MCCC Montview -mgmt plan 2016Meadows Conservation Area at Montview
Management Plan
Montview Avenue, Northampton, MA
prepared by: Meadow City
Conservation Coalition
approved by: City of Northampton -
Conservation Commission
Spring, 2016
A nice picture
Introduction:
Meadow City Conservation Coalition
The Meadow City Conservation Coalition was founded in 2009 and is a volunteer group committed to protecting the
integrity and future of the Northampton meadows surrounding the Connecticut River. The group was granted official
Not for Profit status in 2011 for the purpose of working with The City of Northampton to hold Conservation Restrictions.
MC3 also sponsors educational outreach programs open free of charge to the community.
Montview
The Montview property includes 3.246 acres of land primarily in a historical flood plain. It is protected by a conservation
restriction recorded on May 5, 2015 in the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, Book 11930 Page 1. The conservation
area contains unique natural qualities and outdoor passive recreational opportunities. Prior to its donation as
conservation land in 2000, this land was the Aquadro family homestead for a century and was used for farming.
Goals for Montview
• To maintain the function of the wetland and enhance wildlife habitat
• To provide inviting and safe opportunities for passive recreation to the public
• To return a small portion of prime agricultural land to the enterprise of farming
• To incorporate best conservation practices based on expert advice
• To work effectively with Meadow City Conservation Coalition, the Conservation Commission, and The City of
Northampton to achieve the goals of the Conservation Restriction
Management Unit 1:
Wet Meadow and 20’ Buffer
Area Description:
Of this .5 acre area, Laurie Sanders wrote: “This is the open wetland. Along the margins are silver maple, elm and a few
green ash and pin oak. There are also clusters of staghorn sumac, silky dogwood and some winterberry. The open wet
meadow is dominated by reed canary grass, but also includes touch-me-not, tickseed, arrow-leaved tearthumb,
common rush (Juncus effuses), meadowsweet, Virginia creeper, sensitive fern, poison ivy and some bulrush and sedges.
Grape is also found along the margins…It functions as a breeding pool for spring peepers and American toads (among
other things). Sanders, Laurie. 2014. “A Natural History of the Montview Conservation Area.” Updated from: Sanders,
Laurie. 1993. “Rediscovering Northampton, The Natural History of City-Owned Conservation Areas.” Commissioned by
Northampton Conservation Commission.
Objectives:
• Maintain and protect the hydrologic and
ecological function of the wetland
• Remove invasive plants
• Preserve the open/shrubby, wet-meadow
character of the habitat
• Provide visitor access for viewing and
crossing the wetland
Management Actions:
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
1. Mechanical removal of woody invasive plants
2. Mowing and maintenance of a walking trail and two
wetland-viewing spots. A cover of low natural vegetation
will be maintained by mowing. In the event that any soil is
exposed by frequent use, mulch will be spread to prevent
erosion. Any mowing will be done under dry conditions.
3. Cutting or girdling of trees that exceed 10’ in height, only
within the central, open area of the wetland.
To be pursued with Conservation Commission approval
4. Reed canary grass control when a reasonable
approach is determined
5. Installation of a foot-bridge for access
Management Unit 2:
Woodland Edge
One of a pair of American bitterns, a state-
Endangered species, at Montview in spring 2015.
Rick Clark, photo.
central, open
area
Area Description:
This .5 acre area is comprised mainly of woody plants on the northern perimeter of the property with a trail among
them. On the west end there are several species of trees of varying size and age. This includes a sizable stand of older
sumac, areas of younger, mostly male sumac, maples and black locust. On the central and eastern portion there is an
assortment of fruit and nut trees planted by former farming lease-holders. Native brambles and woodland-understory
vegetation have colonized the open areas.
Objectives:
• Maintain the tree line at its current extent in
order to preserve trail access and views of
the Holyoke Range
• Enhance wildlife values by increasing plant
species diversity and habitat structure
• Maintain the walking trails
• Remove invasive plant species
Management Actions:
To be conducted without prior Conservation
Commission approval
1. Mechanical control of invasive species
2. Continued mowing of 6’ walking trails
3. Thinning of male sumacs, black locust, and
other dominant vegetation along woods
edge and along trails (when safe and
aesthetically appropriate, retain material as
log stacks, brush piles, and standing snags)
4. Planting of appropriate native shrub,
wildflower, and grass species for wildlife
benefit (as feasible)
To be conducted with Conservation Commission approval
5. Chemical control of invasive plants, if deemed necessary
Management Unit 3:
Wildlife Meadows
Area Description:
A path through the shady jungle of mature
staghorn sumac. Laurie Sanders, photo, from “A
Natural History of the Montview Conservation
Area” (2014).
mature
sumac
jungle
bramble
patch
May, 2015: view east, showing
the meadow (brush-hogged in
fall 2014). Marcy Clark, photo.
September, 2015: same view,
showing rapid re-growth of
sumac. Marcy Clark, photo.
