a management plan for swendsen farm, bethlehem, ct

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