Stewardship Advisory Committee meets
Associated People Susan Bickford Paul Dest
The Stewardship Advisory Committee held its first meeting of 2011 this morning. Here are the topics this group has been addressing:
Deer Population Reduction — The effort to improve habitat, reduce the spread of Lyme disease, and bring the deer population closer to the land's "carrying capacity" continues in its ninth year to meet with success. Deer density on Wells Reserve lands is still estimated to be several times higher than recommended by biologists for population health, but this is not uncommon for refugia (areas where deer are generally free of hunting pressure).
New England Cottontail — This rare, poorly known, and elusive species occurs at the Wells Reserve, but in very low numbers. Its distribution on the site seems to be contracting, but one area that has been intensively managed for early-succession habitat appears to be a stronghold.
Community Stewardship Activities — The group heard updates on the status of local conservation projects affecting Merriland Crossing, the York River, Shoreys Brook, and the Great Works River.
Natural Resource Management Plan — The Wells Reserve received 7 responses to its request for proposals to write a management plan for the reserve's forested areas. A selection will be made soon. The Forest Management Plan (one part of a full Natural Resource Management Plan) is expected to be completed this fall. The complete project is being approached in such a way that the management recommendations might be transferable, so local land trusts can consider applying them to other comparable lands in the region.
For more information about the activities of the Stewardship Advisory Committee, please contact Sue Bickford.
