadows, the site of about half of PVRS runoff, has been designated as Core Habitat in Biomap2.
The mainly forested PVRS landscape has an interesting and engaging history beginning after the last glacier created Lake Hitchcock 10,000 years ago. Pioneer rests near the lake’s edge
beside an island to the west of the soccer fields. From its recent geologic formation to its more than two hundred years as productive farmland, today’s landscape reflects many influences by a wide range of human-related activities (Little, 1984).
The most recent Ice Age greatly impacted the land’s topography and soil conditions. The glacier dropped well-drained soils (USdA, 1961) making hay and fruit farming possible by Pioneer’s previous owners, Horace and dorothy Bolton. during the family’s early ownership, most of the flatter areas were clear-cut, some areas were fenced for livestock grazing and other areas became apple orchards. The Bolton family farmed this land for three generations until 1953 when it was sold to PVRS (Franklin County Registry of deeds, 1954).
a
solId agrICultural pastThe range of uses by local farm families can still be seen today across the landscape:
k Barbed wire found imbedded in trees at two different locations suggests that it was pasture land where livestock once grazed;
k A “wolf tree” with low hanging branches indicates a cleared pasture where this tree was left standing for shade during hot summer days;
k Large oak stumps near the east base of the property’s high point with the logs remaining close by may have been a cleared viewscape;
k Pine trees typically germinate in taller grass edges of declining pasture. These cover a large portion of the east and west woods;
k A loading dock on the east side near the former Bernardston Road surrounded by an array of aged, low-limbed oaks and maples suggests use by a truck farming operation in the early part of the 20th century; and
k A foundation from the early 1700’s exists along the south boundary indicates a former homestead.
Barbed wire from the late 1800’s embedded in a maple tree suggests livestock grazing.
Two major stands of ‘pasture pines’ have established in pasture during the last 70 to 100 years. Historic records from the 1930’s indicate hay and apples were grown.
A cement footing likely made at the beginning of the 20th century when an apple orchard existed on the parcel.
20 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design History 21
hiStory
Horizontal Scale - Feet
0’ 200’100’ 300’
Ver
tical
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le -
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150’
100’
50’
0’
Route 142
Railroad
OldBernardston
Road
PVRS BuildingAthletic FieldsHigh Point
Low Point
A’A
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0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
A
A’
Pioneer Valley Regional School’s diverse landscape includes a huge range of elevation. The dashed line with the A and A’ shows the location of the cross section below.
From High to Low Points the elevation changes about 200’ to the east. This quality shows why water movement to the eastward direction plays such a important role in the site’s ecology and management practices.
An air photo from 1972 looking northward, reveals how the 15 year old school parcel was much more open. Note the three athletic areas, small trees to the east (left) and the number of un-mowed areas along the field edges.
A recent PVRS air photo shows gradual changes in vegetation, especially along the field edges, while imperious services, such as parking lots and rooftop have almost tripled.
the BIrth of pIoneer Valley regIonal sChool After many years of effort led by then Superintendent of Schools, F. Sumner Turner, Pioneer Valley Regional School opened in 1957, inadvertently resulting in many significant alterations to the landscape. Until the mid-1970s when the Franklin County Technical School opened its doors, Pioneer’s program included vocational agriculture, perhaps explaining why the campus is far larger than any non-vocational public high school in massachusetts. Remnant rows of spruce trees still flourish on the southeast corner of the property, possibly grown by the school for Christmas tree sales. Soil pits dug in a two hundred foot long series of furrows along rows of red pine and European larch reveal the removal of rich topsoil for
use in other areas of the land. An excavation pit also exists near the path to the biology pond. In other words, the natural landscape of the property was altered to accommodate the needs of the school.
In the 1960’s a greater effort to make educational use of Pioneer’s landscape reaped positive results. A biology pond was dug in the early 1960’s with a grant from the National defense Fund. Later, nature trails covered the campus and became an attraction for the district’s elementary schools. Classes of students identified and labeled trees while using the biology pond and nature trails for research and enjoyment. Northfield Sand and Gravel, later known as Lane Construction, created the track in exchange for gravel procured at the site; this track continues to be used to this day.
agIng InfrastruCtureUnfortunately Proposition 2 1/2 created a property tax cap, which limited the school’s primary source of revenue necessary for improvements to the landscape and the school itself. By the late 1980’s, unfunded capitol improvements became serious issues. The wellhead collapsed from lack of routine maintenance, the roof began to leak, pipes embedded in the concrete floors began to leak, and the boiler became more and more unreliable. Landscape maintenance fell to two people with a ‘loaner’ mowing tractor. Trails became overgrown, except for those maintained by the athletic department for cross-country purposes and a bond covering minimal improvements included some leveling and expansion of the athletic field into the oak forest to the west.
the BuIldIng projeCtUndersized for current educational needs, the school underwent a major renovation in 2000-1 that doubled the school’s square footage, brought the best in technology to the school, and afforded teachers renewed opportunities to advance student learning. However, the new building’s design overlooked the opportunity to continue a long history that linked students to the unique landscape at PVRS. The cafeteria, for example, lacks direct access to an outside play area, and the refuge of a patio off the library disappeared.
Two other negative effects on the Pioneer landscape because of the new construction deserve attention. Topsoil removed from the building site has never been replaced (Shearer, Personal Conversation, 2012), and a type of low-maintenance exotic plant, now an illegal invasive, covers many areas of the landscape.
landsCape Changes: drIVers & trendsBy using our knowledge and understanding of how the Pioneer landscape developed over the years, we can form a more resilient landscape. many actions led to the existing conditions, some occurring quickly and others over time and becoming almost imperceptible. An historic profile helps reveal these drivers and trends.
what are drivers? drivers cause change in controlling variables. For example, clearing vegetation influences the depth of ground water. Such a disturbance is considered a biophysical driver, since it involves plants, animals, soils and water. Reduction in capital expenditures due to tax reduction mandates is an economic driver. And, finally, state mandated standardized testing as a graduation requirement is a social driver since expecting students to prepare for pencil/paper tests detracts from open-air interdisciplinary curricula enrichment. These three drivers
“...the new building’s design overlooked the opportunity to continue a long history that linked students to the unique landscape at PVRS. The cafeteria, for example, lacks access to the outside, and the refuge of a patio off the library disappeared.”
Burning Bush, promoted by nurseries as a low maintenance ornamental, was planted in front of the school’s entrance. Today, its aggressive reproduction has spread it across the area’s landscape, displacing native vegetation needed to support ecological resilience during climate change.
22 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design History 23
1965 1970’s 1980’s
Lunchtime Outdoor Play Area
Red Pine Forest Biology Pond
Nature Trail
Limit on Assessment Increases
10,000Years Ago
shapIng a landsCape: -10,000 to 1980’s
Symbol Influence
Biophysical
Social
Economic
Erosion gully from infrastructure hydrology manifests & is restored
1700’s 1800’s 1900’s 1957
Farm foundation constructed
Today’s pine forests once active hay fields & pasture
King Phillip boundary marked
Today’s wolf tree indicates farm field Old Bernardston Road
re-routed
Rendering reveals exciting future
Refuge & prospect outside cafeteria realized
Red pine planted after top soil removal
Construction of Biology Pond focuses on outdoors
Nature trails draw community
Old Pump House fails
Property limittax increasesbut limits upkeep
Time line NTS
directly or indirectly affect what we see occurring on the landscape today (walker, 2012).
BIophysICal, soCIal and eConoMIC InfluenCes: the Irony of sMall deCIsIons
on a time line, drivers (biophysical, social and economic) reveal ecological trends. For example, water management runoff from the building’s impervious surfaces onto the east side created a gully over a twenty-year period (Greenfield Recorder, 1974). This led to excessive topsoil loss into the wetland habitat below, reducing water quality (biophysical) and demanding costly remediation (economic). Such trends verify the need to make changes across systems.
decisions that we make are often blind to their effects on Nature.
Please refer to “Appendix: Historic Details” for additional information.
Glacial Lake Hitchcock deposits soils
drIVers
1965 1970’s 1980’s
24 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design History 25
i
j
hg
f
Feet
0 250 500
Na
i
j
h
g
f
e
d
d c
b
a e
d
c
b
2005 2008 2011-12
Highly invasive burning bush added
New maintenance practices remove forest-lawn transitions
Students commit to Source to Sea Cleanup
School wide composting and recycling fully supported
Enrollment climbs from school choice
Land donated to school
Highly invasive stiltgrass discovered on snow mobile trail
shapIng a landsCape: 1990’s to today
1999-2001
Vernon chooses to send tuition students to PVRS
Underground forest fire ladders up trees
State learning standards initiated
Students initiate environmental action team
Envirothon begins competing statewide
PVRS building project doubles school’s footprint
Burning Bush introduced
Meadows removed - wildlife disappears
Annual Source-to-Sea cleanup begins
Full commitment to recycling & composting begins
School choice increases
Additional 4.5 acres added
Community effort at invasive plant eradication begins
Environmental ethic added to school’s mission
Lunchtime access to outside limited
Time line NTS
Introduced in 2000 as low maintenance hedges, burning bush has spread into much of the campus woodlands, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Symbol Influence
Biophysical
Social
Economic
drIVers
1980’s 1990’s 2005 2008 2011-12
26 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design History 27
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0 250 500
N
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stretching into neighboring Bernardston and protecting the area’s watershed. To the north of the school lie two active gravel quarries. Concerns about the management of one quarry have surfaced, and area citizens have challenged
the legality of some of their practices. Fears of aquifer contamination also remain unresolved (Tufts, 2011). To date, the legal costs to challenge this quarry’s questionable past practices remain formidable for Northfield. Let us build on the positives and help to resolve the negatives!
The existing cross country trail bridge needs replacement or, better yet, rerouting. Additionally, it traverses land just above Biomap2 Critical Natural Landscape resulting in heavy erosion along its steep banks.
Unregulated access by ATV’s has caused heavy damage to a valuable spring on the west side and was the likely source of the highly invasive Japanese stiltgrass discovered in 2010 on school property.
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Inset: Adopt-A-HAbItAt The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (The Refuge), Adopt-a-Habitat initiative is an opportunity for schools, organizations and groups to partner with the Refuge to manage local habitats. It involves choosing an outdoor place, assembling volunteers, and as partners, fostering healthy habitat for plants, animals, and people. Basic techniques, strategies, and opportunities to influence the environment through strategic land management actions to promote healthy habitat and quality outdoor recreation will be learned along the way.
The Refuge is able to help schools, organizations, and groups with technical assistance, grant writing, and resources to accomplish Adopt-a-Habitat objectives. Refuge staff can help with:
k Habitat assessment;
k Land, water, and public access management plans;
k Curriculum integration; and
k Applying for funding, and other technical assistance.
Schools interested in the Adopt-a-Habitat program or who want more detailed information about the program should contact: Artie McCollum, Silvio O. Conte Refuge, Private Lands Biologist, at 413-548-8002 x119.
Excerpted from Silvio Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Literature
Pioneer’s 90 acres includes valuable, protected open space, but the school’s property remains open to subdivision and sale. In the near future, a logical step would be to market the development rights to
an interested conservation organization or to donate the land to the Northfield Conservation Commission to protect it in perpetuity. Selling these rights might, in fact, provide
financial resources to support Pioneer’s sustainable land management practices. Such a move could also make the school much more eligible for numerous types of grants (Rasku, 2012).
People in this area of western massachusetts support significant conservation efforts. For example, neighbors have a long-standing arrangement with Pioneer to share
At least three spring seeps offer habitat for rare and threatened species and should be appropriately managed and inventoried.
area wetlands, ponds, and trails. The neighborhood also possesses valuable assets that complement the school. For example, a local private conservationist established the Annie wheeler Ravine Conservation Area within easy
walking distance of the school and with a positive history of encouraging its use. The site contains an historic view of the devastation caused from the 1938 hurricane. we need to include these types of neighbors in our plans.
To the north, south, east and west of the PVRS property are other notable situations, some positive and others negative! At the end of old Bernardston Road, for example, a trail to king Phillips Hill honors our close connection to the rich history we share with the Connecticut River. To the west lies dCR’s 5,000 acres of forest land,
A family of foxes inhabits the east ravine, evidence that they find living in close proximity to PVRS beneficial.
“Pioneer’s 90 acres include valuable, protected open space, but the school’s property remains open to subdivision and sale. In the near future, a logical step would be to market the development rights to an interested conservation organization or to donate the land to the Northfield Conservation Commission to protect it in perpetuity.”
Neighbor’s use of a shallow well raises concerns about property boundaries that should be resolved. Here a pipe heater installed by a neighbor keeps water from freezing.
Existing Conditions 29 28 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design
exiSting ConditionS
aCCess & CIrCulatIon
land use
VegetatIon &CoVer
topography &draInage
surfICIalgeology
soIls
Water resourCes
“pErhaps a crEaturE of so much ingEnuity and dEEp mEmory is almost bound to grow aliEnatEd froM his world, his fellows, and the obJects around him. hE suffErs from a nostalgia for which thErE is no rEmEdy upon Earth ExcEpt as it is to bE found in thE EnlightEnmEnt of thE spirit--somE ability to havE a pErcEptivE rathEr than an ExploitivE rElationship with his fEllow crEaturEs.”
lorEn EisElEy
30 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis Overview 31
Site analySiS overview
Water resourCes
Sources: massgIS & dEP
Pioneer Valley Regional School resides in the Connecticut River watershed. Pertinent information includes the following:
k It is the largest river ecosystem in New England with a maximum length of approximately 280 miles and a maximum width of about 60 miles;
k Its total drainage area is approximately 11,250 square miles;
k It spans four states, including Vermont, New Hampshire, massachusetts, and Connecticut; and
k Protective forestland maintains the long-term integrity of wildlife habitats and water quality within the watershed’s surface and groundwater.
(NoSRP, 2005)
pertInent faCts
k A deep aquifer just outside the northeast boundary feeds the school’s well and receives recharge water from a wetland to the west;
k In the recent past, land use practices by a neighboring business over the aquifer have threatened water quality;
k The well head protection zone 2 (wPZ 2) extends 368 feet from the well in all directions reaching the school’s west boundary and into the south student parking lot;
k The well head protection zone 1 (wPZ 1) legally limits the types of activities that can occur including fertilizer application, herbicide use, and construction of “permanent” structures for a radius of 140 feet from the wellhead; and
k The state’s regulating agency, the massachusetts department of Environment Quality (dEQ), allows passive recreation use such as trails and an outdoor classroom. They must be informed of any planned changes in use.
(Sarafinas, MDEQ, 2012)
IMplICatIons
k The parking lot within wPZ 2 needs a sign informing the public;
k All future activities, such as gardening, must occur outside of the wPZ 1; and
k Routine efforts should be made by the school to monitor neighborhood activities around the wetland including the following: mowing, excavation, water use, and anything else that might jeopardize water quality and violate wetland regulations.
Imperious surfaces, such as rooftops, pavement, and walkways, impact water resources in numerous ways.
2
32 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: Water Resources 33
Site analySiS: Water Resources
HitchcockIsland Forest
surfICIal geology
The last glacier, ending about 20,000 years ago, impacted the features we experience today, not just the landforms left behind, but the soils that determine vegetation as well. Several
important conditions include the following facts:
pertInent faCts
k As the glacier retreated, it left mostly coarse till on the upper areas and finer material in lower regions;
k The two hundred mile long glacial Lake Hitchcock formed about 18,000 years ago filling the Connecticut Valley Basin;
k only a portion of the PVRS property stood above water as an island during this time; and
k Today, the name Hitchcock Island Forest honors this ancient island.
(Little,1984)
IMplICatIons
k Course glacial tills enable rapid drainage and well recharge and dry conditions on Hitchcock Island Forest (HIF), the site’s high point; and
k The geology of HIF encourages buildup of vegetative fuel that encourages forest fires(Hawthorn, DFW, 2012).
Except for the high point, named Hitchcock Island Forest (HIF) by the designer, glacial Lake Hitchcock covered the campus until about 10,000 years ago. Archeologists suggest HIF could have been a prime camp site for Native Americans.
34 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: Surficial Geology 35
Site analySiS: Surficial Geology
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
soIls
syMBol soIl naMe slope draInage ClassWater taBle
Scarboro mucky sandy loam 0 to 2 % Very poor 0 to 2”
Raynham silt loam 0 to 3 % Very poor 0 to 4”
Chatfield-Hollis complex, rocky 3 to 15 % well drained +80”
Hollis-Chatfield complex, very rocky 8 to 15% Excessively drained +80”
Udorthents, smoothed 0% Excessively drained +80”
Warwick channery fine sandy loam 0 to 15% Excessively drained +80”
HighPoint
LowPoint
pertInent faCts k The majority of soils are excessively drained;
k Quick drainage facilitates rapid aquifer recharge; and
k The water table for most of the site remains well below the surface.
(NRCS, 2012)
soIl testsSoil samples were collected from the baseball and soccer fields, the track, court yard and woods edges on west and east sides. These were tested by the University of massachusetts. In general, most were low in nitrogen and phosphorus and all soils were acidic except the track where the use of limestone keeps the pH nearly neutral.
Please refer to “Appendix: Soil Test Results” for details and further recommendations.