Eastern Section:
low-lying and wet,
with little woody
encroachment
This 1 acre management unit makes up the majority of the Montview Property, and is divided into two sections. The
smaller, Eastern Section lies in a low depression in between the Neighborhood Play-field and the driveway to the former
Town Farm property which abuts Montview to the north. This section is subject to ponding during heavy rain and
snowmelt, and is dominated by perenial herbaceous vegetation and just a small scattering of woody plants. The larger,
Western Section is much drier and more heavily invaded by rapidly-growing sumac clones. This succession to sumacs is
undesirable, both for the loss of the open meadow habitat and for the visitor-safety concerns created by low-visibilty
conditions within the network of foot trails throughout this section.
Objectives:
• Maintain a diverse habitat of
grasses, wildflowers, and low
shrub to benefit birds, insect
pollinators, and other wildlife
• Create a safe and inviting
place for passive recreation
• Maintain 6’ wide mowed
trails
Management Actions:
To be conducted without prior
Conservation Commission approval
1. Mechanical removal of invasive plants
2. Mowing of 6’ wide walking trails
3. Targeted, mechanical removal (power
tools and hand tools) of woody growth,
particularly fast-growing sumac clones.
This is to occur before April 15 and after
August 15 (in the non-mowed areas) to
avoid nesting birds. Shrubs with wildlife
value will be left to grow.
Western Section:
rapidly succeeding to a
monoculture stand of
staghorn sumac
“Manual” control includes
targeted use of hand/power tools.
Brush-hogging/mowing clears
vegetation and debris wholesale.
Rotational brush-hogging/mowing will be augmented with twice-annual targeted sumac cutting throughout
the entire Management Unit in order to maintain the meadow. Annual cutting during the growing season will
reduce re-sprouts, requiring less manual clearing of the rapid growing sumac clones.
4. Annual rotational
mowing/brush-
hogging of 1/3 of the
Wildlife Meadows,
creating a mixed-age
habitat of grasses,
wildflowers, and
shrubs (see figure to
the right). Mowing will
occur after August 15
to avoid nesting birds,
and before August 30
to reduce woody re-
sprouts by cutting in
the growing season.
As sumac vigor is
depleted over time,
mowing should shift
to autumn when
pollinators are
dormant.
5. Planting of
appropriate native
shrub, wildflower, and
grass species for
wildlife benefit (as
feasible)
A rotational mowing scheme will
prevent the encroachment of woody
plants, preserve winter habitat for
birds and pollinators, and create a
diverse and dynamic meadow.
Each year, a different portion (1/3rd
of the total area) will be mowed.
1/3rd of the meadow will have 1 year
of growth and accumulated debris.
1/3rd of the meadow will grow for 2
years before it is mowed again.
To be pursued with Conservation Commission approval
6. Chemical control of invasive plants, if deemed necessary.
Management Unit 4:
Agricultural Plot
Area Description:
The Agricultural Plot is a 1/2 acre section on the
northeast corner of the Montview property. This was a
former permaculture farm, which is now a mix of leftover
woody and herbacious perenial plantings. The City of
Northampton and the Agricultural Commission are eager
to return a portion of Montview to the enterprise of
farming, due to its history of agriculture and prime soils. It is understood, however, that this is a small parcel adjacent to
a children’s playing field in a crowded city neighborhood. Other notable constraints include the lack of a water supply
and the prohibition of equipment storage structures by the conservation restriction.
Objectives:
• To return a portion of prime agricultural land to the
enterprise of farming.
• In the event that no farmer is found, maintain this
section as a pollinator-friendly meadow and minimize
the encroachment of woody species in order to
accomodate future farming.
Management Actions:
1. Establish a .5 acre agricultural operation under the following
conditions:
o The farmer will pay the City a $300 refundable deposit
o The City and MCCC will select the farmer
o The City will offer the farmer a 3 year lease
o The farmer will hold liability insurance
o As necessary and appropriate the Agricultural Commission will advise the farmer
o Plantings will be either perennials or annuals with no woody crops permitted
o Organic farming is encouraged
o No toxic pesticides will be allowed given proximity to Town Farm (abutting property to
the north), adjacent pre-school, and neighbors
o Composting is limited to materials generated on site
vehicle
access
2. In the event that no farmer is found, manage this section with rotational mowing and targeted sumac
control as described for the Wildlife Meadows management unit.
Management Unit 5:
Neighborhood Play-field
Area Description:
This ¾ acre area was established when the City first
purchased the land parcel and has consistently attracted
many forms of passive recreation.
Objectives:
• Maintain the field for play. This includes non-motorized
passive recreational activities intended for informal
recreational use that do not alter the landscape or degrade
environmental quality
• Provide shade trees for visitors and spectators that require
little to no maintenance and do not impede viewshed
Management Actions:
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
1. Continue to mow the play-field
2. Consider the selective planting of shade trees keeping in mind adjacent utility poles, etc.
3. Allowance for small-scale informal gatherings with prior permission obtained and granted by MCCC
potential
shade
trees