Friday, February 27, 2009
Frank and Rob Sharp serious about protecting green infrastructure of Northwest Arkansas
Please click on images to ENLARGE photos of Frank and Rob Sharp on February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Five-year-old photo of wetland construction site seen in preceding post. The wooded wetland served as a floodway but was kept wet by three springs
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of the area shown in the three immediately preceding photos as it appeared on March 28, 2004, before being bulldozed and dredged and filled for Aspen Ridge. Camera wasn't particularly good, camera operator was worse and the photo was actually reduced in size and quality to go on line at that time. Additionally, of course, the area was always shaded by tall trees! Even in winter one could see no more than 100 feet because of understory vegetation and thickness of the trees.
This is one of several types of sensitive sites that members of the green-infrastructure committee believe deserve protection. This one offered the opportunity to continue to help reduce flooding and siltation of the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River and thus Beaver Lake. The opportunity to save this area was lost and cannot be mitigated offsite.
This is one of several types of sensitive sites that members of the green-infrastructure committee believe deserve protection. This one offered the opportunity to continue to help reduce flooding and siltation of the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River and thus Beaver Lake. The opportunity to save this area was lost and cannot be mitigated offsite.
Lowest wetland portion of Hill Place (former Aspen Ridge) property being dredged and filled for parking lot in former overflow area of Town Branch
Please click on images to ENLARGE photos of dredging and filling of Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River west of South Hill Avenue and north of 11th Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on February 26, 2009. Rich, absorbent soil being hauled away to make space for truckloads of non-absorbent, non-organic red dirt to provide parking spaces for Hill Place student apartments.
Don't let the contractors take all your brushpiles; the birds won't forgive you
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of mockingbird on brushpile at World Peace Wetland Prairie on February 25, 2009,
The more buds you spot on the ends of small limbs the more likely these limbs are the ones to keep on your property if you want plenty of song birds to be in your neighborhood when spring comes. You might also try to convince your neighbors to preserve some similar brushpiles on their property. And urging neighbors to preserve ice-damaged trees on their property also will help.
Many won't understand. But every property owner who keeps a brush pile or resists pressure to cut down a damaged tree can make a difference in the reproductive success of song birds in the coming spring.
The more buds you spot on the ends of small limbs the more likely these limbs are the ones to keep on your property if you want plenty of song birds to be in your neighborhood when spring comes. You might also try to convince your neighbors to preserve some similar brushpiles on their property. And urging neighbors to preserve ice-damaged trees on their property also will help.
Many won't understand. But every property owner who keeps a brush pile or resists pressure to cut down a damaged tree can make a difference in the reproductive success of song birds in the coming spring.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday February 26, 2009, meeting of FNHA's green-infrastructure committee set for Millar Lodge on Mount Sequoyah
We have nailed down the location for the Design Team meeting next Thursday 2/26/2009 7pm; it is going to be in the Millar Lodge at the Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center. You will find a map of the Conference Center grounds at this url: http://www.mountsequoyah.org/www.mountsequoyah.org/Home_files/Map.jpg
Millar Lodge is building 48 (for orientation: when the Design Team first met in early October we met in the Cafeteria Building 41)
I would like to remind you all that since this is a matching funds grant we need you to complete a time sheet that shows the hours you have so generously given to the project. Time sheet MSWord document attached.
I have been working closely with several of the Working Groups to finalize their maps; I think we are all going to be really 'WOWWED!'
I have received a few RSVPs, but if you haven't sent me an email to say yea or nay on attendance, please do.
See you next week,
Barbara
Barbara Elaine Boland
Green Infrastructure Planning, Project Coordinator
Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association
148 E Spring Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 521-2801 home
(479) 387-6724 cell
barbaraboland@hotmail.com
Millar Lodge is building 48 (for orientation: when the Design Team first met in early October we met in the Cafeteria Building 41)
I would like to remind you all that since this is a matching funds grant we need you to complete a time sheet that shows the hours you have so generously given to the project. Time sheet MSWord document attached.
I have been working closely with several of the Working Groups to finalize their maps; I think we are all going to be really 'WOWWED!'
I have received a few RSVPs, but if you haven't sent me an email to say yea or nay on attendance, please do.
See you next week,
Barbara
Barbara Elaine Boland
Green Infrastructure Planning, Project Coordinator
Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association
148 E Spring Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 521-2801 home
(479) 387-6724 cell
barbaraboland@hotmail.com
Monday, February 16, 2009
Meetings set for 7 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 18 and 7 p.m. Thursday Feb. 26
The Environmental Working Group will meet with Barbara Boland this Wed. Feb. 18 at 7 pm. in Ozark Hall, Rm. 209, to finalize the EWG Map for the Green Infrastructure Planning Report.
REMINDER: Green Infrastructure Planning meeting, Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 pm. Mt. Sequoyah.
REMINDER: Green Infrastructure Planning meeting, Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 pm. Mt. Sequoyah.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Summary of achievements of weland/prairie/savanna subgroup
SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS OF
WETLAND/PRAIRIE/SAVANNA SUBGROUP (W/P/SS)
Subgroup Members:
Joe Neal, Chris Wilson, Aubrey Shepherd, Bob Cross, Bruce Shackleford
The WPSS developed the following general objectives in October of 2008.
1. Identify the environmental resources that are important for the communities to preserve for the future.
2. Complete a map identifying where key environmental areas are and the linkages and hubs to access them.
3. Identify to the best of our abilities “what the community wants” and what ecosystems require.
The W/P/SS developed the following list of potential prairie/wetland/savanna sites in October 2008:
SITE 1: Stonebridge Meadows Golf Course (also known as Goff Farm): Low wet prairie plants on approximately 10 acres next to Course on south side of Hwy.16E.
SITE 2: Lake Fayetteville: North of Environmental Study Center, 30-40 acres of City-owned land.
SITE 3: Wilson Springs/Clabber Creek: Audubon Society owned wet-prairie land (120 acres) southwest of 540 and Hwy 112.
SITE 4: Zion Road: Sweetser owned land south of Zion Road – app. 5 acres.