IMplICatIons
k The excessively drained soil on Hitchcock Island Forest (Hollis-Chatfield complex) creates a public safety fire hazard due to the buildup of fuel on the forest floor. A controlled burn should occur every few years to avoid uncontrolled forest fires (Hawthorne, DFW, 2012);
k due to excessive drainage of soils, lawn management should be carefully timed to encourage infiltration during heavy summer rains when the fields receive little use;
k Unused areas would benefit from a reduced cutting schedule every two to four years to foster aquifer recharge and wildlife habitat (Saurer, 1998);
k Reduced mowing along the steep banking on the building’s east side would improve infiltration and create valuable wildlife habitat while reducing movement of invasive plant seeds from the field into the forest and the Biomap2 Critical Natural Landscape (Lattrelle, 2012); and
k Consideration should be given to replacing heavy, water-dependent grasses with arid tolerant native grass mixes on the athletic fields (Woodall, 2011).
The rocky soils on Hitchcock Island Forest, the site’s high point, have high drainage causing organic debris buildup from years of fire suppression. This creates a forest fire public safety issue for the school and community (Hawthorne, dCR, 2012).
The last glacier deposited a range of soils. These types of soil determine the area’s vegetation more than any other single factor. most of the school’s landscape has well-drained, drought-prone soils, creating vegetation types similar to the rare scrub oak-pine barrens typically found on Cape Cod. The high point of the school’s property, Hitchcock Island Forest, is arid and ideal for oaks and low bush blueberries. Such locations are
dependent on regenerative fires for vegetative health.
36 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: Soils 37
Site analySiS: Soils
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
~ 10 Foot Contours Toward Critical Natural Landscape
Away from Critical Landscape
BioMap2 Critical Landscape
topography & draInage
PVRS topography has several important features:
pertInent faCts
k About one third of the landscape slopes to the south- west, largely delineated by the school’s high point, Hitchcock Island Forest;
k Land from the flatter soccer and baseball fields generally slopes eastward toward the school’s low point;
k Numerous catchment drains around the building, parking lots and athletic fields channel water eastward to the school’s low point;
k Portions of the building’s rain drainage gutters also drain and concentrate water flow eastward;
k The impervious surfaces annually drain about 9,000,000 gallons of water eastward toward the low point (Save-the-rain.com, 2012);
k The low point empties into Biomap2 Critical Natural Landscape; and
k Roughly 40% of the surface water for the entire property drains westward and toward the wetland.
IMplICatIons
k Surface water from the school’s impervious surfaces and much of the lawn carries particles and toxic materials, such as motor oil, antifreeze and gasoline, into Biomap2 Critical Natural Landscape, stressing wildlife and degrading water quality;
k water becomes heated on impervious surfaces causing thermal shock and even death to wetland wildlife;
k Invasive plants’ seeds move with water from lawn edges into the woods and down the ravine into the low point (Lattrell, 2012);
k Routine storm catchment basin cleaning around the campus remains critical and should be actively monitored;
k Reduction in mowing and increasing pollinator habitat will substantially increase aquifer recharge, reduce run off, and improve wildlife habitat (Saurer, 1998);
k Addition of rain gardens and diverting water from rain gutters into storage for irrigation will substantially reduce run off (EPA 2011); and
k Posting signs indicating the well-head protection zone will increase community awareness (Sarafinas, MDEP, 2012).
Impervious surfaces force heated and often contaminated in sensitive areas.
Ideal location for a mitigating rain gardens. drainpipe from impervious surfaces to Critical Natural Landscape.
38 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: Topography & Drainage 39
Site analySiS: Topography & Drainage
40 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: Vegetation & Cover 41
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oadBennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Dry Oak Hemlock Early Woodland Shrub Wetland
Pasture Pine Forest Red Pine Forest Spruce Planting
Blueberry Wetland Heavy Invasive Plants Meadow
Site analySiS: Vegetation & Cover
To better understand the diversity of habitats at Pioneer, the following designations with brief descriptions should prove helpful in understanding site analysis, designs and management.
Since the 2000-01 construction project, mowing practices have removed important forest-field transition zones. Opportunistic invasive plants thrive in these conditions.
pertInent faCts IMplICatIonsdry oak-heMloCk forest Site is prone to forest fires. The view and location
offer an attractive place for an outdoor classroom (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012).
The property’s high point has features rare in massachusetts. Thin till soils on bedrock result in excessive drainage.
pasture pIne forests The eastern mature Pasture Pines is an optimal site for an outdoor leadership course (Paulson, 2012).
Pasture Pines Forest on property’s west side are prime for timber harvest. The eastern forest has not reached harvest size.
BlueBerry Wetland The site is a potential vernal pool in need of NHESP assessment (French, NHESP, 2012).This is a shrub wetland priority habitat with unusual high-
bush blueberry stand (mFw, 2012).
early Woodland Its flatness and early growth make it a prime location for 2.5 acre photovoltaic array (Hahn, 2011).
An early successional flat woodland sits near the school’s power lines.
red pIne forest Existing pines could be used to build an outdoor classroom with minimal clearing (Johnson, 2012).with declining red pines the site has become heavily
overrun with invasive plants.
heaVy InVasIVe plants Some areas lie within wellhead protection zone (wPZ) and could not be legally managed with herbicides without permitting (Sarafinas, MDEP, 2012).
Six heavily disturbed areas have low soil fertility and poorly developed trees competing with invasive plants.
shruB Wetlands This may be a prime location for a wetland walkway and viewing platform (monro, 2012).This rare, valuable habitat has been influenced by heavy beaver
activity making it important to wildlife and plants (Lattrell, 2012).
spruCe forest It offers valuable wildlife cover and the evergreen shade offers passive invasive plant control (Johnson, 2012).
A small area comprised of non-native trees planted in the 1960’s, interfaces with the wetland area and shows decline due to invasive plants along its edges.
MeadoW
meadow restoration could easily be accomplished by not mowing ( Lattrelle, 2012, motzkin, 2011).
This site is a valuable habitat for two species of NHESP turtles. Upon restoration this site would be similar to their summertime nesting needs (mFw, 2012).
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42 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Inset: Invasive Species 43
exaMples of InVasIVe speCIes at pIoneer
For specific PVRS best management practices please see: Appendices: Invasive Plants - Guidelines for Managers; Invasive Plants Details; and Invasive Plant Locations & Replacements.
Approximately 42% of Threatened or Endangered Species are at risk primarily due to invasive species.Human health and economies are also at risk from invasive species. The impacts of invasive species on our natural ecosystems and economy cost billions of dollars each year. many of our commercial, agricultural, and recreational activities depend on healthy native ecosystems.
What Makes a speCIes InVasIVe?Species that grow and reproduce quickly, and spread aggressively, with potential to cause harm, are given the label of “invasive”. An invasive species can be any kind of living organism—an amphibian, plant, insect, fish, fungus, bacteria, or even an organism’s seeds or eggs.
hoW do InVasIVe speCIes spread?
Invasive species are primarily spread by human activities.
Why do InVasIVe speCIes pose suCh a threat?Invasive species cause harm to wildlife in many ways. when a new and aggressive species is introduced into an ecosystem, it might not have any natural predators or controls. It can breed and spread quickly. Native wildlife may not have evolved defenses against the invader or they cannot compete with a species that has no predators.The direct threats of invasive species:
• Preying on native species;• out-competing native species for food or other resources;• Causing or carrying disease; and• Preventing native species from reproducing or killing their young.
What are the IndIreCt threats of InVasIVe speCIes:CHANGING FOOD WEbS: Invasive species can change the food web in an ecosystem by destroying or replacing native food sources. The invasive species may provide little to no food value for wildlife;
DECREASING bIODIVERSITy: Invasive species can alter the abundance or diversity of species that are important habitat for native wildlife; aggressive plant species like multiflora rose can quickly replace a diverse ecosystem; and
AlTERING ECOSySTEM CONDITIONS: Some invasive species, like garlic mustard, are capable of changing the conditions in an ecosystem, such as changing soil chemistry or the intensity of wildfires.
InVasIVe speCIes and gloBal ClIMate ChangeHigher average temperatures and changes in rain and snow patterns caused by global warming will enable some invasive plant species—such as garlic mustard and purple loosestrife—to move into new areas. From National wildlife Federation
inSet: Invasive Species
Pioneer’s diverse habitats offer unique opportunities for wildlife (Lattrell, 2012). Habitats include the following: rich open wetlands; a wooded area with mature hardwood; and softwood forests with
younger woodlands surrounding meadows. The property’s high point offers unusual habitat beneath towering white and red oaks. A small portion of land on the school’s eastern low point has been designated Biomap2 Critical Natural Landscape that acts as a buffer protecting Biomap2 Priority Habitat, home for rare and endangered species in Bennett meadows.
What lIVes here?Because the extent of wildlife sharing this landscape remains largely a mystery, educational opportunities abound. Learning about the plants and animals living on the Pioneer property would provide a valuable experiential opportunity to students. A few scattered photographs suggest that the first signs of beaver activity began in the mid-1980s, a time when it was common to hear killdeer in the area’s meadows during spring breeding. Likewise, records of wildflowers were crudely recorded during this time. A more formal approach would be beneficial educationally and in supporting potential grant proposals.
ChangIng ManageMent praCtICesChanges in management activities since the 2000-2001 building project have impacted important
meadow habitats. Perhaps this could account for the absence of grassland loving killdeer each spring. Prior to this, native wildflowers edged the fields as a forest buffer running the property’s entire perimeter. Sweet fern, sensitive fern, and similar low plants gave refuge to an abundance of wildlife. Three large areas presently reduced by mowing to the forest edge could offer an important field-forest transitions zones and dramatically improve biodiversity. Loss of a single species frequently creates a chain of losses affecting the overall habitat health. meadow removal promotes the growth of unfavorable, exotic invasive species and can drastically alter breeding and migration patterns that have inconspicuously used the site for eons (Sauer, 1996).
pIoneer’s IMportant regIonal eCologICal roleThe Pioneer property also serves as an important green way allowing many species to find refuge during migration and breeding (Hellmund, 2006).
Hawk or owl’s nest on Hitchcock Island Forest
Red Eft in East Pine Forest
Eastern woodcock feeding in west Pine Forest
44 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: Wildlife & Natural Heritage 45
Feet
0 250 500
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Route
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oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
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Priority Habitats
Meadows Spring Seeps
Woodlands Wetlands
prIorIty haBItats
prIorIty haBItats
Site analySiS: Wildlife & Natural Heritage
Such migrations can be as subtle as a turtle’s annually visiting a meadow during the summer months from the low wetland or as bold as the monarch butterflies’ relying on milkweed for their egg laying. Today, many of these quiet processes are ignored by most humans, but they play a critical role in the ecosystem services(TEEB, 2012). (See Appendix: Ecosystem Services)
PVRS could be the home of over fifty plants and animals considered rare, endangered, or species of concern and declining populations as classified by the massachusetts Fish and wildlife Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program (NHESP).
Please see “appendix: nHeSP Management at PVRS”
The PSP focuses on identifying important locations where these populations still exist. Unfortunately these precious places continue to shrink resulting in a major disruption to many other species’ survival (Scanlon, dCR, 2012).
Pioneer could play a major role in verifying potential species by hosting a ‘BioBlitz’ where area experts visit a site with volunteers to perform an assessment during critical breeding and migration times (Rasku, 2012). A BioBlitz also offers countless benefits to the school community by increasing conservation efforts, introducing students to career opportunities and fostering a deeper respect for our rich habitats. A BioBlitz would be a wise step prior to seeking outside funding in support of the PSP!
Animals, such as this rare spotted turtle (clemmys guttata), require both wetlands and meadows for successful reproduction.
“Rare, threatened, endangered, and species in decline should be verified as part of the school’s on-going land management plan to ensure that habitat needs are being met appropriately.”
“What’s really interesting is the mystery. if you seek the mystery instead of the ansWer, you’ll alWays be seeking. i’ve never seen anybody really find the ansWer, but they think they have. so they stop thinking. but the job is to seek mystery, evoke mystery, plant a garden in Which strange plants groW and mysteries bloom. the need for mystery is greater than the need for an ansWer.”
-- ken kesey
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46 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: Wildlife & Natural Heritage 47
Feet
0 250 500
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Route
142 Rail R
oadBennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Recreation Donated land Education Forest
pertInent faCts
k The Pioneer campus has strong curb appeal. Lawns are maintained, shrubs trimmed, and the parking lots are neat and orderly (monro, 2012);
k Low maintenance burning bush (Euonymus alata), no longer legal for sale in massachusetts, continues to be cultivated and manicured near the building;
k Four acres of land on the property’s western border were donated to Pioneer in 2011, thereby adding a valuable wetland habitat;
k Two abutting neighbors seem unclear about the recent land transfer and continue to use it as their own. Areas show mowing, excavation, use of an old, shallow well, animal pens; and
k From this donation, part of the school’s land now extends to Route 142 to the west.
IMplICatIons
k Optimizing land use in addition to athletics and traffic will improve the school community’s “sense of place” (monro, 2012);
k Creating places of sanctuary around the school will facilitate more use by students and teachers (monro, 2012);
k millions of burning bush seeds are annually dispersed across the landscape; the resulting overgrowth interferes with land use, biodiversity and accessibility (Tallamy, 2007);
k Unused fields, mowed to the forest edge, are no longer valuable transition habitats for wildlife (Tallamy, 2007);
k Clarifying the boundaries of the Pioneer property will eliminate conflicts with abutting neighbors;
k Access from Route 142 could make an ideal trail head for community access; and
k Since utility poles to the old pump house have been removed by the utility company that once held a legal right of way, this land may be available for the school’s use once boundaries have been clarified.
Boundaries from recently donated land remain unclear to well intentioned neighbors. Here an old dump site within a wetland resource is being excavated for old treasures.
Pioneer Valley Regional School is the third largest public school landholder in massachusetts. At one time, an extensive trail system and managed areas, like the “biology pond,” were engaging destinations for students. Under the direction of a skilled teacher/woodsman, students cut trees, hand-hued them into planks, built bridges, marked nature trails, and labeled trees. They took pride in hosting elementary school tours, and most importantly
their work supported a strong “sense of place.” Today many of the original trails through the forests, making up about 65% of the site, have become overgrown due to a lack of upkeep. Landscape maintenance focuses on the grounds around the school and the athletic fields are primarily aesthetic. Relatively little use of other spaces occurs. Except for the cross- country trail system and the occasional neighbor walking through the rich landscape, the majority of the forest and wetlands remain unused by humans (mauri, 2013).
48 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: land Use 49
land use
Site analySiS: Land Use
Feet
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Route
142
Bennett Rd.
Old Bernardsto
n Rd.
BiologyPond
Rail Road
Lighter Traffic
Heaviest Traffic
Foot Trails Needing Re-routing
Foot Trails
Snowmobile Trail Changes Needed
Snowmobile Trail
Major Building Entrances/Exits
exIstIng aCCess & CIrCulatIon
Pertinent Facts
general access and circulation concerns discussed at faculty, community and student meetings include the following:
k Students and visitors lack clear destinations around the property and miss out on valuable open-air opportunities (Public meetings, 2012);
k Areas with prospect and refuge that include safe seating do not exist (monro, 2012);
k Aside from the building and athletic fields, destinations into woodlands and wetlands has overgrown and lack signs (monro, 2012);
k The snow mobile trail enables uncontrolled access for ATVs into fragile wetland areas (Blake, 2012);
k A portion of the snowmobile trail cut along a wooded wetland embankment during the early 1980’s continues to erode precious habitat (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012);
k Unsanctioned trail use by the snowmobile club places the school at high liability (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012);
k Erosion along trails exposes dangerous roots; this is the result of overuse of leaf blowers in an attempt to improve safety for cross country runners (Lattrell, 2012);
k Several of the cross country routes cut across gradients, causing excessive erosion from water streaming down trails (Lattrell, 2012);
k Trail use to the cross country bridge causes excessive erosion along banks threatening the ecological integrity of Critical Natural Landscape (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012); and
k Student express concerns over Lyme disease in natural areas.
IMplICatIons
k Identifying ways to encourage use of the school’s beautiful landscape will require safe sitting areas;
k developing clear destinations by using kiosks and signs will welcome visitors and help eliminate illegal use;
k Adding places to sit and outdoor classrooms made from site-source materials will foster learning (PVRS Student Survey, 2012);
k Enabling safe access to the biology pond will require routine suppression management of the poison ivy;
k developing a written agreement with the local snowmobile association that meets state requirements will eliminate liability issues (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012);
k Rerouting the snowmobile club away from the wooded wetland and remediate the damage will improve valuable wetland habitat;
k Actively involving local authorities in restricting access of ATV’s onto school grounds, especially the wetland areas, will be essential; and
k Using site-sourced wood chips to cover tree roots will reduce erosion and improve the cross country trails (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012);
The area outside the cafeteria is suitable for a small group of students to sit, although it lacks prospect and refuge for children to play, socialize and eat outside.
Teachers who incorporate the Pioneer landscape into the school’s Core Values will enhance students’ environmental stewardship. At the same time access to engaging destinations is dramatically limited (Teacher Survey, 2013).
50 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis: Existing Access & Circulation 51
Site analySiS: Existing Access & Circulation
Removal of native meadows by mowing eliminates valuable habitat, reducing ecological resilience.
CaSe Study: art uniteS outdoor uSeS...thiS Could Be Pioneer!
