a management plan for swendsen farm, bethlehem, ct
DESCRIPTION
A Management Plan for Swendsen Farm, Bethlehem, CT. February 2004. 1890. 1908. 1890. 1908. 1930. 1930. 2003. Swendsen Farm. Agriculture. Swendsen Farm Agriculture. Area: 68.5 acres Crops: Corn Hay Pumpkins. Current Management Practices. Herbicides and Pesticides Liming - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
A Management Plan for Swendsen Farm, Bethlehem, CT
February 2004
1890 1908
1930
1890 1908
1930 2003
Swendsen Farm
Legend
Corn
Dam
Forested Border
Hardwood-thick shrub
Hay
Hedgerow
Hemlock-Hardwood
Lake
Mixed Wood
Mowed Field
Pumpkins
Red Maple Mesic
Red Maple Swamp
Thick Hedge
Upland Hardwood
Wetland
Rivers
µ0 430 860 1,290 1,720215
Feet
Agriculture
Swendsen Farm Agriculture
•Area: 68.5 acres •Crops:
-Corn-Hay-Pumpkins
Current Management Practices
•Herbicides and Pesticides•Liming•Crop Rotation•Soil Erosion Control
Management Recommendations
•Maintain and improve drainage system•Review pesticide application plan •Develop an edge management plan•Maintain and enhance field species diversity
Forests
Forest Communities
1. Hardwood-Thick Shrub
2. Hemlock-Hardwood
3. Mixed-Wood 4. Red Maple Mesic 5. Red Maple
Swamp 6. Upland
Hardwood
1 2
3 4
5 6
Objective: Maintain Forest Health
Considerations:•Potential pathogens•Invasive species
Recommendations:•Monitor for hemlock woolly
adelgid and beech bark disease•Eradicate invasive species
where feasible
Objective: Watershed Health
Considerations:• Vegetation traps sediments and
prevents sediment loading of streams
Recommendations:• Maintain riparian buffers
Objective: Wildlife Habitat
Considerations:•Food Sources•Shelter
Recommendations:•Maintain variety of food sources
and habitats
Objective: Aesthetics
Considerations:•Beautiful stands enhance the
visitor experienceRecommendations:
•Create and maintain aesthetically pleasing stands
Wetlands
Objectives
• Preserve wildlife habitat• Maintain high water quality• Maintain ecosystem health• Promote aesthetics• Preserve species diversity
Recommendations
• Maintain buffers • Restrict recreational
activity • Monitor pond and
wetlands for invasive species
• Encourage community groups to pursue wetland projects
Wildlife
Taxa Total Abundant
Common Uncommon
Rare Endangered
Amphibians
16 0 11 3 2 0
Reptiles 20 4 13 2 0 1
Birds 165 9 90 62 23 1
Mammals
52 5 31 12 3 1Potential Wildlife in Non Forested Areas of Swendsen Farm (source: NEWILD)
Taxa Total Abundant
Common Uncommon
Rare Endangered
Amphibians
15 0 11 2 2 0
Reptiles 20 4 11 4 0 1
Birds 152 6 80 46 19 1
Mammals
51 3 30 14 3 1
Potential Wildlife in Forested Areas of Swendsen Farm (source: NEWILD)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Bog Turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii
Indiana Myotis Myotis sodalis
Source: Bern W. Tryon/Knoxville Zoo
Source: Corbis.com
Source: Merlin D. Tuttle Bat Conservation International
Endangered Species
Management Recommendations
• Maintain habitat diversity• Maintain species that provide
food and shelter• Develop strategies to enhance
habitat connectivity
Recreation
Objective
To open up Swendsen Farm as a passive
recreation resource for the general public.
Choice of Recreation
n=202
n=201n=198
n=204
n=196
n=198
n=200
n=200 n=196
0
20
40
60
80
100
Recreational Activitiy
Per
cent
age
of R
espo
nden
ts w
ho
Sup
port
that
Act
ivity
Recommendations
• Mark property boundaries
• Include a recreation clause in the agricultural lease
Recommendations
• Designate recreational options- Hiking- Horseback Riding- Fishing- Bird and scenic observation sites- Skating- Cross country skiing- Picnicking
Recommendations
• Build a parking lot• Create a trail
system
Recommendations
• Develop signage- Welcome sign- Steep slope warning signs- Pesticide application signs
Recommendations
• Appoint a property steward
• Publicise opening of the property to the public
• Approach community groups regarding use of the property
Education
Objective
To investigate the potential for utilizing Swendsen Farm as an educational resource for schools and the community.
Local Schools
• Bethlehem Elementary School
• Woodbury Middle School
• Nonnewaug High School
Recommendations
• Forge relationships with the local schools
• Develop interpretive materials• Promote educational activities
on the property
Priorities for 2004-2005
Melissa Aikens
Jessica Barnes
Alvaro del Campo
Elizabeth Petruska