SITE 5: Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary: 30-acre wetland mitigation site with 70 adjacent acres of prairie and savanna; owned by City of Fayetteville next to the West Side WWTP; could be expanded by another 70 acres as a mitigation bank/natural area.
SITE 6: World Peace Wetland Prairie Park (and adjacent tract) south of Hwy. 16 on Duncan & nearby Pinnacle Foods property.
SITE 7: University of Arkansas Farm on Garland has savanna and grassland fields.
SITE 8: Broyles/Yates Prairie on Woolsey Farm Rd. next to school in Farmington, 40 acres owned by Mr. & Mrs. Carl Yates.
SITE 9: Wedington Unit Forest: Grassland restoration on the west side of Ozark National Forest.
SITE 10: Pieces of prairie grasslands in the South Industrial Park on Armstrong (Combs Park).
SITE 11: South of Hwy. 16 large oak barren (savanna).
Site Evaluation Methodology: The Subgroup developed a W/P/SS Site Characterization Sheet (attached) to be completed to categorize each site. The evaluation criteria included both socioeconomic and ecological issues, and a site categorization strategy to determine each site’s potential for preservation and/or restoration. Site Characterization Sheets were completed for sites 1-8. Due to time limitations, evaluations for sites 9-11 were not completed. The sites were classified into one of the following categories:
Category 1 Site: Site size and location make it a prime candidate for preservation/restoration with minimal expenditure of financial and human resources; site may be protected by federal regulations as a “jurisdictional wetland”; site may provide critical habitat for resident and/or migratory fauna and may be inhabited by rare native flora species; site represents an endangered ecosystem such as a prairie or savanna that has been minimally impacted by anthropogenic activities such as grading, filling, structures, removal of vegetation, and or substantial habitat fragmentation; site is owned and operated by city, county, or state entity, or private individual or group who currently applies an “adaptive management” strategy to effectively preserve, restore, or enhance rare ecosystem features; protection of site will likely have significant community support; protection of site will very likely have high potential to provide a critical wildlife habitat hub or linkage corridor.
Category 2 Site: Site size and location make it a possible candidate for preservation/restoration although requirements for expenditures of financial and human resources may not be optimal on a cost/acre basis; site may be a wetland, but not necessarily protected by federal regulations as a “jurisdictional wetland”; site’s capability to provide critical habitat for resident and/or migratory fauna, and/or native plant species of concern is moderate, questionable, or unknown primarily due to its small size; site may exist as a very small remnant fragment of prairie/wetland/savanna ecosystem; site may exhibit impacts by anthropogenic activities such as grading, filling, structures, removal of vegetation, and/or substantial habitat fragmentation; site is owned and operated by city, county, or state entity, or private individual or group that may not be willing to consider long-term preservation due to land value, planned site use, or lack of interest; site is currently not actively managed (or is minimally managed) with an “adaptive management” strategy to effectively preserve, restore, or enhance rare ecosystem features; protection of site will have questionable or minimal community support, therefore, site’s potential to provide a wildlife habitat hub or linkage corridor is minimal to moderate.
Category 3 Site: Site size and location make it an unlikely candidate for preservation/restoration since a substantial expenditure of financial and human resources would be required; site is not protected by federal regulations as a “jurisdictional wetland”; site does not provide critical habitat for resident and/or migratory fauna and is not inhabited by rare native flora species; site represents only a remnant prairie or wetland that has been substantially impacted by anthropogenic activities such as grading, filling, structures, removal of vegetation, and or substantial habitat fragmentation; site is owned and operated by city, county, or state entity, or private individual or group most likely not willing to actively manage site to effectively preserve, restore, or enhance rare ecosystem features; protection of site will likely have little community support; protection of site will provide little potential to provide even a minimal wildlife habitat hub or linkage corridor.
Insert Blank W/P/SS Site Characterization Sheet as pages 3 and 4
RESULTS OF SITE EVALUATIONS
The site categorization results are as follows:
CATEGORY 1 SITES
SITE 2: Lake Fayetteville: North of Environmental Study Center, 30/40 acres of City-owned land
Existing Status and Management Needs: This site has large stands of native grasses such as little bluestem, big bluestem and Indian grass. It is well drained and no wetlands were observed, however, a small stream runs through the property. Oak/elm/hickory forests surround the grassland openings. Public access is available via paved trails, and it is our understanding that the site has some level of permanent protection. The condition of the site supports habitat for mammals and songbirds. The vegetation succession status appears to indicate that the site is minimally managed. Stands of eastern red cedar, smooth sumac, and blackberry are overtaking the grassland habitat, and it will continue to degrade without more aggressive management. A prescribed burn would serve well to maintain and restore this upland prairie. Bush-hogging and chainsaw cutting of larger woody plants will be needed in some areas. Burning and clearing should be done during the avian non-nesting seasons. It appears that fescue has been planted on the outer edges of the trails. Herbicide applications of sulfosulfuron should be completed in early spring or late fall while the fescue is actively growing and the native plants are dormant. A detailed plant species inventory should be conducted twice annually; once in May and again in October to fully evaluate the presence of rare species.
SITE 3: Wilson Springs: Clabber Creek Wet Prairie - Audubon Society owned 120 acres
Existing Status and Management Needs: This site exhibits prairie mounds (pimples) with inclusions of small scattered wetland areas in depressions between the mounds. This diversity in microtopography provides diversity in hydrology that, in turn, provides the potential to support a very diverse plant community.
However, due to little vegetation management, the site is losing its prairie character and former grasslands are being replaced with thickets of brushy shrubs and trees. This is exacerbated by the fact that invasive species such as sericea lespedeza and tall fescue continue to outcompete the native prairie forbs and grasses. This increases the potential for the loss of habitat for prairie birds and mammals.
The site is believed by local ornithologists to support the only known population of Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) in northwestern Arkansas. Mike Mlodinow of Fayetteville discovered this rare and inconspicuous bird at the site, in 2001. This species is declining over most of its range, and has been found in Arkansas in the nesting season on only a few prairies. The only record in more than a decade is from a protected prairie south of the Arkansas River. Of particular concern is that some studies have suggested that Henslow’s does not tolerate areas having high densities of woody vegetation.