‘The Bird Blind’ near TrouTdale achieves a greaTer good
Published: March 19, 2010By Allan Brettman, The Oregonian
TROUTDALE -- It started as a work of art crafted by a world-renowned designer, but it morphed into a grassroots incubator for cooperation and change. “The Bird Blind,” as it was named by designer Maya Lin, fulfilled her vision of placing an homage to the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s Corps of Discovery at the mouth of the Sandy River. That was two years ago.
Today, however, the art project has a more far-reaching impact than providing a good nature-walk destination and a bit of culture. Lin and the people who supported her work couldn’t have predicted that dog owners, equestrians, hunters, bird watchers, mountain-bike riders and hikers would seize the opportunity to use her artwork to achieve an even greater good at a 1,500 - acre U.S. Forest Service-owned tract near Troutdale and north of Interstate 84’s Exit 18. There, they have come together, overcoming individual suspicions that the art project would be a roadblock to continued use of the site. They got assurances their favored plot of land wouldn’t be taken away, and gave something back: working together as volunteers to pick up trash, plan trails, clear brush and even mow the grass. And they help the Forest Service, the Oregon Department of Transportation and other agencies plan the area’s future uses.
When the blind was dedicated in August 2008, it became the third completed project. An elliptical-shaped platform features towering wood slats enshrouding the visitor. Several slats are embossed with the names of the more than 130 animal species that the Lewis and Clark journals say the Corps of Discovery encountered on their expedition. The survival status of several species also is embossed on the wood. Some 200 years after the Corps’ journey, three species are extinct and several others are either endangered, threatened or a “species of concern.” When Greg Cox first heard about the Confluence Project plan for “The Bird Blind,” he remembers thinking, “You want to do what?”[After countless hours of research and planning to accommodate dog walkers, equestrians, hunters, bird watchers, and others], U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., directed $1 million toward the interstate exit project (enable safer access), for which the firm David Evans and Associates donated engineering work to the Transportation Department, Kristen Stallman, Oregon Department of Transportation coordinator for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area said. Some of the money was used to build a 110 - space gravel parking lot. The Oregon Army National Guard helped build the parking lot and the trail leading to “The Bird Blind.” Now, once a month, volunteers with Friends of the Gorge conduct trash pickup events. They often set up information tables about appropriate uses of the area. The husband of Adams, the equestrian, uses his own tractor to mow parts of the area. Says ODOT’s Stallman: “It’s only going to get more popular.”
Troutdale community members used an innovative bird blind art installation to build support from hikers, dog walkers, bird watching enthusiasts, equestrians and more.
a tEachEr who wants to usE thE pionEEr landscapEs for ExpEriEntial lEarning facEs multiplE challEngEs.”
(tEachEr survEy, 2013)
k Removing the bridge and rerouting the trail to eliminate travel across contours will eliminate liability and improve habitat (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012);
k developing specialized destinations such as a raised platform/ observation blind overlooking the wetland, and an outdoor classroom on the school’s high point will support student learning;
k Creating engaging places near the school for students to sit or become involved in their environment including rain gardens, edible landscapes and vegetable gardens, will allow Pioneer to make use of its natural resources; and
k Educating faculty and students on strategies to guard against Lyme disease will decrease fears and foster use of open-air opportunities.
From establishing environmental stewardship to a deep and poetic appreciation of all that nature has to offer, teachers will be the key to engaging students in the many opportunities offered by this outstanding landscape.
Efforts to expose dangerous roots to runners by leaf blowing jeopardize forest health and increases erosion.
Heavy illegal ATV use on the west has eroded protected wetland resources.
52 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Case Study: Art Unites Outdoor Uses...This Could be Pioneer! 53
Forest understory has been altered by trails running perpendicular to contours. This causes excessive erosion into sensitive areas and promotes invasive plants.
PVRS has some of the most bio-diverse habitat areas in massachusetts (Lattrell, 2012). Unfortunately many of these areas face a variety of threats including bank erosion near wetlands, increasing dominance by exotic, invasive species, and rapid, heated rain runoff. The absence of habitat management will eventually lead to reduction in biodiversity and decreasing resilience as climate change brings new and unpredictable challenges. The summary table below identifies specific concerns and solutions.
ConCerns solutIons
The Potential Vernal Pool is most likely the home of Natural Heritage Species.
Certification would secure permanent protection and increase the value of a conservation restriction (French, NHESP, 2012; Rasku, 2012).
Four Unsustainable Trails cut too close to spring seeps cause bank erosion and threaten priority habitat. These trails also enable illegal and damaging use by ATV’s.
Re-route up and over the bank to reduces erosion;old trails should be remediated after consulting with the Northfield Conservation Commission(Hawthorne, dFw, 2012).
Runoff from Impervious Surfaces flows into Critical Natural Landscape and eventually into Core Habitat (Savetherain.com, 2013).
Rain gardens coupled with different mowing practices would significantly reduce this problem (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012).
Thin Till bedrock on the high point allows accumulation of dry plant material, making it prone to forest fire and creating a safety threat to students and the community.
Routine prescribed burns would reduce fuel loads and improve the oak stand with a healthier forest edge and floor (Hawthorne, DFW, 2012).
The decrease in forest-field transition meadows from Most Threatening Invasive Plants diminishes important habitat and biodiversity as well as opportunities for aquifer recharge (Sauer 1998).
Prioritize forest-field transition meadows and Priority Habitat Areas for invasive plant management. See “Appendix: Invasive Plant Locations and Replacements.”
The East Pasture Pine Forest offer safe, accessible, and inviting recreational and educational opportunities; the West Pasture Pine Forest has reached maturity.
The East Pasture Pine Forest would be an ideal location for a ropes course. Harvesting West Pasture Pine Forest would supply materials for outdoor classrooms and release an understory of oaks (Johnson, dCR, 2012; Paulson, 2012).
The Red Pine Planting Forest is old and being overtaken by exotic invasive plants.
The area should be cleared for an outdoor classroom constructed with harvested trees from this site (Johnson, dCR, 2012).
only one Meadow remains and is a valuable nesting and feeding habitat for many native species.
meadows should be reinstated in several locations because they offer valuable ecological resilience during climate change and slow water movement during violent storms, while improving infiltration (Walker, 2012).
The Flat Early Woodland extends over three acres away from priority habitat areas and has good southern exposure.
This hidden area would provide needed space for photovoltaics to power the school.
B
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oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
ThreaTening CondiTions
Impervious Surface Runoff
Most Threatening Invasive Plants
Unsustainable Trail
Red Pine Planting Forest
oTher areas
Pasture Pine Forest
Early Woodland
PrioriTy habiTaT areas
Spring Seeps
Potential Vernal Pool
BioMap2 Critical Landscape
Thin Till Bedrock
Meadow
B
C
A
B
C
A
A
A
54 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis Summary I: Sustainable land Use 55
sIte analysIs suMMary I: sustaInaBle land use
Site analySiS Summary i: Sustainable Land Use
Engaging destinations are places for students, teachers and community members to experience authentic educational environment and recreational opportunities. Some can be accessed near the building (rain gardens, for example), while others will need trails that are clearly marked with informational signs. Their use will be defined by their location and natural resources while considering minimal negative impact to each site’s
ecology. A few destinations will require radical changes; the photovoltaic array location, for example, will require forest removal to create an uninterrupted southern exposure.
Feet
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HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Outdoor Classrooms Student Gardens
18th Century Farm Foundation Rain Gardens
Field-Forest Transitions Confi dence Ropes Course
“Wild View” Wetland Viewing Photovoltaic Array
Trail Head Kiosks
2
3
3
3
34
5
5
5
6
6
1
1
1
7
6
2
3
4
5
1
7
8
8
9
9
sIte analysIs suMMary II: engagIng destInatIons & funCtIons
56 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Site Analysis Summary II: Engaging Destinations & Functions 57
destInatIon/funCtIons loCatIon ratIonaleoutdoor ClassrooM sItes High Point offers shed of Connecticut Valley and school.
Red Pine Planting provides site sourced materials in desperate need of management; School Side provides quick access (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012).
Three locations: High Point, Red Pine Planting and School Side.
18th Century foundatIonVery unique, one-of-a-kind site for cross-disciplinary curricula connects the role of agriculture to our daily lives.offers a glimpse of our relevant agricultural
heritage.
fIeld/forest transItIon Zones Reduces mowing and helps management of invasive plants with native plant competition; re-establishes important habitat for students to investigate and value (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012).
Provide water runoff mitigation and important forest-field transition habitat for many birds and other important wildlife.
Wetland/WIldlIfe VIeWIng area Creates an engaging destination for interdisciplinary activities and wildlife observation in a very unique location (Lattrelle, 2012).
A raised viewing platform and walkway in a very rich and diverse wetland.
traIl head kIosks Engage visitors by offering information and direction while providing visual accessibility (monro, 2012).Three locations; near south entry way, close to
parking lot and off Route 142.
student gardens Located near the building for easy access to open courtyard near middle school and senior lobby for high school.
give students an opportunity to raise food and create links to a healthy lifestyle.
raIn garden areasSited close to building for easy accessibility for while offering functionality where runoff can be most dramatic.
Reduce runoff and provide valuable pollinator habitat and visitor seating around the school building.
ConfIdenCe ropes Course Provides a safe, readily-accessible location for students in an area that requires little management and has privacy for multiple stations (Paulson, 2012).
develops leadership, cooperation and team problem solving in a noncompetitive setting.
photoVoltaIC array Location is large enough to create full electrical support while being out of major viewing areas; highly accessible for management and near power lines for interconnection needs (Hawthorne, dFw, 2012).
generates enough electricity to fully power the school, save money, and reduce dependency on unsustainable resources.
Site analySiS Summary ii: Engaging Destinations & Functions
I n
C o r p o r a t e e n g a g I n g d e s t I n a t I o
ns
sC
ot
t h
oW
ar
d d
es
Ign
s
outdoor Classrooms
observation Areas
hIg
h 5
ad
Ve
nt
ur
es
Confidence & Leadership
well designed Trails
Address Climate Change
ra
I s e r u n o f f W a t e r Q u a l I ty
green Roof water CatchmentNative Plant
Rain gardens
Open Air Education & Recreation
Susta
inable Land Use Practices
Pioneer Stewardship Plan
GOALS & ACTIONS
Foster Thriving
Biodiversity
Localize Food Security
Incorporate Engaging
Destinations
Raise Runoff Water Quality
fos t e r t h r I V I n g B I o d I V e r s I t y
Re-establish Healthy Habitats
l o C a l I Z e f o o d s e C u r I t y
Student gardens
Permaculture
58 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Goals, Actions, & Design Inspirations 59
goalS, aCtionS, & deSign inSPirationS
“a tEachEr who wants to usE thE pionEEr landscapEs for ExpEriEntial lEarning facEs multiplE challEngEs.”
(tEachEr survEy, 2013)
60 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Designs: Preferred & Alternatives Overview 61
Building environmental stewardship as a means to a sustainable future is an important Core Value.
one preferred and two alternative designs have been developed through a community process, professional consultation, and extensive “best practices” research from the most recent scientific resources.
Each design identifies a more resilient landscape through sustainable land use practices. open-air education and recreation provide students with places to study and observe Nature.
desIgn oVerVIeW
Preferred Design Alternative Design I Alternative Design II
resIlIenCe steWardshIp open-aIr
proVIdes engagIng
destInatIons
High Moderate High
raIses runoff QualIty
High Moderate None
loCalIZes food
seCurIty
High High None
fosters thrIVIng
BIodIVersIty
High Moderate Moderate
Uses / manages entire site; well balanced
Emphasis close to building for quick access
Destinations for education and recreation away from building
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oadBennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Sumner
Turner Road
BiologyPond
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
deSignS: Preferred & Alternatives Overview
preferred desIgn: resIlIenCeThis design addresses an important Core Value and Student Expectation to build environmental stewardship in a variety of practical ways. It clearly addresses climate change by improving water run off, renewable energy sources, biodiversity and local food security while providing engaging destinations for student use.
pros
k trail re-routing away from steep slopes reduces erosion and siltation;
k Trail Kiosks welcome visitors and provide clear direction;
k outdoor classrooms with green roofs create structured places for lessons;
k Wetland Wild View encourages ecologically sound access to the wetlands for research and creative activities;
k Prescribed Burn would reduces the risk of unmanaged forest fires;
k Universal access trail encourages access to a wider range of visitors;
k Field-Forest transition Zones reduce mowing, decrease water runoff, increase edge habitat, and further protects the wPZ;
k Regenerative Forestry improves forest health and provides educational tree-to-lumber processing skills;
k Photovoltaic array reduces the growing utility bill and carbon footprint;
k native Planting creates natural habitat which encourages local species, creates aesthetic additions from hard building lines and eliminates exotic invasive plants;
k Leadership Ropes course develops student confidence and cohesion;
k Student Gardens encourage healthier eating, could involve community support, and extend conventional thinking about local food production;
k Living Green Roof provides irrigation for gardens, improves water quality and significantly reduces heating and cooling costs; and
k Rain Gardens reduce rapid drainage, improve aquifer recharge, and provide native plant pollinator vegetation.
Cons
k Trails can interfere with some animal migration patterns, hindering the search for food, and reducing genetic diversity by restricting breeding;
k Construction of a Wetland Wild View within wetland resource areas require special permits;
k Field-Forest transition Zones need pathways mowed to control black-legged ticks;
k Time frame for exotic invasive plant control in Field- Forest transition Zones is not in sync with the school calendar;
k Clearing for ground mounted Photovoltaic array would eliminate habitat and could interfere with athletic practice area;
k Community support will be required to maintain summer Student Gardens;
k Addition of native Planting requires careful planning for snow management; and
k Newly cleared and disturbed areas create opportunities for exotic invasive plant colonization and require routine management.
62 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Preferred Design: Resilience 63
trails Universal access trail
Leadership Ropes course
Kiosks Field-Forest transition Student Gardens
outdoor classrooms
Regenerative Forestry Living Green Roof
Wetland Wild View Photovoltaic array Rain Gardens
Prescribed Burn native Planting
Preferred deSign: Resilience
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Sumner
Turner Road
BiologyPond
The Stewardship design offers opportunities near the school building for engaging students in activities to improve runoff water quality and biodiversity. It encourages students to develop natural landscape sculptures, to create community based gardens and to work cooperatively at managing the landscape during their six years at Pioneer.
pros
k outdoor classrooms with green roofs create structured places for lessons;
k Field-Forest transition Zones reduce mowing, decrease water runoff, increase edge habitat, further protects the wPZ;
k Photovoltaic array reduces the growing utility bill and carbon footprint;
k native Planting creates natural habitat which encourages local species, creates aesthetic additions from hard building lines and eliminates exotic invasive plants;
k Leadership Ropes course develops student confidence and cohesion;
k Living Green Roof reduces rain water runoff, decreases building heating and cooling requirements and provides valuable habitat;
k Student Gardens encourage healthier eating, could involve community support, and extend conventional thinking about local food production; and
k Rain Gardens reduce rapid drainage, improve aquifer recharge, and provide native plant pollinator vegetation.
Cons
k Field-Forest transition Zones need pathways mowed to control black-legged ticks;
k Time frame for exotic invasive plant control in Field- Wood transition Zones are not in sync with the school calendar;
k Community support will be required to maintain summer Student Gardens;
k Addition of native Planting requires careful planning for snow management; and
k The Living Green Roof may require structural upgrading to support the additional load.
alternatIVe desIgn: steWardshIp
64 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Alternative Design I: Stewardship 65
outdoor classrooms
Leadership Ropes course
Field-forest transitions Living Green Roof
Photovoltaic array Student Gardens
native Planting Rain Gardens
alternative deSign i: Stewardship
trails Universal access
Kiosks Photovoltaic array
outdoor classroom View Scape
Wetland Wild View Leadership Ropes course
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
alternatIVe desIgn II: open-aIr
66 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Alternative Design II: Open-Air 67
alternative deSign ii: Open-Air
The Open Air design provides access to many previously unused areas. It focuses on engaging destinations and adds a renewable energy source. Students would have places to sit, observe, and create. Activities occurring in the Wetland Wild View, Leadership Ropes Course and Outdoor Classrooms would provide interdisciplinary, experiential opportunities.pros
k trail system introduces the walker to landforms, forest systems and unique plants along guided pathways;
k Trail Kiosks welcome visitors and provide clear direction;
k outdoor classrooms with green roofs create structured places for lessons;
k Wetland Wild View encourages ecologically sound access to the wetlands for research and creative activities while instilling the value of wetlands;
k Universal access trail increases access for a greater range of participants;
k Photovoltaic array reduces the growing utility bill and the school’s carbon footprint;
k View Scape provides a unique cross-disciplinary opportunity for aesthetic, historic and geological uses; and
k Leadership Ropes course develops student confidence and cohesion.
Cons
k open-air does little to mitigate excessive run off, biodiversity or local food security;
k Routine management could prove challenging;
k New trails will create opportunities for exotic invasive plant colonization and will require routine management;
k trails can interfere with some animal migration patterns, hindering the search for food, and reducing genetic diversity by restricting breeding;
k Construction of Wetland Wild View within wetland resource areas require special permits;
k View Scape will require periodic tree removal; and
k Clearing for ground mounted Photovoltaic array would eliminate habitat and could interfere with the athletic practice area.
away from drains.
k Replace the use of road salt on sidewalks;
k Remove parking lot sweepings from winter sand accumulations from drains and clean storm drains annually;
k Consult a forest fire management professional for details on reducing fire risk on Hitchcock Island Forest; and
k Collaborate with a local land trust in obtaining assistance from an AmeriCorp volunteer to assist the Coordinator.
step 3 - apply for grants ($1000 and up)
many of the items listed below are eligible for grants now that the school has the PSP.
k Establish raised - bed garden plots for the community with easy access to ample water; purchase the necessary gardening tools and provide a storage shed;
k Remove managed burning bush shrubs from the four areas on the school grounds and replace with native plants;
k design water mitigating ‘rain gardens’ at strategic locations around the school;
k Establish habitat monitoring stations;
k Protect the vernal pool;
k monitor and protect wetland;
k monitor and protect pollinator habitats; and
k monitor and protect turtle nesting areas.
k offer teachers curriculum development stipends to integrate the PSP into existing curricula;
k design outdoor classrooms and wildlife viewing areas using site source materials and hiring students during the summer to work with a logger, forester, sawyer, and contractor; and
k develop an entrepreneur program with middle school students that utilizes site resources (e.g. cord wood harvesting, mushroom cultivation, and production gardens).
after you get thIs far... go for long terM CapItol IMproVeMents
k Replace impervious asphalt with pervious pavers; research at UNH proves that the long term cost provides significant savings; k Install a rain catchment system that reserves water for irrigation of fields; and k Replace existing roofs with ‘green roof’ to reduce heating and cooling costs while significantly reducing runoff.
much of the PSP can be implemented with little expense once the school has formally adopted the identified concepts and strategies into management practices and incorporated them
into the curricula as a sustainable vision for the future. The district will need to seek funding from public and private agencies. These grants should become much more accessible once a grant application schedule has been established.
The PSP has been endorsed by several key people and organizations.
Please refer to Appendix: Endorsements.
step 1 - hIre a sustaInaBIlIty CoordInator A key component to project adoption will be a full or part-time Sustainability Coordinator who oversees the plan’s forward movement. The job description should include, but not be limited to, grant writing, training management staff, working hand-in-hand with teachers on curricula, and scheduling community events.
step 2 - InVest In loW Cost/ no Cost projeCts
k Redirect and design trails to run parallel or diagonally to contour lines instead of perpendicular;
k Apply for Northfield’s Community Preservation Act monies (over $90,000) by November. one-third of the use of this money must be used for open space preservation;
k Certify the Potential Vernal Pool on the west side certified; see http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/ vernal_pools/vernal_pool_cert.htm; and
k Implement the forest management plan developed in 2013.
See Appendix: Forest Management Strategies.
k Reduce mowing to establish healthy field to forest transitions and improve pollinator habitat areas with managed native plants. manage woody invasive exotics by pulling and re-planting with eco-regional natives and/or cut and paint with herbicides after prioritizing and carefully reviewing the best practices associated with invasive plant management;
k Contact the Northfield Planning Board about the steps necessary for becoming part of the town’s Solar overlay district for the photovoltaic array;
k Begin the process of acquiring a leased, full- photovoltaic system or budgeting for direct ownership to reduce electrical costs. Savings will be between 40 to 60% (~ $60,000) per year. If leasing, negotiate an agreement to purchase the system for $1 after 15 - 20 years;
Please see “appendix: Photovoltaics- Lease or Buy?
k Reduce siltation into drains by keeping plow piles
68 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Getting Started 69
getting Started
70 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Resources, Grants & Partnerships 71
Conservation Commissions. In addition, mACC works for strong, workable, science-based laws and regulations regarding wetlands, other water resources, open space, and biological resources. maccweb.org The massachusetts division of Fisheries and wildlife/ Natural Heritage and Endangered Species is responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested in the state. www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ overall mission is to safeguard public health from environmental threats and to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Commonwealth. www.mass.gov/?pageId=eoeeahomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Eoeea The massgIS is the Commonwealth of massachusetts’ Office of Geographic Information, a statewide resource for geospatial technology and data. www.mass.gov/mgis/
non-goVernMental organIZatIons (ngos)The massachusetts Audubon Society works to protect the nature of massachusetts for people and wildlife. The organization cares for 34,000 acres of conservation land, provides educational programs for children and adults, and advocates for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. www.massaudubon.org The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks and recreation opportunities. www.nrpa.org/
The mission of the Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
Local Fire management Specialist-Plymouth, mA – Alex Belote, [email protected]. The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) is today recognized as a leader in conserving working forests, educating the public about forestry, and assisting landowners in the long-term protection and sustainable management of their properties. www.newenglandforestry.org/ The Trustees of Reservations has properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value for public use and enjoyment in massachusetts. www.thetrustees.org/ The Lady Byrd Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin, Native Plant database is yet another resource. www.wildflower.org/plants
IndIVIduals
Austin Paulson, gCC outdoor Leadership Professor, has offered to assist with planning confidence courses for a limited time/and is available for the short term only.
Jere Nelson, Northfield resident and timber harvester, has offered services to the school once the forest management plan has been completed.
Please refer to “Appendix: Grants and Foundations” for additional information.
Resources, Grants & Partnerships
ConserVatIon restrICtIon Jay Rasku, North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership suggested several options and recommendations for preserving the PVRS landscape. The most logical strategy would be to protect the property in perpetuity through a conservation restriction (CR). This would stop any possible development, while the Pioneer district decides which portion(s) of the property to place under the restriction and which part(s) to keep open for future expansion and development. A conservation restriction keeps the ownership of the land with PVRSd but permanently protects natural resources in the area under the restriction – i.e., no development can occur there. A qualified independent appraiser determines the monetary value of the CR. He/she determines the full development value and the least development value. The difference between these two values is the CR’s value. It will cost $4000-$6000 for a CR appraisal, but the process often identifies potential funding source(s) for purchasing it. There would be fees to monitor the restriction, including legal holdings to cover liability, baseline assessment and an annual assessment to monitor CR compliance.
In short, the sale value of the conservation restriction is determined by the appraisal score. It is possible to strengthen the CR’s scoring, thus increasing its sale value. Locating and verifying the existence of rare species on site and having a management plan focusing on educational use will increase its value. Yet another way to increase the value is increasing the parcel size by combining a contiguous property with PVRS, especially if it holds waterfront along the Connecticut River. The key to success is finding the right funding source for a conservation restriction appraisal. The restriction could be purchased by the town through the Community
Preservation Act (CPA) money through a town vote. The Commonwealth of massachusetts has a grant program to help municipalities conserve land. known as the LANd (Land Acquisition Natural diversity) grant program, it reimburses the town up to 60% of the cost of the CR. The CPA would assume the remaining costs. Another option to protect the landscape in perpetuity would involve donating the development rights to the Conservation Commission. The associated fees would be the town’s responsibility. In any case, insuring that this beautiful landscape is preserved would be a great gift to future generations.
federal goVernMent
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems. www.nrcs.usda.gov/
The United States department of Agriculture (USdA), Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plants database. plants.usda.gov/java/ The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides grants that fund state environmental programs, non-profits, educational institutions, and others. The grant money is used for a wide variety of projects to achieve the EPA’s overall mission to protect human health and the environment. www.epa.gov
state goVernMent
The massachusetts Association of Conservation Commission’s mission is education of and support for
Appendix: Community Input 73 72 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design
aPPendix: Community Input
Stewardship Priorit ies
projeCt InnoVatIons
Regenerates
Forests &
native H
abitat
Improves
water Q
uality
Builds
diversity
Preserves
Natural
Resources
offers
Educational
opportunities
offers
Recreational
opportunities
Field-Forest Transition Zones • • • • • •
Rain Gardens • • • • • •
Permaculture Garden Design • • • • • •
Trails, signs, map • • • • •
Managed Forests • • • • •
Photovoltaic System • • • •
Outdoor Classrooms • • • •
Green Roof • • • •
Invasive management • • • •
Gray-water system • • •
Campus High Point Destination • •
Ropes Course •
The effectiveness of project innovations at meeting program goals from approximately 225 community members, faculty and students. Participants considered available resources, ecological impact and cost.
aPPendix B hiStory
Appendix: Historic Details 75 74 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design
many factors have shaped the Pioneer landscape, some from natural causes, but most have anthropocentric origins. This time line attempts to identify significant biophysical, social and / or economic events that shaped the landscape to what we experience today. knowing the causes will further our understanding in making better informed adaptive management decisions.
year Event/sRelevance on
Today’s landscape
Major Driver/s
-10,000
Last glacier creates well-drained till and 120 long mile Lake Hitchcock, which covers all of site except Hitchcock Island; forest west of the soccer field contains very distinct lake bottom sediments
Creates soil conditions and geographical features that sculpture the vegetative cover, wildlife habitats and human uses
Biophysical
1800’s
Land is farmed for hay, livestock and fruit; little known foundation from 1800’s on south end still exists today; last remnants of a “wolf tree” on the east side also indicate open field; barbed wire has been found deeply embedded into old oak trees
Landscape markers today provide clear evidence of agricultural use that spanned more than 200 years; former hay fields ecologically succeeded to towering white pine forest on east and west property portions
Biophysical
1957After years of planning led by F. Sumner Turner, Pioneer Valley Regional School opens exotic ornamentals (barberry and honeysuckle) planted
declining farmland becomes perfect site for highly managed athletic fields, parking and building infrastructure; students have outdoor areas for play at lunchtime and woodlands for learning
All
1960Topsoil removal occurs from west side where red pine, European larch and spruce were planted
Today this same-age forest is quickly deteriorating and undergoing significant change open to undesirable decline in valuable biodiversity
Biophysical
aPPendix: Historic Details
76 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix b History 77
year Event/sRelevance on
Today’s landscape
Major Driver/s
~1991 Fire in west Forest
A small ground fire was stopped after beginning to Ladder up tree trunk, where it could have escalated and become a serious safety threat to the community
Biophysical
1994First efforts to recycle paper made by S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violence to the Earth)
Student-initiated effort shows concern beyond school building; awareness of declining environment comes into the school community
Social
1995 State mandates mCAS standards and testing initiatives
Educational focus changes to meet state’s high stakes testing requirements; curricula moves away from open-air education; use of school grounds declines; use is primarily for athletics and community
Social/ Economic
1996 Envirothon team begins
Envirothon teams focus on a different current issue for statewide competition. They address these ways relevant to ecological assessment and management of the PVRS landscape and present their findings
Social
2000
major building and grounds renovation and expansion begins; school develops forest management plan; topsoil removed by contractor from site and not used on athletic fields
Unhealthy forest conditions continue to develop in many other locations; new landscape includes low maintenance exotic plants and high water-requiring lawns; impervious surfaces double increasing runoff; lunchtime play area removed
All
2001School’s mission Statement includes environmental stewardship, cooperation and heterogenous grouping
Teachers create awareness and efforts to meet new ideals; school focuses its stewardship on resource reduction through recycling
Social
year Event/sRelevance on
Today’s landscape
Major Driver/s
1960grant-funded construction of the "biology pond" on the south end of the property takes place
Provides first valuable destination and access to outdoor educational /recreational opportunities
Biophysical/social
1972 Teachers and students open Pioneer Nature Trail
Provides outdoor skills and environmental stewardship opportunities to students; further provides access to meaningful outdoor destinations
Biophysical/Social
1974drainage from building’s rooftop and parking impervious surfaces erodes into deep gully on east side
Unpredicted topsoil loss into wetlands deteriorates habitat decreasing biodiversity; aquifer recharge diminishes; area greatly disrupted remedied with drainage piping and cover cropping
Biophysical/ Economic
1981Proposition 2 1/2 limits property tax increases and limiting school budget increases
Aging infrastructure shows need for major capitol investments; tough decisions pit important needs against one another
Economic
1985
well fails from lack of maintenance and flooding caused by beaver damming and is eventually relocated to field edge; a bond funds expansion of athletic fields and well; snow mobile trail opens along the west property boundary
well protection zone shifts eastward toward school infrastructure; forest edge pushed back while athletic fields expand creating border disturbances; snow mobile trail provides unique community access including undesirable off-road motorized vehicle use
All
1990Vernon students tuition to PVRS as an alternative to attending Brattleboro High
Provides additional economic resources to the school while increasing demand for more facilities and staffing; curricula adjusted to meet expanded backgrounds
Social/ Economic
date of testing: october 21, 2011
lo C at I o nso I l
phBu f f e r
ph
lI M e ne e d s/ 1000
f t 2
np p M
pp p M
kp p M
fe r t I l I Z e rne e d s
la B nu M B e r
Athletic Fields 5.9 6.9 #25 - - - most are within well-head protection zone. Not allowed
S1111018-201
Track 6.8 7.5 0 0 2 79 20-3-12 @ #5/100 ft2 S111018-202
Courtyard 5.0 6.5 #150 7 7 77 10-10-10 @ #3/100ft2 S111018-203
East of Building 5 6.5 #150 17 5 70
5-10-10 @ #3/ 100ft2 ; due to the nutrient loving invasive plants down slope from the area, limestone and fertilizer is NoT recommended until issue is completely mitigated with routine monitoring practices
S111018-205--
Visit www.umass.edu/soiltest for further information
Appendix: Soil Test Results 79 78 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design
aPPendix: Soil Test Resultsyear Event/s
Relevance on Today’s
landscape
Major Driver/s
2002 Local landscape company wins contract for land management
Landscaper initiates many new practices: elimination of all meadows, mowing to field tree line creating disruptions and enabling the expansion of exotic invasive plants
Biophysical/ Economic
2005Administration supports full recycling and composting program run by students and staff
Adds leverage for whole school support; decreases waste stream to about 75%
Social/Economic
2008 School choice for out-of-district students increases to 25%
Increases financial resources for school and stabilizes declining enrollment while challenging educational needs; increases out-of-district transportation needs and demands for facilities
Social/Economic
2011Highly invasive Japanese stiltgrass is identified and treated by community volunteers; total exotic invasive plant list reaches thirteen
This highly invasive plant has totally degraded many ecosystems across the US; access from community use of PVRS snow mobile trail by ATVs may have unknowingly introduced it from southern locations; seven year seed viability means ongoing management necessary to control and eliminate over time
All
2011A neighbor west of PVRS donates 4.75 acres of wetland property expanding the site to nearly 90 acres
This provides valuable access to Route 142 for potential snowmobile and trail head use and adds valuable wooded wetland where rare, declining and endangered species may live
All
80 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Invasive Plants - Guidelines for Managers 81
aPPendix: invaSive PlantS - Guidelines for Managers
From: InvasIve Plant management: guIdelInes For managersJulie Richburg, Phd.The Trustees of ReservationsSeptember 29, 2008
overvIew From the executIve summary
In the Northeast, invasive species have invaded a variety of habitats from grasslands to intact forests. Invasive species threaten our native biodiversity by directly competing with native species, altering ecosystem processes, changing hydrological characteristics, and degrading gene pools through hybridization with native species. Furthermore, invasive species can degrade the productivity of agricultural lands and compromise significant cultural landscapes (e.g., historic gardens). due to the characteristics of invasives (e.g., high seed production, rapid growth), they may be better adapted to colonizing disturbed landscapes and respond more quickly than native species to changes that result from global warming.
general PrIncIPles In InvasIve Plant management
k · Prevention
k · Early detection and Rapid Response
k · Control and management
k · Education and Public Awareness
PrIorItIzatIon oF InvasIve Plant management
Prioritization of our control efforts is essential to maximizing our ability to protect biodiversity with the limited financial, staff and volunteer resources available. Control efforts will focus on those species that are threatening rare species or priority community types, or are known to compromise the ecological integrity of habitats beyond competition with native species (e.g., a species that changes soil chemistry or alters community structure). Control efforts on agricultural lands and designed landscapes will take into account any potential economic and cultural impacts resulting from invasives.
guIdelIne For PrIorItIzatIon:
k · Identify significant and important resources to protect.
k · Inventory properties to identify invasive species population sizes and locations.
k · Prioritize populations for management based on the significance of the resource, the existence of effective control
methods, the invasiveness of the species, and the potential for long-term control.
k · Implement control and document our successes/failures.
k · Reevaluate priorities based on our experiences with control and as we learn about new information and control
methods.
The full document is available at: http://www.sib.gov.ar/archivos/Richburg2008_InvasivesPlantGuidelines.pdf
82 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Invasive Plants Management Details 83
a strategy for prioritizing as summarized in Appendix d, “ management Prioritization of Invasive Plant.”
aPPendix: Invasive Plants Management Detailstable 1: Pvrs InvasIve Plant descrIPtIon, management and threats
over a dozen exotic invasive plants can be found at PVRS. This table assists with recognition, management and the ecological threats posed from their spread while a Table 2, “Invasive Plants Locations and Replacements at PVRS,” complements the information necessary to begin developing
PhotograPhCommon name
SCientifiC nameDeSCriPtion management threat
Japanese Stilt grassMicrostegium vimineum
Annual grass has a sprawling habit; germinates in spring, reaching 2 to 3.5 feet; leaves have paler mid-strip. Mow in July after flowers bloom but before seeds form.
displaces native species unable to compete in open to shady areas; forms extensive patches while changing soil chemistry;deer help its invasion by feeding on native plants.