Clabber Creek flows across the property, providing habitat for various species of fish, amphibians, and birds. This is the lowermost portion of Clabber Creek that is inhabited by the Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) a small fish (2 to 3 inches long). The Arkansas darter has been designated as an Arkansas Species of Concern by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, listed as a fish of Special Concern by the American Fisheries Society, and is a Candidate Species for federal listing as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The site is in need of an achievable vegetation management program that includes prescribed burning, bush-hogging and herbicide applications to control the growth of woody and invasive non-native plant density. A detailed plant species inventory is recommended.
Pics available from Joe Neal??
WETLAND/PRAIRIE/SAVANNA SUBGROUP (W/P/SS)
Subgroup Members:
Joe Neal, Chris Wilson, Aubrey Shepherd, Bob Cross, Bruce Shackleford
The WPSS developed the following general objectives in October of 2008.
1. Identify the environmental resources that are important for the communities to preserve for the future.
2. Complete a map identifying where key environmental areas are and the linkages and hubs to access them.
3. Identify to the best of our abilities “what the community wants” and what ecosystems require.
The W/P/SS developed the following list of potential prairie/wetland/savanna sites in October 2008:
SITE 1: Stonebridge Meadows Golf Course (also known as Goff Farm): Low wet prairie plants on approximately 10 acres next to Course on south side of Hwy.16E.
SITE 2: Lake Fayetteville: North of Environmental Study Center, 30-40 acres of City-owned land.
SITE 3: Wilson Springs/Clabber Creek: Audubon Society owned wet-prairie land (120 acres) southwest of 540 and Hwy 112.
SITE 4: Zion Road: Sweetser owned land south of Zion Road – app. 5 acres.
SITE 5: Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary: 30-acre wetland mitigation site with 70 adjacent acres of prairie and savanna; owned by City of Fayetteville next to the West Side WWTP; could be expanded by another 70 acres as a mitigation bank/natural area.
SITE 6: World Peace Wetland Prairie Park (and adjacent tract) south of Hwy. 16 on Duncan & nearby Pinnacle Foods property.
SITE 7: University of Arkansas Farm on Garland has savanna and grassland fields.
SITE 8: Broyles/Yates Prairie on Woolsey Farm Rd. next to school in Farmington, 40 acres owned by Mr. & Mrs. Carl Yates.
SITE 9: Wedington Unit Forest: Grassland restoration on the west side of Ozark National Forest.
SITE 10: Pieces of prairie grasslands in the South Industrial Park on Armstrong (Combs Park).
SITE 11: South of Hwy. 16 large oak barren (savanna).
Site Evaluation Methodology: The Subgroup developed a W/P/SS Site Characterization Sheet (attached) to be completed to categorize each site. The evaluation criteria included both socioeconomic and ecological issues, and a site categorization strategy to determine each site’s potential for preservation and/or restoration. Site Characterization Sheets were completed for sites 1-8. Due to time limitations, evaluations for sites 9-11 were not completed. The sites were classified into one of the following categories:
Category 1 Site: Site size and location make it a prime candidate for preservation/restoration with minimal expenditure of financial and human resources; site may be protected by federal regulations as a “jurisdictional wetland”; site may provide critical habitat for resident and/or migratory fauna and may be inhabited by rare native flora species; site represents an endangered ecosystem such as a prairie or savanna that has been minimally impacted by anthropogenic activities such as grading, filling, structures, removal of vegetation, and or substantial habitat fragmentation; site is owned and operated by city, county, or state entity, or private individual or group who currently applies an “adaptive management” strategy to effectively preserve, restore, or enhance rare ecosystem features; protection of site will likely have significant community support; protection of site will very likely have high potential to provide a critical wildlife habitat hub or linkage corridor.
Category 2 Site: Site size and location make it a possible candidate for preservation/restoration although requirements for expenditures of financial and human resources may not be optimal on a cost/acre basis; site may be a wetland, but not necessarily protected by federal regulations as a “jurisdictional wetland”; site’s capability to provide critical habitat for resident and/or migratory fauna, and/or native plant species of concern is moderate, questionable, or unknown primarily due to its small size; site may exist as a very small remnant fragment of prairie/wetland/savanna ecosystem; site may exhibit impacts by anthropogenic activities such as grading, filling, structures, removal of vegetation, and/or substantial habitat fragmentation; site is owned and operated by city, county, or state entity, or private individual or group that may not be willing to consider long-term preservation due to land value, planned site use, or lack of interest; site is currently not actively managed (or is minimally managed) with an “adaptive management” strategy to effectively preserve, restore, or enhance rare ecosystem features; protection of site will have questionable or minimal community support, therefore, site’s potential to provide a wildlife habitat hub or linkage corridor is minimal to moderate.
Category 3 Site: Site size and location make it an unlikely candidate for preservation/restoration since a substantial expenditure of financial and human resources would be required; site is not protected by federal regulations as a “jurisdictional wetland”; site does not provide critical habitat for resident and/or migratory fauna and is not inhabited by rare native flora species; site represents only a remnant prairie or wetland that has been substantially impacted by anthropogenic activities such as grading, filling, structures, removal of vegetation, and or substantial habitat fragmentation; site is owned and operated by city, county, or state entity, or private individual or group most likely not willing to actively manage site to effectively preserve, restore, or enhance rare ecosystem features; protection of site will likely have little community support; protection of site will provide little potential to provide even a minimal wildlife habitat hub or linkage corridor.