Black Swallow-wortCynanchum louiseae
Twining herbaceous vine hasoval leaves 3-4’ long; producessmall, deep purple-black flowers;pods are long and slender in mid-July.
Pull seed pods and destroy by burning or secure disposal; cut close to ground prior to spraying with triclopyr to reduce drift.
Patches crowd out native vegetation; negatively impacts the monarch butterfly whose larvae do not survive in this environment.
Russian oliveElaeagnus angustifolia
Small thorny shrub or tree grows up to 30 feet in height; leaves, buds and stems have a dense silvery covering; leaves are egg-shaped; flowers are yellow, highly aromatic in June/July; they pro-duce clusters of silvery fruits.
Cut and mow annually; avoid native vegetation.
out-competes native vegetation; interferes with natural plant succession and nutrient cycling; taxes water re-serves; accumulates nitrogen in its roots to facilitate rapid growth; lowers species richness along streams.
winged Euonymus Euonymus alatus
Shrub grows up to 20’ in height;four corky ridges appear along the length of young stems;opposite leaves < 2 in. long are smooth and rounded; plantturns a bright crimson in fall.
Hand pull when less than 2’ tall and when soil is moist; dig out larger plants with a spading fork; trim off all flowers to prevent spread; paint freshly cut stumps with glyphosate.
out-competes native species; adapts to various environ-mental conditions; tolerates full shade;invades moist, forested sites creating dense thickets that can shade out native herbs and shrubs.
oriental BittersweetCelastrus orbiculatus
woody perennial has climbing vine and a trailing shrub;glossy, roundish and finely- toothed leaves alternate; red-orange fruit is fleshy.
Cut or pull every fall/winter; apply herbicide triclopyr to rooted, live-cut surfaces immediately.
Smothers vegetation by shading or breakage; displaces native American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) through competition and hybridization.
garlic mustardAlliaria petiolata
Cool season biennial herb has stalked, triangular, coarsely-toothed leaves; crushing produces garlic odor; first year rosettes remain green through the winter and develop into large, mature plants the next spring.
Prevent seed production until seed bank is exhausted (up to five years); cut flowers at ground level preventing seed production; bag and remove; apply herbicide glyphosate at any time of year.
Threatens native plants and animals in forest communities;out-competes native plants by aggressively monopolizing light, moisture, nutrients, soil and space; is toxic to rare West Virginia white butterfly (Pieris virginiensis).
84 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Invasive Plants Management Details 85
PhotograPhCommon name
SCientifiC nameDeSCriPtion management threat
Japanese Barberry and Common BarberryBerberis
Spiny shrub grows 2 to 8’ in height; brown branches bear a single, very sharp spine at each node;leaves are small, oval to spatula-shaped; flowers in mid-April to May; fruits are bright red berries about 1/3 in. long, mature during late season, and persist through winter.
Pull shallow root system when soil is damp/moist; remove entire root system; mow or cut in late summer prior to seed production.
Alters soil pH, soil nitrogen levels, and biological activity in soil; displaces native plants and reduces wildlife habitat and forage; deer avoid browsing barberry, preferring to feed on native plants, giving barberry a competitive advan-tage; presents as a major habitat for Lyme disease carrying black-legged ticks.
Multiflora RoseRosa multiflora
Thorny shrub have arching stems; leaves consist of five to eleven sharply-toothed leaflets; leaflet base bears fringed leaf stems; showy, white-pink flowers appear in May or June; they develop dur-ing summer, persisting through winter.
Cut individual plants 3-6 times/growing season; apply glyphosate to freshly cut stumps; repeat process often be-cause of persisting seed bank.
Multiflora rose is extremely prolific and can form impen-etrable thickets that exclude native plant species; readily invades open woodlands, forest edges, and successional fields that have experienced land disturbance.
Common BuckthornRhamnus cathartica
Shrub or small tree can grow to 22 feet in height; bark is gray to brown with rough texture when mature; leaves are broadly oval, rounded or pointed at the tip, without hairs and with jagged, toothed margins; heartwood is pink to orange; twigs are often tipped with a spine.
Pull out, but take care to avoid excessive soil disturbance which can release stored seeds;apply triclopyr herbicide to cut stumps during the growing season (late may to october); mix glyphosate with 5 parts water and apply immediately to cut stumps using a hand sprayer.
Competes with local woody and herbaceous flora; discour-ages germination and survival of desirable tree species; nitrogen-rich leaf litter produced by buckthorn rapidly de-composes disrupting healthier regenerative burning cycles.
glossy BuckthornRhamnus frangula
Similar to Common Buckthorn but does not have a spine at twig tips; leaves are not toothed, and the undersides of the leaves are hairy; seeds remain viable for 2 -3 years; bark is gray or brown with promi-nent, closely spaced, often elongated, light-colored lenticels.
Pull before fruits appear; burn large seeding populations; treat freshly cut stumps with glyphosate or triclopyr. Similar to Common Buckthorn
Exotic Bush HoneysucklesLancer spp.
Shrubs grow 6 -15’ in height;leaves are opposite and egg-shaped; older stems are often hol-low while most native shrubs have solid stems; flowers are small, paired, fragrant, tubular and creamy white to pink or crimson; fruits are red to orange..
Pull small plants without disrupting soil; clip repeatedly to ground level in shaded forest habitats; apply triclopyr herbicide to cut stems with a sponge.
Rapidly invades and overtakes a site, forming a dense shrub layer that crowds and shades out native plant spe-cies; may release toxic chemicals that prevent other plant species from growing in the vicinity; fruits do not offer mi-grating birds the high-fat, nutrient-rich food sources needed for long flights.
Purple LoosestrifeLythrum salicaria
Erect perennial herb has a square, woody stem; opposite lance-shaped leaves have stalkless and heart-shaped base; plants grow 4 -10 feet tall; magenta flowers grow on a spike.
Hand pull small infestations; spot treat with glyphosate, ap-plied late in season before seed set; biological control by root mining or leaf eating insects is also an option.
out-competes and replaces native vegetation; provides lower quality food source for insects and birds.
Porcelain-berryAmpelopsis brevipedun-culata
This woody, perennial vine resembles native grapes;stem pith is white; bark does not peel; leaves alternate and are broadly oval, with a heart-shaped base; coarsely toothed margins are conspicuous; sometime confused with native species A. arborea and A. cordata.
Hand pull vines in fall or spring to prevent flower formation; follow-up regularly as seeds are viable for several years; bag and burn large vines cut near the ground; either treat cut stems with systemic herbicide or repeat cutting of re-growth as needed.
Invades open and wooded habitats; grows and spreads quickly in areas with high to moderate light; climbs over shrubs and other vegetation, shading out native plants and consuming habitat.
table 1: Pvrs InvasIve Plant descrIPtIon, management and threats, continued
86 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Invasive Plant locations & Replacements 87
Vegetation Zones & Priority Habitats
WTL
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oadBennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Priority Habitats
Meadows Spring Seeps
Woodlands Wetlands
HIF
PVPWPF
SWL
FFZ
FFZ
FFZ
EPF
RCL
MSD
MSD
WTL
WS
RPF
Vegetation ZonesEast Pine Forest Red Pine Forest
Field-forest zone Shrub Wetland
Hitchcock Island Forest Wetland
Mixed Successional Disturbed West Pine Forest
Potential Vernal Pool Wetland Spring
Ravine to Critical Landscape
WPF
SWL
WS
WTL
RPF
FFZ
HIF
PVP
EPF
MSD
RCL
MSD
MSD
MSD
WS
Priority Habitats closest to Vegetation Zones with invasive plants have the greatest management needs.
aPPendix: invaSive Plant loCationS & rePlaCementS
nameVegetation
ZoneSrePlaCement PlantS
Japanese Stilt grass, Microstegium vimineum wTL Cool season native grasses
Black Swallow-wort, Cynanchum louiseae FFZ Cool season native grasses
Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia
EPF, FFZ, FNd, HIF, mSd, RCL, RPF
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
winged Euonymus, Euonymus alatus
HIF, FFZ, mSd, RCL, RPF, wTL,
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), Red-osier dogwood Cornus sericea
oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus sempervirens
EPF, FFZ, FNd, RCL, RPF, mSd Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
garlic mustardAlliaria petiolata RCL, wS Cool season native grasses
Japanese and Common BarberryBerberis
mSd, wTL
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa), red osier dogwood, Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), shrubby cinquefoil, fragrant sumac, highbush blueberry, deerberry, maple leaf viburnum (V. acerifolium), arrowwood, nannyberry, with-rod (V. nudum var cassinoides), black haw
Multiflora RoseRosa multiflora
EPF, FFZ, FNd, mSd, RCL, RPF, wTL Steeple-bush (Spiraea tomentosa), meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)
Common Buckthorn,Rhamnus cathartica mSd, wTL,
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea and A. laevis), chokeberry, paw-paw, silky dogwood (Cornus ammonum), witch-hazel, spicebush, ninebark, choke-cherry (Prunus virginiana), common elder (Sambucus Canadensis), arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
glossy Buckthorn,Rhamnus frangula mSd, wTL, Same as common buckthorn
Exotic Bush Honeysuckles, Lancer spp.
FFZ, FNd, mSd,RPF, wTL
Serviceberry, chokeberry, summersweet (Clethra alnifolia), alternate leaf dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), American hazelnut, (Corylus Americana), witch-hazel, spicebush, ninebark, shining sumac (Rhus copalina),
Purple LoosestrifeLythrum salicaria wTL
Porcelain-berry Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
mSd Cool season native grasses
Using data from the New England Wildflower Association, identified exotic invasive plants including prime locations with replacement native plants options are listed below.. Zones with priority habitats should dictate initial management.
Table 2: Primary Invasive Plant Locations with Replacement Options
88 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: NHESP Management at PVRS 89
massachusetts division of Fish and wildlife (Scanlon, dCR, 2012).
Rare, threatened, endangered, and species in decline should be verified as part of the school’s on-going land management plan to ensure that habitat needs are being met appropriately. Additionally, decisions regarding trail location and design, structures and major landscape alterations must be informed using research data. An aggressive and well-planned invasive plant management program is essential.
aPPendix: nheSP Management at PvrS
Common, Scientific name State StatuS/threatS habitatS
AnimAls
water Shrew (Sorex plasters)
State Special Concern: fragmentation of suitable habitat; warming and siltation of headwater streams; loss of wetland habitat; and the potential introduction of new predators such as bass.
Vernal Pools, forested and open wetlands.
king Rail (Rallus elegant) State Threatened: migrate nocturnally; illuminated obstructions cause mortality. Primarily in shallow water areas; nest in shallow marshes, sedges or grasses.
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) No State Status: declining population; habitat fragmentation primary threat. Require large tracts of continuous forest; hunt from perches often located at the forest edge or in openings.
American woodcock (Scolopax minor)
No State Status: declining population; loss of suitable habitat from forest succession and development; seriously impacted by severe storms and other climatic events during migration and nesting periods.
Singing grounds/roost sites in forest openings; nests found close by in young, open woodlands; daytime feeding habitat includes wet areas and second-growth hardwoods mixed with aspen, birch and alder, with rich, moist soils.
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
State Rarity: nests predated by snakes, domestic cats, and other birds; threatened largely by the conversion of preferred habitat to late-successional woodlands. Inhabit brushy, early-successional areas, such as old fields and other disturbed areas.
Blue-winged warbler, (Vermivora pinus)
No State Status: declining population; threat to suitable habitat due to landscape conversion and succession; frequent host of the brown-headed cowbird. Nest in early to mid-successional habitat, typically saplings at forest edge of clearings comprised of dense shrubby thickets.
Canada warbler (Wilsonia condenses)
No State Status: declining population; habitat fragmentation primary threat; considered highly area-sensitive; active forest management can be compatible with sustaining populations.
Swampy hardwood and mixed hardwood/conifer forests with dense undergrowth; eats insects and spiders captured by hawking, hovering, and gleaning low in the understory; nests well-concealed near ground in dense vegetation.
white-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
No State Status: declining population; loss of suitable breeding habitat due to development and succession toward more mature forests.
Coniferous and mixed forests, especially with low, dense vegetation; nest sites generally on or near the ground under dense vegetation along the edge of a clearing; found in coniferous and mixed forests.
Field Sparrow (Spizella pupil)
No State Status: declining population; threatened largely by conversion of preferred habitat by development to later-successional woodlands.
Inhabit edges of woods; prefer areas of grass interspersed with shrubs or small trees; tend to avoid both grasslands devoid of woody vegetation and wooded areas without significant grassy openings.
Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus)
No State Status: declining population; continued fragmentation of landscape by roads and development hinders re-colonization.
open hummock marshes, shrub swamps, and margins of streams and ponds; appear to thrive in wetlands habitats offering abundance of small amphibians, small fish and insects.
Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
State Threatened: removal of adults and juveniles from the wild; significant and repeated losses of eggs and hatchlings lead to population decline; require high survival rates to balance low reproductive rate with long life span.
Adults may be found in ponds, rivers, marshes, vernal pools, shrub swamps, forested swamps, and streams; juveniles tend to choose shallower and more thickly vegetated areas; spend much of the active season on land.
Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)
State Special Concern: alteration of wetlands and destruction of upland habitats; nest predation by skunks, raccoons, and foxes.
wetland habitats including forested and non-forested wetlands, and upland* areas; found in woodland vernal pools; require soft soil and prefer areas with aquatic vegetation; hide in mud and detritus when disturbed; nest in sunny, well-drained soil in open meadows, fields; often travel long distances to reach suitable nesting areas.
dIsCoVerIng What lIVes here To facilitate a better knowledge of the species inhabiting the PVRS landscape, fourteen habitat types have been identified and mapped in this plan using information provided by the “Comprehensive wildlife Conservation Strategy” of the massachusetts division of Fisheries and wildlife, the department of Fish and game, and the Executive office of Environmental Affairs. descriptions of three medium-scale habitats and four small-scale habitats form the basis for this list. This approach received strong support from the
table 1: wIldlIFe and Plants PotentIally at Pvrs PrIorIty habItats based on natural herItage endangered sPecIes
90 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: NHESP Management at PVRS 91
Common, Scientific name State StatuS/threatS habitatS
AnimAls
marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) State Threatened: populations are very small and localized; for unknown reasons, many
vernal pools do not support them; loss of wetland habitat major threat.
Largely terrestrial and generally occur in deciduous to mixed woods dominated by oak and hickory species with white pine; can live in a variety of habitats including moist, sandy areas and dry hillsides; hide beneath surface materials such as logs, bark, boards, stones, and drift that piles up along the margins of streams; wooded vernal pools or shallow depressions are required for breeding sites.
Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
State Special Concern: greatest threat is timber harvesting in and around forested wetlands; suitable nesting substrate.
Breeding habitat wetlands of grasses and sedges; species breeds in swamps dominated by red maple and vernal pools; adults terrestrial; generally found in forested areas near their breeding habitat; take refuge in wet moss, under fallen logs and other objects, in rotting wood, under stones or in leaf litter.
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pippins)
No State Status: declining population from habitat destruction, succession to closed-canopy woodlands, over-collecting; specific threats not well-known
Semi-terrestrial; spend summer months in open fields, marshes, and damp wooded habitats before returning to permanent water bodies to hibernate and breed the following spring; over-winters in wetland submerged under substrate debris or in hibernation pits
Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
State Special Concern: some population decline may be attributed to foot traffic and over-collection.
Require moist, vernal (temporary) ponds necessary for breeding and egg laying in moderately shaded environments; favor northern hardwood/hemlock forests occurring in glaciated areas having depressions available for seasonal flooding.
Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
State Special Concern: loss of wetland breeding habitat; protection of vernal pools (the breeding habitat) alone not sufficient to insure survival, as they live mostly in surrounding uplands*.
Require well-drained, upland* deciduous or mixed forest of alder, red maple, buttonbush, and dogwood within 250 to 1600 yards of a small vernal pool or pond; hide beneath leaf litter, loose soil, and stones, or in rotting logs, rodent burrows, or subterranean burrows which they excavate.
Two-striped Snout moth (Macrochilo bivittata) No State Status: declining population; loss of wetland habitat and disruption; pesticide
spraying. Inhabit open wetlands, marshes, and wet meadows; larval host(s) is/are undocumented, but are likely grasses and/or sedges.
Appalachian Coronet Butterfly(Hadena ecotype) No State Status: declining population; loss and degradation of habitat. Inhabit forest openings and edges with campions (Silene spp.), upon which larvae feed.
Eastern Veined White Butterfly (Pieris oleracea)
State Threatened: habitat loss and degradation; garlic-mustard (Alliaria petiolata), is either lethal to larvae or causes them to develop too slowly.
Inhabit undisturbed, mesic (moderate moisture), deciduous or mixed deciduous/coniferous forest with sunny, wet openings; larvae feed on two-leaved toothwort (Dentaria diphylla), Cardamine spp., Arabis spp., etc.
Attenuated Bluet Damselfly (Enallagma daeckii )
State Special Concern: threats include disturbance from human recreational activities and destruction of habitat for residential and other uses. most numerous swamps and vegetated stream backwaters; nymphs aquatic and live among aquatic and emergent vegetation and debris.
New England Bluet Damselfly (Enallagma laterale)
State Special Concern: destruction of breeding habitat via high-impact recreational use, such as ATV’s.
Found in still-water habitats; nymphs aquatic and live among aquatic vegetation and debris; spend a period of several days or more away from water to mature, thus important to maintain natural upland habitats near the ponds; adults inhabit emergent vegetation in wetlands and also fields and forest nearby.
Kennedy’s Emerald Damselfly (Somatochlora kennedyi)
State Endangered: exact needs not known; vulnerable to habitat alteration from salt and other run-off from roadways.
Inhabit small streams and red maple swamps; sometimes associated with streams flowing through open habitats, such as marshes and bogs.
Ski-tailed Emerald Damselfly (Somatochlora elongate)
State Endangered: exact needs not known; vulnerable to habitat alteration from salt and other run-off from roadways
Streams with moderate or very sluggish flow and dense or little emergent vegetation; found patrolling and ovipositing at the swelling of streams created in part by beaver dams; also inhabit highly vegetated ponds in near-flowing waters
Spatterdock darner (Aeshna mutata) State Special Concern: greatest threat likely the destruction or degradation of wetlands. Found in more ephemeral wetlands; nymphs are aquatic, living among aquatic vegetation and debris ponds; adults inhabit wooded
uplands and clearings.
Vernal Physa Snail (Physa vernalis) No State Status: loss of wetland habitat due to draining. declining population; found in ponds, ditches, temporary pools, small brooks.
Intricate Fairy Shrimp (Eubranchipus intricate)
State Special Concern: loss of ephemeral ponds due to development, forest cutting and excavations of basins containing vernal pools. Inhabit vernal ponds; found in deeper, less temporary, and more bowl-shaped pools.
table 1: wIldlIFe and Plants PotentIally at Pvrs PrIorIty habItats based on natural herItage endangered sPecIes, contInued
92 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: NHESP Management at PVRS 93
Common, Scientific name State StatuS/threatS habitatS
PlAnts
Purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)
Endangered: tree growth causing light reduction contributes to mortality; threatened by deer browsing; as the existing populations are small, reproduction failure contributes to population decline.
An early to mid-successional species, usually found on dry oak-pine woods and woodland borders; facultative wetland species; have been found along scrubby, lake shores and in vernal pools.
Smooth Rock-cress (Boechera levitate)
Special Concern: threatened by invasion of exotic plant species, heavy recreational uses, such as hiking, and ATV use damage plants; compaction or erosion of the soil.
Inhabit rich, open to shaded sites on dry to moist soils, rocky deciduous woods, rich rocky hillsides, ledges, rocky slopes, and floodplain thickets and woodlands; associated species are numerous and diverse depending on the habitat type, but may include sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white ash (Fraxinus americana), and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), ostrich fern (Mattueccia struthiopteris), and marginal wood-fern (Dryopteris marginalis) in the understory.
green Rock-cress (Boechera missouriensis)
Threatened: often over-shaded when habitat sites succeed to closed-canopy forest due to an absence of natural light or human-cause disturbances; invasive exotic shrubs and vines may over-shade or out-compete.
Inhabit non-acidic ledges in rocky woods and hills with full to filtered light exposure, and moist to dry soil; associated vegetation may include red oak (Quercus rubra), hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), polypody fern (Polypodium virginianum), pale corydalis (Corydalis sempervirens), and pussytoes (Antennaria spp).
Bailey’s Sedge(Carex baileyi) Threatened: drastic alteration of soils, hydrology or the forest canopy may have negative
impacts on a population.
Found in swampy areas, including sedge meadows and shrub wetlands; specific habitats include wooded swamp and wet, shrubby woodland; herbaceous species observed in association include mannagrass (Glyceria spp.), New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), rough-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago rugosa), whorled wood aster (Eurybia divaricata), turtlehead (Chelone glabra), Joe-pye-weed (Eupatorium maculatum) and rough bedstraw (Galium asprellum); woody species include sugar maple (Acer saccharum), black birch (Betula lenta), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and several species of willow (Salix spp.).
Nodding Chickweed (Cerastium nutans)
Endangered: excessive shading due to canopy closure and competition from exotic invasive or aggressive native plants are potential threats.
Inhabit rock outcrops, rocky slopes, and rocky woods; soil moisture ranges from dry to moist; all occurrences are in forests or woodlands with at least a partially open canopy; never recorded east of the Connecticut River.
Hemlock Parsley (Conioselinum chinense)
Special Concern: grow best in delicate environments, such as cold swamps and wet forests;
any disturbance of these habitats, or change in the moisture regime or particular habitat,
negatively impacts populations.
Usually found in swamps, wet meadows, and marshy forests; can tolerate shady environments and wet, acidic soils, although it is usually found in less acidic (near neutral to limy) wetlands; often found in association with eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), red maple (Acer rubrum), and red oak (Quercus rubra).
great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Endangered: disturbance can spawn establishment of invasive exotic plant species that can out-compete native plants for nutrients and light; invasive plants of concern are oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), and Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii).
Inhabit wetlands and transitional habitats (wet meadows, swamps, stream sides, moist woodland borders, and thicket edges of fields); plants generally favor open areas or those with light shade, but have also been found in small openings of wooded areas or in shrub thickets; commonly encountered with calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), and late goldenrod (Solidago gigantea); wetter habitats (such as stream sides) plants include spotted Joe-pye-weed (Eutrochium maculatum), orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), and fowl meadow-grass (Glyceria striata).
Adder’s Tongue Fern (ophioglossum pusillum)
Threatened: appear to need increased light from canopy opening or forest clearing; invasive
species impinge on populations; removal of invasive plants would leave space and less
shade for the fern.
Borders of marshes and moist woodland clearings provide suitable open and sunny habitat; vegetation composed predominantly of common grasses, bulrushes (Scirpus), sedges (Carex), and broadleaved herbs including small purple fringed, and white fringed orchis (Platanthera lacera, P. psycodes, and P. blephariglottis), and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).
ginseng (Panax cinquefoils) Special Concern: threatened because of harvesting of the root and habitat destruction.
Favor cool, well-drained soils of rich, moist deciduous woods; can be found on rocky slopes, including the tops of ledges, along a creek at the base of a fern-covered slopes, and various rich mesic forest habitats; associated species include sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white ash (Fraxinus americana), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), wild leek (Allium tricoccum), showy orchis (Orchis spectabilis), butternut (Juglans cinerea), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), dewey’s sedge (Carex deweyana), wake-robin (Trillium erectum), and a variety of ferns (including Dryopteris spinulosa, Dryopteris goldiana, Polystichum acrostichoides, and Adiantum pedantum).
downy Arrow-wood (Viburnum rafinesquianum)
Endangered: browsing by deer and feeding by the non-native Viburnum Leaf Beetle
(Pyrrhalta viburni) could be detrimental.
Found on open rocky ridgelines, lightly wooded summits, and dry rocky slopes; associated canopy species include red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Q. alba), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and white ash (Fraxinus americanus); vines may include poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans).
table 1: wIldlIFe and Plants PotentIally at Pvrs PrIorIty habItats based on natural herItage endangered sPecIes, contInued
* The term “upland”, used frequently in this context refers to land 200’ or more above the wetland’s high water mark.Source: mass Fish and wildlife Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program, http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/mesa_list/mesa_list.htm
94 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: NHESP Management at PVRS 95
Upon completion of this, “active management of rare plant populations (including invasive species removal) is subject to review under the massachusetts Endangered Species Act, and should be planned in close consultation with the massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP).”
Vegetation Zones & Priority Habitats
WTL
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oadBennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Priority Habitats
Meadows Spring Seeps
Woodlands Wetlands
HIF
PVPWPF
SWL
FFZ
FFZ
FFZ
EPF
RCL
MSD
MSD
WTL
WS
RPF
Vegetation ZonesEast Pine Forest Red Pine Forest
Field-forest zone Shrub Wetland
Hitchcock Island Forest Wetland
Mixed Successional Disturbed West Pine Forest
Potential Vernal Pool Wetland Spring
Ravine to Critical Landscape
WPF
SWL
WS
WTL
RPF
FFZ
HIF
PVP
EPF
MSD
RCL
MSD
MSD
MSD
WS
Priority Habitats closest to Vegetation Zones with invasive plants have the greatest management needs.
table 2: management oF wIldlIFe and Plants at Pvrs PrIorIty locatIons
Based upon existing habitat conditions at Pioneer, this table, based upon the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program (NHESP), includes animals and plants that fit any one of the following categories: rare, threatened, endangered, or populations in decline. It has been adjusted to include only PVRS locations based on consultation with the massachusetts department of Fish and wildlife (French, 2012). Before management implementation begins in the priority habitats, a comprehensive NHESP assessment should occur.
Common Scientific Name management Considerations
Potential Vegetation
ZonesAnimAls
water Shrew (Sorex plasters)
Protect vernal areas and areas around wooded wetlands and springs.
PVP, SwL, wS, wTL
king Rail (Rallus elegant) Protect wetlands from invasive plants. wTL
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) keep snags and other perching vegetation in woods and wetlands. EPF, HIF, SwL,
wPF, wTL
American woodcock (Scolopax minor)
Encourage native woody species by managing invasives; increase population via small clear-cuts during timber operations; maintain early successional areas adjacent to wetlands.
mSd, RPF, wTL
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
Encourage growth of native shrubs with more robust forest-lawn transition zones. FFZ , mSd
Blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus)
Promote even, structural diversity, especially those composed of a mosaic of shrub, herb and woody vegetation (less than 15’ tall).
HIF, mSd, wPF,
wS, wTL
Canada warbler (Wilsonia condenses)
Promote increased understory vegetation density and reduce deer density.
SwL, PVP, wS, wTL,
white-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)
Protect areas of second growth, such as beaver meadows, forests affected by insects, and areas of low, dense trees near tree line.
EPF, HIF,
mSd, wPF
Field Sparrow (Spizella pupil)
Encourage growth of native shrubs with more robust forest-lawn transition zones. FFZ, HIF
Ribbon Snake(Thamnophis sauritus)
Carefully design trails and walkways to eliminate fragmenting habitat.
PVP, SwLwS, wTL,
Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
Protect edges adjacent to wetlands with pollinator habitat from mowing EPF, HIF, PVP,
RCL, SwL, wPF, wS
Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)
Carefully consider trail design and location around vernal pools in upland forests or timing of their use during extremely hot periods; leave slash piles after forest cutting.
EPF, HIF, PVP, SwL, wPF, wS,wTL
96 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: NHESP Management at PVRS 97
Vegetation Zones & Priority Habitats
WTL
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Priority Habitats
Meadows Spring Seeps
Woodlands Wetlands
HIF
PVPWPF
SWL
FFZ
FFZ
FFZ
EPF
RCL
MSD
MSD
WTL
WS
RPF
Vegetation ZonesEast Pine Forest Red Pine Forest
Field-forest zone Shrub Wetland
Hitchcock Island Forest Wetland
Mixed Successional Disturbed West Pine Forest
Potential Vernal Pool Wetland Spring
Ravine to Critical Landscape
WPF
SWL
WS
WTL
RPF
FFZ
HIF
PVP
EPF
MSD
RCL
MSD
MSD
MSD
WS
Priority Habitats closest to Vegetation Zones with invasive plants have the greatest management needs.
table 2: management oF wIldlIFe and Plants at Pvrs PrIorIty locatIons, continued
Common Scientific Name management Considerations
Potential Vegetation
Zonesmarbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Protect vernal pools and surrounding upland habitats as this species needs both for survival.
AnimAls
Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
Carefully consider trail design and location around vernal pools in upland forests.
PVP, SwL, wS, wTL
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pippins)
Protect wooded wetlands from excessive traffic, especially over wet areas; perhaps build bridges over wet areas to allow migration.
HIF, PVP, SwL
Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
Carefully consider trail design and location around vernal pools in upland forests.
HIF, wS, wTL
Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
go beyond vernal pool preservation; reduce glossy buckthorn in wetland that is suppressing speckled alder; carefully consider trail design and location around vernal pools in upland forests.
wTL
Two-striped Snout moth (Macrochilo bivittata) Reduce invasives that limit grasses and sedges in wetlands. HIF, FFZ,
oPF,
Appalachian Coronet Butterfly (Hadena ecotype)
Plant Silene in rain garden and pollinator habitats. FFZ, HIF,
Eastern Veined white Butterfly(Pieris oleracea)
Eliminate/suppress garlic mustard; plant two-leaved toothwort (Dentaria diphylla), Cardamine spp., Arabis spp. in pollinator and rain gardens.
PVP, SwLwS, wTL,
Attenuated Bluet Damselfly (Enallagma daeckii)
Focus on maintaining water quality, protecting wetlands and adjoining upland buffers (crucial to maturing adults), installing rain gardens and pollinator habitats to clean water.
PVP, SwL,
wS, wTL
New England Bluet Damselfly (Enallagma laterale)
Construct rain gardens to improve run-off quality; restrict ATV use in wetland areas; reduce mowing along edges adjacent to wetlands.
SwL, wTL, wS,
kennedy’s Emerald Damselfly (Somatochlora kennedyi)
manage road salt carefully. wS
Ski-tailed Emerald Damselfly (Somatochlora elongate)
Construct rain gardens to improve run-off quality. SwL, wS, wTL,
Spatterdock darner (Aeshna mutata) Construct rain gardens to improve run-off quality. HIF, wS,
wTL
Vernal Physa Snail (Physa vernalis) PVP , wTP
98 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: NHESP Management at PVRS 99
Vegetation Zones & Priority Habitats
WTL
Feet
0 250 500
N
Low Point
HighPoint
Route
142 Rail R
oad
Bennett Brook Road
Old Bernardston Road
F. Su
mner Turner Road
BiologyPond
Priority Habitats
Meadows Spring Seeps
Woodlands Wetlands
HIF
PVPWPF
SWL
FFZ
FFZ
FFZ
EPF
RCL
MSD
MSD
WTL
WS
RPF
Vegetation ZonesEast Pine Forest Red Pine Forest
Field-forest zone Shrub Wetland
Hitchcock Island Forest Wetland
Mixed Successional Disturbed West Pine Forest
Potential Vernal Pool Wetland Spring
Ravine to Critical Landscape
WPF
SWL
WS
WTL
RPF
FFZ
HIF
PVP
EPF
MSD
RCL
MSD
MSD
MSD
WS
Priority Habitats closest to Vegetation Zones with invasive plants have the greatest management needs.
Common Scientific Name management Considerations
Potential Vegetation
ZonesIntricate Fairy Shrimp (Eubranchipus intricate) Consider forest management practices around vernal pools. PVP, SwL
PlAnts
Purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens) Protect from succession, erosion, and recreation. mSd
Smooth Rock-cress(Boechera levitate)
monitor sites for invasions of exotic plants, such as garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii), and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).
HIF, RCL
green Rock-cress (Boechera missouriensis)
monitor sites for over-shading caused by forest succession and for invasive plant species; manage sites that do not receive enough light by canopy thinning or prescribed burning.
HIF
Bailey’s Sedge (Carex baileyi)
Selectively thin the forest canopy to prevent excess shading to improve the health of populations; monitor results of such manipulations closely.
SwL , wTL
Nodding Chickweed (Cerastium nutans)
Thin the canopy or other vegetation control may be warranted as not much is really known about this species HIF
Hemlock Parsley (Conioselinum chinense)
Protect wetlands such as swamps from disturbance; maintain undeveloped buffer habitat; avoid trail access to population areas; minimize trampling impacts.
SwL, wTL
great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
maintain habitat quality; maintain open areas of vigorous populations from any disturbance. wTL, wS
Adder’s Tongue Fern (ophioglossum pusillum) Mow field habitats once a year during the spring. wTL, wS
ginseng (Panax cinquefoils)
Leave forest canopies undisturbed, because ginseng does not grow in open sun; Required rich woods are not widespread so there are limited areas available for the species to do well; fragmented condition of the forest habitat may interfere with natural reestablishment; impede access to ginseng areas to avoid trampling; reroute paths or fencing; publish growth locations.
HIF
downy Arrow-wood (Viburnum rafinesquianum)
monitor sites for deer browsing or defoliation by the Viburnum Leaf Beetle protect sensitive, open, rocky woods and summits from recreational overuse; buffer known locations from activities that cause direct impacts to populations or alter light or moisture conditions. (Invasion by non-native plants such as Buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.) has been identified at one site.)
HIF
table 2: management oF wIldlIFe and Plants at Pvrs PrIorIty locatIons, continued
Management Type Plan View Section View
Coppice with standards: originally developed in Europe to provide fuel and timber, it could prove useful for small accessible tracts. Also know as 'crop trees,' standards are favored for producing high quality timber and veneers. Reserve trees are kept to obtain maximum size, provide mast (e.g. acorns, beechnuts) for wildlife, and aesthetic reasons. A great method for a forest managed for firewood. This method requires about 55 standards (potential crops trees) per acre.
(does Not Apply)
Advantages: maintains continuous forest cover with minimal impact visually. Provides regeneration conditions favoring 'mid-tolerant' species, like oak, that favor middle light conditions for regeneration.Disadvantages: Requires a high skill level for success. Higher costs for inventory, marketing and harvesting. Lower yield at each harvest and large crowns may damage other tree when harvested.