Insert Blank W/P/SS Site Characterization Sheet as pages 3 and 4
RESULTS OF SITE EVALUATIONS
The site categorization results are as follows:
CATEGORY 1 SITES
SITE 2: Lake Fayetteville: North of Environmental Study Center, 30/40 acres of City-owned land
Existing Status and Management Needs: This site has large stands of native grasses such as little bluestem, big bluestem and Indian grass. It is well drained and no wetlands were observed, however, a small stream runs through the property. Oak/elm/hickory forests surround the grassland openings. Public access is available via paved trails, and it is our understanding that the site has some level of permanent protection. The condition of the site supports habitat for mammals and songbirds. The vegetation succession status appears to indicate that the site is minimally managed. Stands of eastern red cedar, smooth sumac, and blackberry are overtaking the grassland habitat, and it will continue to degrade without more aggressive management. A prescribed burn would serve well to maintain and restore this upland prairie. Bush-hogging and chainsaw cutting of larger woody plants will be needed in some areas. Burning and clearing should be done during the avian non-nesting seasons. It appears that fescue has been planted on the outer edges of the trails. Herbicide applications of sulfosulfuron should be completed in early spring or late fall while the fescue is actively growing and the native plants are dormant. A detailed plant species inventory should be conducted twice annually; once in May and again in October to fully evaluate the presence of rare species.
SITE 3: Wilson Springs: Clabber Creek Wet Prairie - Audubon Society owned 120 acres
Existing Status and Management Needs: This site exhibits prairie mounds (pimples) with inclusions of small scattered wetland areas in depressions between the mounds. This diversity in microtopography provides diversity in hydrology that, in turn, provides the potential to support a very diverse plant community.
However, due to little vegetation management, the site is losing its prairie character and former grasslands are being replaced with thickets of brushy shrubs and trees. This is exacerbated by the fact that invasive species such as sericea lespedeza and tall fescue continue to outcompete the native prairie forbs and grasses. This increases the potential for the loss of habitat for prairie birds and mammals.
The site is believed by local ornithologists to support the only known population of Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) in northwestern Arkansas. Mike Mlodinow of Fayetteville discovered this rare and inconspicuous bird at the site, in 2001. This species is declining over most of its range, and has been found in Arkansas in the nesting season on only a few prairies. The only record in more than a decade is from a protected prairie south of the Arkansas River. Of particular concern is that some studies have suggested that Henslow’s does not tolerate areas having high densities of woody vegetation.
Clabber Creek flows across the property, providing habitat for various species of fish, amphibians, and birds. This is the lowermost portion of Clabber Creek that is inhabited by the Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) a small fish (2 to 3 inches long). The Arkansas darter has been designated as an Arkansas Species of Concern by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, listed as a fish of Special Concern by the American Fisheries Society, and is a Candidate Species for federal listing as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The site is in need of an achievable vegetation management program that includes prescribed burning, bush-hogging and herbicide applications to control the growth of woody and invasive non-native plant density. A detailed plant species inventory is recommended.
Pics available from Joe Neal??
SITE 5: Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary: City of Fayetteville-owned 30 acres of wetland mitigation with adjacent 70 acres of prairie and savanna.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This site is located immediately to the north of the City of Fayetteville’s West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant and was established as a requirement by the Corps of Engineers for compensatory wetland mitigation due to wetland losses caused by the city’s sewer improvement project. Restoration activities have included the construction of earthen berms to modify the hydrology, prescribed burns, mowing to prevent fescue from forming seedheads, and herbicide applications. Over a three-year period, the plant community has increased from 47 to 340 species. Seven of those plant species are Washington County records and are listed as Arkansas Species of Concern by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Adaptive management techniques have focused on creating conditions favorable to plant species that have been dormant within the seedbed for decades. Bird life is abundant and diverse, including songbirds, shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, and birds of prey. Woolsey Wet Prairie is listed as one of the nation’s birding hotspots on “ebird.org” a website jointly sponsored by Cornell University and Audubon.
The City of Fayetteville owns an additional 70 acres of prairie/savanna complex that is adjacent to the site. The adjacent acreage is very amenable to be expanded into a wetland mitigation bank and natural area. Approximately 20 acres of this tract is a rare hardwood savanna with large trees that were recently damaged by the January 2009 ice storm. Plans are underway to preserve as many of the damaged trees as possible. A draft prospectus has been prepared that will go before the City Council to make the final decision of a commitment of the additional 70 acres for the mitigation bank. More detailed information is available on the Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary website at: http://ecoarkansas.com/WoolseyMain.html.
SITE 8: Broyles/Yates Prairie on Woolsey Farm Rd. next to school in Farmington, 40 acres owned by Mr. & Mrs. Carl Yates.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This 40-acre site is a remnant prairie with intact mounds (prairie pimples) and wet depressions between mounds. The southern-most 10 acres are predominately wet meadow (palustrine emergent wetland class PEM) that is progressing to Palustrine System Scrub-Shrub Wetland Class (PSS) due to lack of mowing. A small (approx. 3 acres) area in the extreme southwest corner has become Palustrine System Forested Wetland Class (PFO) as the green ash are taking over and shading out the understory. With continued lack of vegetation management, upland areas will evolve from grasslands to shrub/scrub habitat as eastern red cedar, elm, and honey locust will take over.
The W/P/SS has suggested vegetation management to the landowner to include bush-hogging to remove woody vegetation (most of the green ash and some of the cedar) that is taking over wet prairie depressions and uplands and a prescribed burn early in 2009 growing season. This would preserve prairie habitat and enhance plant species diversity. The City of Fayetteville owns property to the north, which includes forested and prairie areas (including Woolsey Wet Prairie) and headwaters of Goose Creek. Cattle pasture is located to the west, an elementary school to the east, and residential to the south. Several very large old growth bur oak and American elm trees were observed on the site. The Broyles/Yates property has good habitat diversity; onsite and nearby offsite aquatic resources; good connectivity to surrounding habitats primarily to the north; and an ecological integrity that supports wildlife. This site would fit very well into a local hub/link network and could be easily managed with minimal periodic prescribed burning and mowing. The site visit made by the W/P/SS can be viewed at:
http://greeninfrastructure.blogspot.com/2008/11/green-infrastructure-team-meets-on.html
Pics available from aubrey???
CATEGORY 2 SITES
SITE 1: Stonebridge Meadows Golf Course (also known as Goff Farm): on approximately 10 acres on south side of Hwy.16E.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This is a small site that is somewhat isolated due to surrounding land use as a golf course. Various native prairie forbs and grasses are dominant, and a layer of tall fescue appears to be working its way into the community as a dominant. The site is sloped and a drainageway extends through the middle, creating areas that support wetland plant species. An interesting feature is the abundance of compass plants (Silphium laciniatum). This unique plant world has the ability for its leaves to orient themselves in a North and South direction. The compass plant supposedly served as a compass for prairie settlers traveling through who lost or forgot to bring a compass.
The manager of the property stated that they simply leave this area alone so that they can have a small “natural area”. The W/P/SS should contact the landowner to provide guidance about management of invasive species such as fescue, and inquire about getting seeds from mature compass plants next fall for use in restoration activities at other sites.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This site is located immediately to the north of the City of Fayetteville’s West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant and was established as a requirement by the Corps of Engineers for compensatory wetland mitigation due to wetland losses caused by the city’s sewer improvement project. Restoration activities have included the construction of earthen berms to modify the hydrology, prescribed burns, mowing to prevent fescue from forming seedheads, and herbicide applications. Over a three-year period, the plant community has increased from 47 to 340 species. Seven of those plant species are Washington County records and are listed as Arkansas Species of Concern by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Adaptive management techniques have focused on creating conditions favorable to plant species that have been dormant within the seedbed for decades. Bird life is abundant and diverse, including songbirds, shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, and birds of prey. Woolsey Wet Prairie is listed as one of the nation’s birding hotspots on “ebird.org” a website jointly sponsored by Cornell University and Audubon.
The City of Fayetteville owns an additional 70 acres of prairie/savanna complex that is adjacent to the site. The adjacent acreage is very amenable to be expanded into a wetland mitigation bank and natural area. Approximately 20 acres of this tract is a rare hardwood savanna with large trees that were recently damaged by the January 2009 ice storm. Plans are underway to preserve as many of the damaged trees as possible. A draft prospectus has been prepared that will go before the City Council to make the final decision of a commitment of the additional 70 acres for the mitigation bank. More detailed information is available on the Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary website at: http://ecoarkansas.com/WoolseyMain.html.
SITE 8: Broyles/Yates Prairie on Woolsey Farm Rd. next to school in Farmington, 40 acres owned by Mr. & Mrs. Carl Yates.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This 40-acre site is a remnant prairie with intact mounds (prairie pimples) and wet depressions between mounds. The southern-most 10 acres are predominately wet meadow (palustrine emergent wetland class PEM) that is progressing to Palustrine System Scrub-Shrub Wetland Class (PSS) due to lack of mowing. A small (approx. 3 acres) area in the extreme southwest corner has become Palustrine System Forested Wetland Class (PFO) as the green ash are taking over and shading out the understory. With continued lack of vegetation management, upland areas will evolve from grasslands to shrub/scrub habitat as eastern red cedar, elm, and honey locust will take over.
The W/P/SS has suggested vegetation management to the landowner to include bush-hogging to remove woody vegetation (most of the green ash and some of the cedar) that is taking over wet prairie depressions and uplands and a prescribed burn early in 2009 growing season. This would preserve prairie habitat and enhance plant species diversity. The City of Fayetteville owns property to the north, which includes forested and prairie areas (including Woolsey Wet Prairie) and headwaters of Goose Creek. Cattle pasture is located to the west, an elementary school to the east, and residential to the south. Several very large old growth bur oak and American elm trees were observed on the site. The Broyles/Yates property has good habitat diversity; onsite and nearby offsite aquatic resources; good connectivity to surrounding habitats primarily to the north; and an ecological integrity that supports wildlife. This site would fit very well into a local hub/link network and could be easily managed with minimal periodic prescribed burning and mowing. The site visit made by the W/P/SS can be viewed at:
http://greeninfrastructure.blogspot.com/2008/11/green-infrastructure-team-meets-on.html
Pics available from aubrey???
CATEGORY 2 SITES
SITE 1: Stonebridge Meadows Golf Course (also known as Goff Farm): on approximately 10 acres on south side of Hwy.16E.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This is a small site that is somewhat isolated due to surrounding land use as a golf course. Various native prairie forbs and grasses are dominant, and a layer of tall fescue appears to be working its way into the community as a dominant. The site is sloped and a drainageway extends through the middle, creating areas that support wetland plant species. An interesting feature is the abundance of compass plants (Silphium laciniatum). This unique plant world has the ability for its leaves to orient themselves in a North and South direction. The compass plant supposedly served as a compass for prairie settlers traveling through who lost or forgot to bring a compass.
The manager of the property stated that they simply leave this area alone so that they can have a small “natural area”. The W/P/SS should contact the landowner to provide guidance about management of invasive species such as fescue, and inquire about getting seeds from mature compass plants next fall for use in restoration activities at other sites.
SITE 4: Zion Road: Sweetser owned land south of Zion Road – app. 5 acres.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This is a very interesting site because it is small and surrounded by a densely populated residential area, yet has and extremely high quality prairie plant community. Big bluestem, little bluestem and Indiangrass are the dominant grasses, and the abundance of rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) is a unique feature. This plant is a very odd member of the Carrot family that resembles a yucca or some other desert plant. However, it is a true tallgrass prairie species with a unique appearance. In previous times, Native Americans used the dried seedheads of rattlesnake master as rattles. Pioneers thought the roots could be used as an effective antidote to rattlesnake bites, hence the common name of this plant. However, this belief was erroneous.
The W/P/SS should contact the landowner to provide guidance about site management, and inquire about getting seeds from mature plants, and or digging and transplanting specimens, for use in restoration activities at other sites.
SITE 6: World Peace Wetland Prairie Park (and adjacent tract) north of 15th Street at 1121 South Duncan Avenue.
Existing Status and Management Needs: World Peace Wetland Prairie is a small city-owned nature park at 1121 South Duncan Avenue in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The land includes wetland prairie and savanna with rich, black soil and a mixture of hundreds of native plants typical of many similar areas being cleared for development all over Northwest Arkansas. Although small in size, it hosts an extremely diverse community of flora and fauna. It has served as a model for what can be achieved by volunteers who participate in the site management.