High grading / diameter limit: often disguised as 'selective' harvesting where the most profitable trees are removed with little or no consideration given to future conditions. This has a negative long-term impact on the economic value and the forest's health. In even aged stands, it's the poorly growing trees that should be harvested releasing the larger more productive trees to fill out. Poor trees can be girdled to support habitats for a wide range of wildlife.
Advantages: harvesting can produce short term income requiring minimal skill and cost. Increases heterogeneity in forest as trees grow.Disadvantages: Long term loss of productivity and harvest intervals. Remaining culls and slow growing trees require extra management. Area trees can be damaged during harvesting with loss of mid tolerant species like oak. detrimental to wildlife species requiring early stage (successional) habitat. group Selection/ Patch Cutting: A hybrid incorporating features from selection and silviculture clear-cutting methods. This process removes groups of trees within a predefined area scattered throughout the stand, leaving undisturbed forest in between similar conditions created by a severe microburst wind event. It enhances certain types of habitat and can create multiple aged conditions within a parcel. multiple aged stands provide a greater diversity of regeneration species giving a healthy success of growth.
Advantages: allows regeneration of shade intolerant species without clear-cutting while providing the owner periodic income. Also makes a range of habitats from early to late successional (stage) forests.Disadvantages: Patchwork forestry increases management costs. Patches must be large enough to accommodate for mid-light and low-light species need more light. deer can concentrate feeding in the recent patches while residual trees near the edges may be susceptible to damage.
Excerpted from “Regeneration Handbook”
Management Type Plan View Section ViewSilviculture clear-cutting: To many people's amazement this forest management strategy, when properly planned and executed, is a legitimate and indispensable regeneration method. Certain species, such an white birch and aspen develop under full light conditions. The methods works more effectively when the forest stand has been badly damaged by insects, diseases or invasive exotics where complete removal and restart would be most effective. Produces an important stage called early succession.
Advantages: easiest method to mark and harvest, high diversity of grasses and forbs necessary until crown closure. Provides early successional habitat needs for many local species, such as woodcock.Disadvantages: Aesthetically less desirable for the general public. Susceptible to soil erosion and invasive exotics if not property managed.Shelterwood: this method regenerates new forest under the shelter of older trees by mimicking disturbances in which only the healthiest tree survive. The best growing, most desirable trees in the stand remain during the initial harvest. These overstory trees provide a seed source and cover for the regenerating forest. Simultaneously, extra growth will be gained on the best stems, increasing stand value. The new forest will be essentially even-aged. The regeneration method can be applied in one, two or three harvesting stages, depending on the biological, physical and economic conditions. This method dovetails well with recreational and habitat objectives.
Advantages: Aesthetically, it produces park-like tableau of large canopied trees with and understory over a carpet of new regeneration and wildflower. Tree like oak that can grow in moderate light, benefit from the strategy where more light reaches the forest floor supporting their growth. Additionally, since larger trees remain, the genetics from selective cutting and harvesting for size becomes amplified, thereby increasing long term timber productivity.
Disadvantages: this strategy require a high skill level for several reasons. A market for smaller trees must be found. From the exposure to different wind patterns, remaining trees can become damaged and water sprout form, reducing the tree's market value. And if debris from cutting it not removed or chipped, emerging tree could be damaged.
Reserve tree/seed tree: Similar to clearcut, although more aesthetically pleasing since not all of the large over story tree are removed. Similar to the shelterwood method, a few seed tree get left scattered throughout the stand. The best and healthiest tree remain, while everything else is cleared one time. Since it leaves a fewer number of tree species, habitat enrichment by additional planting of other species may be necessary.
Advantages: more appealing to look at than clearcut while providing conditions similar to clearcut, making it easier to manage invasive plant routines. Provides hunting roost for raptors and other birds. Reserve trees can serve as food seed source for wildlife. Disadvantages: Forest become susceptible to 'wind-throw', where trees are uprooted or broken by wind and lightning damage. Tree tops or crowns from reserve trees can break and damage the next harvesting operation.
100 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Forest Management Strategies 101
aPPendix: Forest Management Strategies
PIONEER VALLEY PHOTOVOLTAICS COOPERATIVE
311 Wells Street, Suite B, Greenfield MA 01301 413.772.8788 413.772.8668 fax
www.pvsquared.coop [email protected] MA Elec. Lic. A13764 MA HIC 140077
Pioneer Valley Regional School: Pioneering Stewardship Plan
Solar Energy Generation Analysis Prepared by PV Squared - 18 March 2013
Solar electric technology, or photovoltaics, provides an opportunity for site based generation of electricity from a clean, renewable source, representing a great value to facilities with large physical plants and high utility demand.
In the current Massachusetts market, grid interconnected solar projects see a savings on their utility bill via a net metering credit with the utility, and also earn Solar Renewable Energy Credits, or SRECs, which are a market based incentive that represents a cash income stream to the owner. Entities that are tax exempt or otherwise cannot utilize tax based incentives will typically see attractive savings over the term of a project that they own, even without the tax savings as part of the modeled payback. Such entities might also look to third-party ownership of a solar energy project, one example of which might be a lease. In this scenario, the third party would own the project and be able to access the tax credit, and the tax exempt entity would work out an agreement to have the right to the project’s electrical energy generation. Either scenario should offer cost savings over time when compared to paying the utility for power.
The land management plan prepared by Future Lands Design shows an approximately 2.5 acre area to the north of the school reserved for a photovoltaic array for solar energy generation. A wide range of factors including site conditions, mounting equipment used, and efficiency of the solar equipment will impact amount of energy produced. Below are some general comments about what a ground mounted solar energy project at Pioneer Valley Regional School could look like:
Depending on the equipment chosen and the mounting pattern, typically between 500-1500 solar panels can be installed per acre, or 1250-3750 over a 2.5 acre area.
Depending on the nameplate kw capacity and the efficiency of the solar panels, this could represent a solar array with a nameplate capacity between 312.5 kw and 1226.25 kw.
Annual energy production, in kWh of AC electricity, of this solar array could range between 381,453 kWh and 1,577,056 kWh, assuming ideal shading conditions.
Annual electric savings, assuming a $0.10/kWh net metering credit from the utility, can range from $38,145 to $157,705.
Income from SREC sales could range from $68,500 to $551,900 annually, during the qualified term in that market – currently an 8 year term.
Solar energy represents an excellent opportunity to control energy costs and offer budget savings on while raising the school’s profile in terms of promoting sustainability. Initial project costs for ownership are significant, but should represent savings and return on initial investment over time. Third party ownership typically allows a much lower initial investment, though having a third party involved may mean less savings over the life of the project. Both scenarios are worth exploring and are likely to offer great financial and environmental value to Pioneer Valley Regional School as part of planning for a resilient future.
Management Type Plan View Section ViewUnmanaged Forest/ Forest Preserve: where the vegetation goes unmanaged by any human intervention, slow changes accumulate gradually through natural mortality of individual trees. The opposite scenario is as likely to occurs as well: suddenly and catastrophically through the action of fire, weather or rampart disease a disruption occurs entirely changing the forest’s functions. Responsible stewardship requires that all forests have a management plan with a detailed map. where hiking trails are present, safety considerations for hazard trees should be included. The plan should also include strategies for monitoring and controlling exotic invasive species such as burning bush and honeysuckle, that threaten the integrity of native populations.
Advantages: Easy to implement, maintains a shady forest cover, higher number of habitat trees left standing, favors shed tolerant species like hemlock, beech and maple.
Disadvantages: No income, unplanned and uncontrolled changes happen. Prone to disease and infestations, lower diversity over time. Selection method: Used to create uneven or multiage forest stands. Individual trees of mature or declining health get harvested in a way that minimizes disturbance to the residual stand. The openings created for regeneration, however, tend to provide favorable conditions for slower goring shade-tolerant species. The method is not the same as selective cutting also known high grading, which has no scientific forestry practice.
Advantages: maintains continuous forest cover with low visual impact while providing some income. Able to remove declining trees. Harvest schedule can be adjusted to market conditions.Disadvantages: High skill requirement for successful implementation more expensive to manage, mark for inventory and harvest. may result in lower output of marketable wood. Leads to long term loss of diversity. Higher potential for damage to residual trees.
102 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Photovoltaics - buy or lease? 103
aPPendix: Photovoltaics - Buy or Lease?
104 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Grants & Foundations 105
aPPendix: Grants & Foundations
Source Major Focus Contact/Website Due $$$
William P. Wharton trust
Supports the study and conservation of nature in its broadest form on the local, national, and international scenes.
http://www.williampwhartontrust.org/ open Not
Specified
USDa - People’s Garden Grant Program
Facilitates the creation of produce, recreation, and/or wildlife gardens in urban and rural areas, which will provide opportunities for science-based informal education. Successful applicants will provide micro-subgrant support to smaller local projects.
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/peoplesgardengrantprogram.cfm
August Not Specified
togetherGreen innovation Program
Enables Audubon groups and their partners to engage new and diverse audiences in conservation action and create healthier communities
www.togethergreen.org/grants may $5,000 to $80,000
Roy a. Hunt Foundation Grants
Facilitates the protection and conservation of natural resources and healthy ecosystems by supporting sustainable solutions to root causes of environmental damage.
http://www.rahuntfdn.org/apply.shtml August Not
Specified
Project Learning tree’s GreenWorks! Grant Program
Blends service activities with an academic curriculum and addresses real community needs as action projects make a difference in young people’s sense of responsibility toward their communities and in their understanding of their relationship to the environment.
http://www.plt.org/applyforagrant Sept 30 $1,000
orton Family Foundation Heart & Soul community Planning Funds
Provides technical/financial assistance that helps to unlock potential by identifying local values, building a vision from them, and prioritizing actions.
http://www.orton.org/who/heart_soul July
Cash/In kind
resources up to
$25,000
This Could Be Pioneer!
106 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Grants & Foundations 107
Source Major Focus Contact/Website Due $$$
Five Star Restoration Grant
Support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. Integrates meaningful environmental education into the restoration project either through community outreach, participation, and/or integration with k-12 environmental curriculum.
http://www.nfwf.org/Am/Template.cfm?Section=Charter_Programs_List&TEmPLATE=/Cm/Contentdisplay.cfm&CoNTENTId=18198
mid - February
Not Specified
Fields Pond Foundation
Provides financial assistance to nature and land conservation organizations that are community-based and that serve to increase environmental awareness by involving local residents in conservation issues. offers grants for trail making and other enhancement of public access to conservation lands, rivers, coastlines and other natural resources.
http://www.fieldspond.org/index.htm None Not
Specified
Minnesota-based cherbec advancement Foundation (no web site)
offers a wide variety of environmental, educational and other charitable causes in New England.
Requests for funding should be directed to: Charles A. weyerhaeuser, President, 30 East Seventh St., Suite 2000, St. Paul, mN 55101-4930, (651) 228-0935.
open Not Specified
Sharpe Family Foundation (no web page)
Provides grants to a number of environmental and educational organizations. Requests for funding should be in the form of a letter describing needs and interests.
Henry d. Sharpe Jr. c/o Amy E. Szostak, Northern Trust, 50 S. Lasalle St., Chicago, IL 60675, (312) 630-6000.
open Not Specified
community Foundation of Western Ma Grant
Encourages creative and collaborative responses to existing or emerging problems or opportunities and projects that leverage additional support for programs from other private and public funding sources.
http://www.communityfoundation.org/nonprofits/criteria.html
August Not Specified
community Forest and open Space conservation Program
Helps communities and Indian tribes to manage forests, including recreation, income, and environmental education.
http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml
mid -october
Not Specified
Source Major Focus Contact/Website Due $$$
nRcS conservation innovation Grant proposals
Stimulates the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production.
USdA Natural Resources Conservation Service, 451 west Street, Amherst, mA 01002, 413-253-4368; [email protected].
marchUp to
$75,000 for 3 years
north QuabbinRegional Landscape Partnership Small Grants Program
Provides funding for land protection transaction fees, including title reviews, appraisals, legal fees and other closing costs, registry fees, surveys, baseline reports, land protection estate planning, municipal circuit grant writers, and other related fees.
http://www.nqpartnership.org/sgp.htm may
Up to $4000/ cycle
national Grid
Supports educational opportunities that assist people of all ages and advances their opportunities for self-sufficiency. The Foundation seeks to develop partnerships with outstanding organizations that benefit the communities.
http://www.nationalgridus.com/commitment/d3-6_giving.asp
Rolling thru oct
31
$5000 to $25,000
national Fish & Wildlife Foundation invasive Species Grant
Seeks proposals that will help control invasive plant species, mostly through the work of public/private partnerships such as cooperative weed management areas.
http://www.nfwf.org 6/30/2013 Not Specified
Ma DcR Recreational trails Grant Programs environmental trust
Supports a range of projects that benefit the waters of massachusetts.
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/greenway/regionalgrants.htm
october
Lowes toolbox for education Grants
meets the goals and dreams of a school.
http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/index.html
mid -october
up to $5000
norman Foundation
Strengthens the ability of communities to determine their own economic, environmental and social well-being and helps people control those forces that affect their lives.
http://normanfdn.org open Not Specified
copeland Family Foundation (no web site)
Provides grants to a large number of educational, health and environmental programs and organizations in massachusetts.
Letters should be addressed to: Copeland Family Foundation, c/o martha Verdone, 1183 Randolph Avenue, milton, mA 02186.
open Not Specified
eaSteR FoundationFocuses on education, arts, sustainability, technology, environment and rights.
http://easterfoundation.org open Not Specified
108 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Developing A Trail System 109Karen Dunn | John C. Lepore | Susannah Spock CAROLINA HILL RESERVATION: A Framework for Conservation Land Management, MARSHFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION 19The Conway School Spring 2011
Permitting Any disturbance to the natural environment has impacts, and trails are no exception. Trail construction or maintenance should make every effort to do no harm. Ideally trails should be routed to avoid sensitive resources such as streams and wetlands, rare species habitats, and sensitive cultural sites. However, trail development within or alongside of sensitive areas is often necessary and justifiable. Streams need to be crossed, steep slopes traversed, and unique features interpreted. Allowing controlled access to sensitive ecological or cultural areas may also be an integral part of educating the public about the value of protecting these resources. When sensitive areas cannot be avoided, trail builders have legal and ethical obligations to minimize impacts by going through the proper regulatory procedures. In Massachusetts, activities occurring within 100 feet of a coastal or inland wetland or within 200 feet of a perennial stream or river are governed by the Wetlands Protection Act. Among the many activities regulated by this act are changing run-off characteristics, diverting surface water, and the destruction of plant life – activities commonly associated with trail building and maintenance. If trail-building activities will occur within 100 feet of a wetland or 200 feet of stream or river you must file a “Request for Determination of Applicability” (RDA) form (http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/approvals/wpaform1.pdf) with the Marshfield conservation commission.
Elements: Recognizing Problem Trails
Trail Life Cycle
Stage 1: New trail
Stage 2: Lightly worn trail
Stage 3: Trail needing repair
Stage 4: Trail beyond repair
Presented here are several problematic trail conditions. The next few sheets present potential solutions.
Deep TrenchingA trenched trail makes a hiker feel as though they are traveling in the bottom of a half-pipe. Without maintenance, this situation worsens with every storm, as runoff cuts the trench deeper and increases the flow rate. A major threat to water quality from sedimentation, trenched trails require immediate attention.
Excessive WideningTrails can become widened from single or double tracks to a wide “freeway” from poor trail design and lack of guidance along the trail, such as stones lining path edges. This common occurrence usually indicates a section that is plagued by poor drainage or some other condition users need to avoid, such as muddy areas.
ShortcutsFrequently users will take the shortest distance between two points to avoid a wet spot, disregarding the designated trail, and a web of trails is created. This can create excessive and unnecessary erosion problems. To prevent this, trails should be clearly marked and properly maintained. Often this means adding barriers, such as rocks or brush to avoid cutting. When a steep grade demands a switchback, the trail should be wide or curved enough that the trail return remains invisible. Shortcuts should be closed and vegetated to prevent future user.
Saturated SoilsEven small areas with wet soils can deteriorate quickly into muddy areas where users begin to widen the trail. This degrades natural resources such as water quality. Raising the tread crown can remedy the problem and provide a more positive user experience.
Duplicate trails should be blocked and re-vegetated.
To prevent habitat degradation and for the convenience of users, trails cutting though wet areas either need crowning if seasonal, or a bridge or boardwalk.
These excessively worn trails have degraded beyond realistic repair and should be closed by blocking with brush and rerouting.
Excessive widening increases rapid runoff and sedimentation of waterways.
aPPendix: Developing A Trail Systemseveral ProblematIc traIl condItIons
110 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Developing A Trail System 111
Karen Dunn | John C. Lepore | Susannah Spock CAROLINA HILL RESERVATION: A Framework for Conservation Land Management, MARSHFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION 20The Conway School Spring 2011
Trail ditch cut min 1’-0”
Trail
WaterbarsWaterbars divert water runoff away from a trail or road. They can be ridden over if buried correctly at 75% of diameter. These would be especially useful under the power line to help control erosion.
Crowned TrailTrails on hilly terrain less than 20% grade can be crowned to improve drainage.
Downslope DitchTrails across steep terrain of greater than 20% can improve drainage and reduce erosion while still allowing travel. Trails should have a cross slope draining to a down slope ditch.
• Carefully remove all vegetation from the trail, using it in other locations where possible.