The adjacent Pinnacle Foods Prairie is west of World Peace Wetland Prairie and may be seen from the end of West 12th St.
Aubrey, can you please elaborate on this and provide pics? It is only fair that you do this because you know this site better than anyone and have put your own sweat into it.
More information about the site can be found at:
http://www.worldpeacewetlandprairie.com/
SITE 7: University of Arkansas Farm on Garland savanna & grassland fields.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This site of undetermined acreage appears to be a remnant savanna and prairie grassland area. The W/P/SS has not made a detailed site visit, and little is known about the property use and management. The W/P/SS should contact the U of A to see if they could use the area as an educational demonstration project for ecological restoration.
CATEGORY 3 SITES
None
Community needs: It has been obvious to the W/P/SS that there is a common lack of public knowledge about the endangerment and need for management of vanishing Wetland/Prairie/Savanna ecosystems in Northwest Arkansas. Even those who do care about preserving and managing these ecosystems on their own land, know very little about vegetation management. Bruce Shackleford is in the process of developing the “Prairie Stewardship Network” as a hyperlink to the Woolsey Wet Prairie website. This site will include published articles from ecological restoration journals to educate the public about ecosystem restoration and vegetation management tools. Individuals will also be able to make inquiries about management issues via email.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This is a very interesting site because it is small and surrounded by a densely populated residential area, yet has and extremely high quality prairie plant community. Big bluestem, little bluestem and Indiangrass are the dominant grasses, and the abundance of rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) is a unique feature. This plant is a very odd member of the Carrot family that resembles a yucca or some other desert plant. However, it is a true tallgrass prairie species with a unique appearance. In previous times, Native Americans used the dried seedheads of rattlesnake master as rattles. Pioneers thought the roots could be used as an effective antidote to rattlesnake bites, hence the common name of this plant. However, this belief was erroneous.
The W/P/SS should contact the landowner to provide guidance about site management, and inquire about getting seeds from mature plants, and or digging and transplanting specimens, for use in restoration activities at other sites.
SITE 6: World Peace Wetland Prairie Park (and adjacent tract) north of 15th Street at 1121 South Duncan Avenue.
Existing Status and Management Needs: World Peace Wetland Prairie is a small city-owned nature park at 1121 South Duncan Avenue in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The land includes wetland prairie and savanna with rich, black soil and a mixture of hundreds of native plants typical of many similar areas being cleared for development all over Northwest Arkansas. Although small in size, it hosts an extremely diverse community of flora and fauna. It has served as a model for what can be achieved by volunteers who participate in the site management.
The adjacent Pinnacle Foods Prairie is west of World Peace Wetland Prairie and may be seen from the end of West 12th St.
Aubrey, can you please elaborate on this and provide pics? It is only fair that you do this because you know this site better than anyone and have put your own sweat into it.
More information about the site can be found at:
http://www.worldpeacewetlandprairie.com/
SITE 7: University of Arkansas Farm on Garland savanna & grassland fields.
Existing Status and Management Needs: This site of undetermined acreage appears to be a remnant savanna and prairie grassland area. The W/P/SS has not made a detailed site visit, and little is known about the property use and management. The W/P/SS should contact the U of A to see if they could use the area as an educational demonstration project for ecological restoration.
CATEGORY 3 SITES
None
Community needs: It has been obvious to the W/P/SS that there is a common lack of public knowledge about the endangerment and need for management of vanishing Wetland/Prairie/Savanna ecosystems in Northwest Arkansas. Even those who do care about preserving and managing these ecosystems on their own land, know very little about vegetation management. Bruce Shackleford is in the process of developing the “Prairie Stewardship Network” as a hyperlink to the Woolsey Wet Prairie website. This site will include published articles from ecological restoration journals to educate the public about ecosystem restoration and vegetation management tools. Individuals will also be able to make inquiries about management issues via email.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Minutes of January 14, 2009, meeting of the environmental working group of the Green Infrastructure Project of FNHA
Environmental Working Group (EWG) - Minutes
Meeting: 7PM January 14, 2009; Bell Engineering Center, Room 2267
Attendees: Delia Haak as Chairman, Bob Morgan, Doug James, Elizabeth Adam, Aubrey Shepherd, Bruce Shackleford, Judy Woltjen as Scribe.
The Chairman asked for sub-committee reports.
Wetlands/Prairies:
Bruce said that this group established 3 primary goals, criteria for evaluating sites, and identified 11 potential sites as wetlands/prairies. So far they have field checked 8 of the 11 sites and listed them in categories of importance. Written report to be submitted.
Watersheds/Water Quality:
Bob Morgan will submit a written report. The working map has been marked with stream corridors and their flood plains throughout the study area. Report included below.
Upland Forests:
Doug James completed the corridors of forested areas on the working map. His report explains these features and includes an addendum of an arrow to Webber Mountain in Springdale because of its outstanding natural features and potential as protected green space.
Delia requested that Bruce meet with Barbara Boland to identify the 11 sites on the working map using their name on a reference section.
Delia asked Judy to meet with Barbara Boland to have the spring sites numbered and a list made with the locations of the springs so they can be located by anyone interested in finding them. List below.
Delia asked all committee members to turn in any list of names for contacting in Johnson, Farmington, and Greenland about the Green Infrastructure Plan.
Committee members were reminded to turn in work sheets with their volunteer hours.
Meeting ended at 8:30 PM.
Green Infrastructure Project
Environmental Working Group
Water/Streams Sub-committee
Submitted by Robert Morgan and Matt VanEps
Streams are an obvious but critical component of the green infrastructure of a community. A healthy stream system includes not only channels but also the adjacent streamside or riparian zone, floodplain and transition zone. The stream and surrounding riparian zones provide:
• Transport of water, energy and sediment,
• pollutant cycling and removal,
• aquatic and terrestrial habitat and refugia,
• corridors for movement,
• amelioration of water temperature,
• air pollution abatement,
• flood water storage,
• recreational and aesthetic values.