• Cut a ditch along the lower edge of the trail and remove soil for use in another location as needed. The ditch should be at least 1 foot depending on the topography. Steeper slopes will need to be deeper, since runoff will be traveling faster.
• The image below shows a retrofitted trail.
Cross Section`
Cross Section`
Plan View
Cross Section`
Two 1/2” x 16” rebar approx 6” from ends
60o Waterflow
Top of Slope
Downhill side of trail
Trail
Frequency of installation increases with steepness
Cribbed stairs on a steep grade improve safety and reduce erosion. The east side of CHR under the utility lines would benefit greatly from a series of waterbars.
5 1/
2”
Riser
Backfill with gravel or crushed stone
8” to 16” Tread
Two 1/2” x 16” rebar
approx. 6” from ends
Cross Section
Plan View
Elevation
Boulders prevent short-cutting and degradation
Cribbed StairsCribbed steps are ideal for steep slope remediation where walking and running are the primary uses. To prevent users from leaving the steps and causing erosion, “gargoyles” (boulders) should be positioned on either side of the structure. This structure must be posted as closed to bicycles and is not ADA-accessible.
Note: Rot-resistant on-site white oak could be logged and milled with a portable mill to make any of these structures.
6” x 6” or 4” x 6” or equiv.
Cross Section
Cross Section
Plan View
3/4 buried
Trail Crown
traIl erosIon solutIons
112 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Developing A Trail System 113
Karen Dunn | John C. Lepore | Susannah Spock CAROLINA HILL RESERVATION: A Framework for Conservation Land Management, MARSHFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION 21The Conway School Spring 2011
Bridges and walkways allow human activities with minimal habitat interferences.
BridgesFor use over wet areas where minimal disturbance of the bottom sediment ensures healthy aquatic life and improves overall water quality. Footings should be dug with a posthole digger away from the water’s edge preferably during low levels.
Rot resistant white oak could be harvested from CHR and milled on a portable band saw mill.
ADA Accessibility – New RulingsIn 2011, the Department of Justice (DOJ) revised rules went into effect allowing “other power-driven mobility devices” to be used by “individuals with mobility disabilities. This DOJ ruling applies to any place, indoors or outdoors, that is open to the public. Under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II this DOJ rule applies to trails on state or local government lands. The ADA Title III also applies to other “public accommodations” that would include trails open to the public on privately or commercially managed lands.
(American Trails, 2011)
Trails should be routed to avoid greater than a 5% slope.
Wet areas in lowlands where streams cross the trail need a bridge or boardwalk
Plan View
255’265’ 245’
Contour
Preferred Traversing Trail
Traversing TrailGenerally trails should travel with the land’s contours instead of cutting perpendicular up the steepest slope. This is especially important for universal access.
Inaccessible & erosion prone trail
Cement filled 8-10” tubes dug 36” with a post hole digger during a dry time of year to minimize impact
Extend kick rail with logs or rocks for visibility
2”x 6”x 6’ white oak with 1/4” to 1/2” gaps
2”x 6” stringers2” x”4 Kick rail on 4” x 4” blocks 3’ O.C.
Plan View
Trail DrainsTrail drains should be installed at locations along the trails where normal cross slope will not allow adequate drainage. To protect trail, these should be placed every 25 to 50 feet.
Area added for runoff
Depth to below frost line
wet areas, draInage, & accessIbIlIty
114 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design
Karen Dunn | John C. Lepore | Susannah Spock CAROLINA HILL RESERVATION: A Framework for Conservation Land Management, MARSHFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION 22The Conway School Spring 2011
Why Strive for Consistent Signs?
Appropriate trail signs and markings provide information, enhance safety, and contribute to a positive user experience. Trail signs are perhaps the most important form of communication with users, as signs are the message they see every time they visit. Consistent signs should enhance safety, create a positive trail identity, help meet user expectations, and contribute to the public’s support for trails.
There are four basic types: • Trailhead signs and kiosks • Intersection directional signs • Reassurance markers and blazes
• Interpretive displays
It is important to consider the different purposes of each type of sign and use appropriately. For example, using reassurance blazes to indicate allowed trail uses is probably inappropriate because it may require more blazing, and is very difficult to change if the allowed uses change. On the other hand, using trailhead signs to designate allowed uses is simpler to implement, requires much less maintenance, and can be easily changed.
General Trail Sign Standards The following are general trail sign standards.
• Signs within a site should be consistent with respect to colors, materials, and look. Ideally, adjacent facilities, such as picnic tables, will also be consistent.
• According to DCR, the ideal trail sign standard should be routed brown signs (wood or plastic composite material) with white lettering.
• Routed signs are aesthetically appealing and resistant to damage and vandalism. Aluminum trail signs are not recommended since they are easily vandalized.
Naming Trails DCR recommends: “Trail names can be an important element of the outdoor experience and can help draw visitors onto the trail. The “Blue Heron Trail,” “Summit Trail,” or the “Round the Mountain Trail” convey to the user information about the wildlife, destination, or experience that lies ahead. Trails named for blaze colors, memorializing a trail advocate or designating a DCR management component may not be as appealing, functional or memorable for users. Whenever possible, utilize trail names that suggest an attractive destination, introduce the natural, cultural or historical context for the trail, or otherwise capture the imagination and experience of the intended user. Please keep in mind that not all trails need to be or should be named.” (DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual)
Consistent signs provide useful information, enhance safety, and contribute to the user’s positive experience.
Trailhead Signs Trailhead kiosks or signs may come in different forms depending on the setting, complexity, and information needs.
Intersection Directional Signs Intersection directional signs are the most important source of information for users, and can serve to enhance safety, avoid bad user experiences, and increase use of under-used sections of the trail. If someone knows that there is a waterfall, lake, or other attraction down the trail, they may be tempted to hike to it and thus increase visitation to that destination.
Kiosks at Bear Swamp entrances are attractive.
Simple signs at the trailhead greet and give valuable information to the user.
Trail intersection signs help the user avoid confusion and enjoy the experience.
Directional Change Indicators Double blazes should be used in places that require extra user alertness (e.g. important turns, junctions with other trails, and other confusing locations). These should be used sparingly to avoid becoming meaningless or visually obtrusive. Blazes are unnecessary at gradual turns and well-defined trail locations such as switchbacks.
A reassurance marker should be placed so that it can be seen from the direction indicator. Be sure to mark confusing areas to guide users coming from both (or all) directions. Avoid arrows since they can be confusing.
Selected sections edited and taken from DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual, 2010 available at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/greenway/docs/DCR_guidelines.pdf
The three types of ‘reassurance markers’ used on state and national trails to clearly direct users.
This Way Caution Right Turn
traIl sIgns
116 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Ecosystem Services 117
Cultural
Spiritual Aesthetics Tourism Recreation
k Spiritual experience and a sense of place (Nature is a common element in all major religions; natural landscapes also form local identity and a sense of belonging;
k Aesthetic appreciation and inspiration for culture, art and design; k Tourism to provide considerable economic benefit and provide
a vital source of income for many countries; and k Recreation and mental and physical health.
haBItat & support
Species Diversity
Genetic Diversity
k Habitats for species that provide everything that an individual plant or animal needs to survive. Migratory species need habitats along their migrating routes; and
k Maintenance of genetic diversity to distinguish different breeds or races, providing the basis for locally, well-adapted varieties and a gene pool for further developing commercial crops and livestock.
answer to this perplexing question is unknown. Concerns over recognizing the value of these services grows as they become more and more threatened.
To help us better understand the role of ecosystem services, economists, ecologists, social scientists, and politicians throughout the world have created the four major service categories explained below. Regardless of our political beliefs about management of the environment, these services form the backbone of our economy and our life support systems.
Source: “Mainstreaming the Economics of Nature,” The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, 2010.
Imagine an endless supply of clean water and air, plants that provide valuable medicines to cure every disease, an abundant food and energy supply, and natural beauty beyond our greatest dreams. These ecosystem services were available at no cost, but this is no longer the case. Diminishing resources, contamination of natural systems and accelerating extinctions force us to become less assuming about the
their availability.
How do economists assign a price to ecosystem services? Some are sold as commodities in the open market; carbon sequestration by keeping vast reserves of forest untouched is one example. But a more developed
regulatIng
Local Climate
Biological Control Pollination Waste Water Erosion &
FertilityExtreme Events
Carbon Banking
k Local climate and air quality regulation (trees provide shade and remove pollutants from the atmosphere and forests to influence rainfall);
k Biological control of pests to control vector-borne diseases; k Pollination (87 out of the 115 leading global food crops, including
important cash crops) depend upon animal pollination; k Waste-water treatment (micro-organisms in soil and in wetlands
decompose human and animal waste as well as many pollutants); k Erosion prevention and maintenance of soil fertility; k Moderation of extreme events (ecosystems and living organisms create buffers
against natural hazards such as floods, storms, and landslides); and k Carbon banking (as trees and plants grow, they remove carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere and effectively lock it away in their tissues).
proVIsIonIng
Food Raw Materials Fresh Water Medicines
k Ecosystems that provide the conditions for growing food; k Raw materials for construction and fuel; k Fresh water (both surface and groundwater sources); and k Plants that provide medicinal information for the pharmaceutical industry.
aPPendix: eCoSyStem ServiCeS
AdAptive LAnd MAnAgeMent
Appendix: building Resilient Communities 119 118 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design
Collaborative
Adaptive Land Management
• MeetRegulations/Needs• UtilizeGrant&TaxIncentives• DecreaseOperationalCosts•OptimizeCommunityRecognition• NaturalizeOut-of-PlayAreas
Conceptualization Desired Outcomes
•Drought• ExtremeRainEvents
• UnseasonableTemperatures• NuisancePestsandPlants
•SpeciesShifts
Adapt to Unpredictable
EnvironmentalEngineer
WetlandScientist
NRCS
NonGovernmentOrganization
Owner/sSite
Manager
Action Plan
Refine Goals
Strategies & Actions
Implement EvaluateMonitor
perceived as unnecessary. when an unexpected change occurs, the system fails (diamond, 2007). In its wisdom, Nature has built-in redundancies to protect its resilience. For example, many insects perform pollination; in the event of a population failure with one, other species continue the task.
In the past, traditional landscape management was static, never changing or adapting to new conditions. we now know differently, and our effort to transform landscapes requires an adaptive approach. Building resilient communities in and around PVRS requires input from community members, site analysis data, professional consultations, and more. In order to create healthy landscapes, participants must link the biophysical, social and economic influences as they arise. adaptive land management is critical.
Adaptive management creates resilient communities through a very specific, open-ended process. It requires interventions, specific goals, and a willingness to experiment. Assessment tools to measure successes and failures are also critical. For example, eliminating all invasives on the PVRS campus is impossible. But assessing where the greatest benefit could be gained might be a wise starting point. This necessitates planning, forethought, and effort with a willingness to revise a plan if necessary.
High performance, ecologically stable landscapes have the following qualities:
k PRodUCTIVE - low inputs, high outputs; k dIVERSIFIEd ANd CoNNECTEd - ecologically resilient; k CLImATE CHANgE RESPoNSIVE; ANd k mULTIFUNCTIoN SYSTEmS - provide a range of ecological services.
Around the world, this innovative, new science is proving successful and worthwhile at securing natural resilience while helping communities to prosper socially and economically. Adaptive management has been successful in restoring regions where fishing was virtually destroyed and where dairy farming practices have destroyed the soil through over-irrigation. It is transforming communities that face ongoing disturbances from abrupt and slow disruptions. we humans can successfully play the resilience game by using Nature’s guidebook.
Resilience science is not new, but its practice is. defined by Brian walker and david Salt in Resilience Practice , resilience systems “build the capacity to absorb disturbances
and maintain function.” our landscapes function to provide a multitude of natural capitol services, such as clean water, climate control, recreation, etc., thus ensuring quality life support. (TEEB, 2010). [Refer to the Natural Capitol Services in Table 2 for additional information.]
disturbances, either quick and often catastrophic or long and barely noticeable, often require a system to reorganize and adjust. A system without sufficient resilience will likely be pushed over its threshold into a different functionality or realm. over-fishing or destruction of a coral reef from pollution are common examples. when a system enters a new realm, it has new qualities. Its functionality has changed and will require huge input to return to its previous purpose. For example, restoring fish populations worth harvesting may take decades or longer to recover. when a system fails, less prominent organisms become dominant, often serving no economic or natural value to the environment!
Not all disturbances have a negative outcome, however; in fact, many ensure healthy systems. For instance, forest fires release valuable nutrients for regeneration of younger growth and may be necessary for certain seeds to germinate or severe tropical storm’s high water flushes marshes removing valuable nutrients needed in ocean habitats for regeneration. walker and Salt’s definition can be applied to social, biological and economic systems. The ongoing, long-term success of any system depends on its ability to change as the world around it shifts. For example, kodak Corporation developed digital imagery decades ago but ignored creating digital cameras until it was too late, leading to corporate collapse.
As the conditions around a natural or human made system change, adaptive cycles become more critical. The greater the redundancy within that system, these adaptive cycles support resilience. ‘Efficient’ systems, on the contrary, become highly specialized at performing specific functions eliminating what is
aPPendix: Building Resilient Communities
Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of this generation with potentially profound effects on the economy, public health, water resources, infrastructure, coastal resources, energy demand, natural features, and recreation. The Commonwealth of massachusetts is committed to doing its part to mitigate and adapt to this challenge, recognizing the necessity of engaging in adaptation planning today by taking a close look at strategies that could help the state become more resilient and ready to adapt to climate change as it occurs.
Predicted impacts of climate change on human health include the potential for increased heat stress; increased respiratory and heart diseases; elevated levels of ozone and particulate matter; higher pollen counts; increased vector-borne diseases; more outbreaks of water-borne diseases; and degraded surface water quality and increased shellfish pathogens. Extreme weather events can disrupt power, sanitary and health care services, and access to safe and nutritious food, while damaging homes and property.
An analysis of natural resources and habitat identifies potential strategies to enable the four broad ecosystem types in massachusetts—forested, aquatic, coastal, and wetland—to adapt to climate change. These include protecting ecosystems of sufficient size and across a range of environmental settings; maintaining large-scale ecosystem processes and preventing isolation; limiting ecosystem stressors; and maintaining ecosystem health and diversity. These also include using nature-based adaptation solutions, embracing adaptive management, and developing a unified vision for conservation of natural resources, which can be carried out on a collaborative basis.
The time to address climate change is now.
massachusetts Climate Change Adaptation Report 2011Excerpts from the Executive Summary
120 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Overlaps with Northfield’s Open Space Plan 121
aPPendix: Overlaps with Northfield’s Open Space Plan
The Pioneering Stewardship Plan (PSP) reflects many of the interests and goals of the 2013 Northfield Open Space and Recreational Plan* (NOSRP). These include the following:
k Emphasizing practical strategies to engage students in environmental stewardship of the area’s natural, cultural and recreational resources;
k Supporting the impacts of land use and development as well as the economic viability of agriculture and sustainable forestland management;
k Including a trail system with kiosks, natural monitoring stations, interpretive signs and handicap accessibility;
k Identifying ideal places for outdoor classrooms made from site-sourced materials, living green roofs, and a confidence-building ropes course to bring students to natural areas for learning and recreational activities;
k Encouraging leadership for resilient and sustainable land use in the educational process for many generations of the community;
k Improving water quality runoff by adding pollinator habitats and rain gardens to reduce runoff and encourage infiltration; and
k Redirecting heated and contaminated drainage away from Biomap 2 Critical Landscape where the school presently drains about eight millions gallons per year.
To reach these management changes, the ecological designer has worked with Umass Environmental Conservation dept, Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program, department of Conservation and Recreation, Greater Northfield Watershed Association and US Fish and Wildlife along with numerous ecologists and conservationists and the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership.
* At the time of this writing, the final 2013 NOSRP was in draft form
aPPendix: Climate Change Report 2011
122 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Endorsements 123
aPPendix: Endorsements
69 Main Street, Northfield, MA 01360
2013 February 3
To: Ms. Dayle Doiron, Superintendent of Schools
Pioneer Valley regional School District 97 F. Sumner Turner Rd. Northfield, MA 01360
From: Jerry Wagener, Chair, Open Space Committee Subject: Pioneer Valley Regional School’s Pioneering Stewardship Plan The Northfield Open Space Committee (OSC) has coordinated with John Lepore on development of the Pioneer Valley Regional School’s Pioneering Stewardship Plan (PVRS Plan) and has included continuing such coordination in the newly revised Northfield Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). The PVRS Plan is consistent with the objectives of the OSRP. In particular, action item OS2.6 of the OSRP states:
Support the development of a Pioneer Valley Regional School Land Management Plan that encourages open-air educational options and recreation on the school's 90-acre parcel.
The PVRS Plan deserves your support as well. It has the potential for positively preparing our youth for the many environmental challenges they will face in the future. Issues around resource depletion, climate change, loss of valuable ecosystem services, and localizing food systems are addressed in the PVRS Plan, with practical local suggestions/solutions. It can serve as a model for other schools to follow in designing place-based environmental stewardship initiatives with specific site assessments and positive adaptive actions. We encourage you to support and implement the PVRS Plan.
124 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Endorsements 125
126 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design Appendix: Endorsements 127
128 Pioneering Stewardship Plan FUtURe LanDS - ecological By Design bibliography 129
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