Fayetteville and the surrounding communities have a well developed dendritic stream system with no spot in town being more than a few hundred yards from a stream or ditch. Much of this system is still intact, or only moderately degraded. Other portions of the system have been substantially altered and degraded.
Stream ordination is a simple system of classifying streams by size. Streams are first ordered from their headwaters until they unite with another stream. When two first order streams unite, they become a second order stream. The junction of two second order streams forms a third order stream and so forth. The stream protection plan has identified second order and higher streams as identified on USGS 7½ minute quadrangle maps as priority areas for protection. This system of streams provides connective links between larger green nodes such as parks and wetlands within our community. Since second order streams are relatively large, smaller parcels of property have boundary lines that tend to run along these streams rather than being divided by them. Therefore this stream ordination system (off stream corridor prioritization) recognizes the reality of preserving private property rights.
For maximum protection of ecological function, the full width of the floodplain should be protected. Protection of lesser widths offers protection of less function. The Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends a minimum buffer of 66 feet for water-quality protection.
Ways to preserve stream corridors include acquisition as part of the cities park program, inclusion of corridors as part of required greenspace in commercial developments, low-impact development practices and possibly other innovative approaches. The City of Fayetteville recognized the utility of connectivity along streams in the development of its trail system.
FNHA 2008-9 GIPP STUDY----SPRINGS
January 22, 2009
Submitted by Judy and Duane Woltjen
Data from USGS 7 ½ min Topographic Maps
NAD 83 UTM/UPS Coordinates Zone 15S
Recap: 44 Springs on USGS topos and in the study area. One spring outside area is listed, and one spring not on maps is listed.
Name Easting Northing Area Center Ref.
Hewitt Spring (Not in area) 0402396 4003583 0401500 4002000 *
039611 4001080 1
0394381 4000293 039500 4002000 2
0394095 4000866 3
0389804 40015005 0391500 4002000 4
0390038 4001995 5
0388445 4001310 0387681 4003000 6
0385167 4001380 7
0384105 4001909 8
038154 4003386 0381500 4002000 9
0383078 4002601 10
0381814 4001831 11
0383601 4001536 12
0382934 4000743 13
0382387 4000067 14
0378604 45003980 0376575 4002000 15
Springs 0377920 4000068 16
0375529 3996501 0376500 3998000 17
Fish hatchery 0378412 3996456 18
(Savoy area) 0380175 3997071 0381539 3998001 19
0382456 3997083 20
0382597 3996729 21
0387985 3998057 0386500 3998000 22
Springs 0389714 3998675 0391500 3998000 23
0389314 3998626 23A
Greathouse Spring 0391785 3999772 24
Springs 0392032 3998657 25 (Chris Hollow Rd.) 0393529 3998520 26
0397990 3996705 0396500 3998000 27
Springs 0397387 3999260 28
0401500 3998000
0401500 3994000
(Craft Park, not on map) 0397092 3993814 0396500 3994000 28A
0391000 3994000
0388874 3992819 0386500 0394000 29
Springs (Double Springs) 0385743 3993955 30
0384188 3995032 31
Elkhorn Springs 0382341 3992188 0381500 3994000 32
(On Viney Grove Rd.) 0378856 3994752 0376500 3994000 33
0376500 3990000
0381500 3990000
0384292 3990200 0386500 3999000 34
0384675 3989988 35
0386793 3991062 36
0391500 3990000
Tin Cup Spring (Not on map) 0396038 3991804 0396500 3990000 Note
0401500 3990000
0401500 3986000
0396500 3986000
0391500 3986000
0385906 3985987 0386500 3986000 37
0386226 3986341 38
0382129 3987772 0381480 3986000 39
Ruby Spring 0382717 3987395 40
037426 3986923 0376500 3786000 41
0376500 3982000
Living Water Spring 0380393 3983588 0381500 3982000 42
0386500 3982000
0391500 3982000
0396500 3982000
Note:Wilson Spring of Fayetteville is not shown. It is in the vicinity of I-540 and AR 112.
* This is an area of interest respective to Springdale, Webber Mountain, etc.
Area Map List
7 ½ minute Topographic Maps
Sonora
Springdale
Robinson
Gallatin
Rhea
Wheeler
Fayetteville
Elkins
Sulfur City
West Fork
Prairie Grove
Rudy NE
Meeting: 7PM January 14, 2009; Bell Engineering Center, Room 2267
Attendees: Delia Haak as Chairman, Bob Morgan, Doug James, Elizabeth Adam, Aubrey Shepherd, Bruce Shackleford, Judy Woltjen as Scribe.
The Chairman asked for sub-committee reports.
Wetlands/Prairies:
Bruce said that this group established 3 primary goals, criteria for evaluating sites, and identified 11 potential sites as wetlands/prairies. So far they have field checked 8 of the 11 sites and listed them in categories of importance. Written report to be submitted.
Watersheds/Water Quality:
Bob Morgan will submit a written report. The working map has been marked with stream corridors and their flood plains throughout the study area. Report included below.
Upland Forests:
Doug James completed the corridors of forested areas on the working map. His report explains these features and includes an addendum of an arrow to Webber Mountain in Springdale because of its outstanding natural features and potential as protected green space.
Delia requested that Bruce meet with Barbara Boland to identify the 11 sites on the working map using their name on a reference section.
Delia asked Judy to meet with Barbara Boland to have the spring sites numbered and a list made with the locations of the springs so they can be located by anyone interested in finding them. List below.
Delia asked all committee members to turn in any list of names for contacting in Johnson, Farmington, and Greenland about the Green Infrastructure Plan.
Committee members were reminded to turn in work sheets with their volunteer hours.
Meeting ended at 8:30 PM.
Green Infrastructure Project
Environmental Working Group
Water/Streams Sub-committee
Submitted by Robert Morgan and Matt VanEps
Streams are an obvious but critical component of the green infrastructure of a community. A healthy stream system includes not only channels but also the adjacent streamside or riparian zone, floodplain and transition zone. The stream and surrounding riparian zones provide:
• Transport of water, energy and sediment,
• pollutant cycling and removal,
• aquatic and terrestrial habitat and refugia,
• corridors for movement,
• amelioration of water temperature,
• air pollution abatement,
• flood water storage,
• recreational and aesthetic values.
Fayetteville and the surrounding communities have a well developed dendritic stream system with no spot in town being more than a few hundred yards from a stream or ditch. Much of this system is still intact, or only moderately degraded. Other portions of the system have been substantially altered and degraded.
Stream ordination is a simple system of classifying streams by size. Streams are first ordered from their headwaters until they unite with another stream. When two first order streams unite, they become a second order stream. The junction of two second order streams forms a third order stream and so forth. The stream protection plan has identified second order and higher streams as identified on USGS 7½ minute quadrangle maps as priority areas for protection. This system of streams provides connective links between larger green nodes such as parks and wetlands within our community. Since second order streams are relatively large, smaller parcels of property have boundary lines that tend to run along these streams rather than being divided by them. Therefore this stream ordination system (off stream corridor prioritization) recognizes the reality of preserving private property rights.
For maximum protection of ecological function, the full width of the floodplain should be protected. Protection of lesser widths offers protection of less function. The Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends a minimum buffer of 66 feet for water-quality protection.
Ways to preserve stream corridors include acquisition as part of the cities park program, inclusion of corridors as part of required greenspace in commercial developments, low-impact development practices and possibly other innovative approaches. The City of Fayetteville recognized the utility of connectivity along streams in the development of its trail system.
FNHA 2008-9 GIPP STUDY----SPRINGS
January 22, 2009
Submitted by Judy and Duane Woltjen
Data from USGS 7 ½ min Topographic Maps
NAD 83 UTM/UPS Coordinates Zone 15S
Recap: 44 Springs on USGS topos and in the study area. One spring outside area is listed, and one spring not on maps is listed.
Name Easting Northing Area Center Ref.
Hewitt Spring (Not in area) 0402396 4003583 0401500 4002000 *
039611 4001080 1
0394381 4000293 039500 4002000 2
0394095 4000866 3
0389804 40015005 0391500 4002000 4
0390038 4001995 5
0388445 4001310 0387681 4003000 6
0385167 4001380 7
0384105 4001909 8
038154 4003386 0381500 4002000 9
0383078 4002601 10
0381814 4001831 11
0383601 4001536 12
0382934 4000743 13
0382387 4000067 14
0378604 45003980 0376575 4002000 15
Springs 0377920 4000068 16
0375529 3996501 0376500 3998000 17
Fish hatchery 0378412 3996456 18
(Savoy area) 0380175 3997071 0381539 3998001 19
0382456 3997083 20
0382597 3996729 21
0387985 3998057 0386500 3998000 22
Springs 0389714 3998675 0391500 3998000 23
0389314 3998626 23A
Greathouse Spring 0391785 3999772 24
Springs 0392032 3998657 25 (Chris Hollow Rd.) 0393529 3998520 26
0397990 3996705 0396500 3998000 27
Springs 0397387 3999260 28
0401500 3998000
0401500 3994000
(Craft Park, not on map) 0397092 3993814 0396500 3994000 28A
0391000 3994000
0388874 3992819 0386500 0394000 29
Springs (Double Springs) 0385743 3993955 30
0384188 3995032 31
Elkhorn Springs 0382341 3992188 0381500 3994000 32
(On Viney Grove Rd.) 0378856 3994752 0376500 3994000 33
0376500 3990000
0381500 3990000
0384292 3990200 0386500 3999000 34
0384675 3989988 35
0386793 3991062 36
0391500 3990000
Tin Cup Spring (Not on map) 0396038 3991804 0396500 3990000 Note
0401500 3990000
0401500 3986000
0396500 3986000
0391500 3986000
0385906 3985987 0386500 3986000 37
0386226 3986341 38
0382129 3987772 0381480 3986000 39
Ruby Spring 0382717 3987395 40
037426 3986923 0376500 3786000 41
0376500 3982000
Living Water Spring 0380393 3983588 0381500 3982000 42
0386500 3982000
0391500 3982000
0396500 3982000
Note:Wilson Spring of Fayetteville is not shown. It is in the vicinity of I-540 and AR 112.
* This is an area of interest respective to Springdale, Webber Mountain, etc.
Area Map List
7 ½ minute Topographic Maps
Sonora
Springdale
Robinson
Gallatin
Rhea
Wheeler
Fayetteville
Elkins
Sulfur City
West Fork
Prairie Grove
Rudy NE
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Fayette Junction Master Plan to be presented at 6 p.m. Thursday
Please click on image to ENLARGE one of the slides found at the link below.
All,
The Fayette Junction Master Plan Community Presentation has been rescheduled
for Thursday, Feb. 5 at BioBased Companies, which is located at the SE corner of Razorback Road and Cato Springs Road. Over 100 stakeholders contributed to the vision that will be presented, and a draft of the vision document and Illustrative Plan are now available at http://cityplan2025.accessfayetteville.org.
Please paste in address above or go directly to the information at the link below:
Access Fayetteville drawings and photos from Fayette Junction planning session
Please join us on the 5th for tours at 6:00 p.m., the presentation at 6:30 p.m., and light
refreshments following the presentation.
Best,
Karen Minkel
Karen Minkel
Interim Director of Long Range Planning
City of Fayetteville
(479) 575-8271
All,
The Fayette Junction Master Plan Community Presentation has been rescheduled
for Thursday, Feb. 5 at BioBased Companies, which is located at the SE corner of Razorback Road and Cato Springs Road. Over 100 stakeholders contributed to the vision that will be presented, and a draft of the vision document and Illustrative Plan are now available at http://cityplan2025.accessfayetteville.org.
Please paste in address above or go directly to the information at the link below:
Access Fayetteville drawings and photos from Fayette Junction planning session
Please join us on the 5th for tours at 6:00 p.m., the presentation at 6:30 p.m., and light
refreshments following the presentation.
Best,
Karen Minkel
Karen Minkel
Interim Director of Long Range Planning
City of Fayetteville
(479) 575-8271
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