DRAFT 2021 PlanMeadows Conservation Area at Montview
Management Plan
/
/
/
/
Montview Avenue, Northampton, MA
prepared by: Meadow City
Conservation Coalition
for approval by: City of Northampton - Conservation Commission
Spring, 2021
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 the Conservation Commission and the City of Northampton to achieve the goals of the Conservation Restriction
/
-1-
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 as feasible
Preserve the open/shrubby, wet-meadow character of the habitat
Management Actions as resources allow:
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
Mechanical removal of woody invasive plants
Mowing and maintenance of a walking trail . 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.
Cutting or girdling of trees that exceed 10’ in height, only within the central, open area of the wetland.
-2-
Management Unit 2:
Woodland Edge
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 as feasible
Management Actions as resources allow:
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
Mechanical control of invasive species
Continued mowing of walking trails
Thinning of male sumacs, black locust, and dominant
vegetation along woods edge and along trails (when safe
and aesthetically appropriate, retain material as log stacks, brush piles, and standing snags)
Planting of appropriate native shrub, wildflower, and grass species for wildlife benefit (as feasible)
-3-
To be conducted with Conservation Commission approval
Chemical control of invasive plants, if deemed necessary
Management Unit 3:
Wildlife Meadows
Area Description:
This 1 acre+ management unit makes up the majority of the Montview property, and is divided into Eastern (3E) and Western (3W) sections. The Eastern section lies between the Play Field
and the Coy/James (Town Farm) driveway. A 15’-20’ wide strip adjacent to the driveway tends to retain water after heavy rains. The remaining 35’-40’ strip dries out more quickly. The
latter is suitable for cultivation and is available if the ag plot lessee desires more space than the existing ag plot allows. If not, then this strip will be managed with the same
scheme as 3W: rotational brush hogging and manual suppression of invasive plants, saplings, and fast-spreading sumac clones. The larger, Western Section is much drier and susceptible
to invasion by rapidly-growing sumac clones. This succession to sumacs is undesirable for the loss of the open meadow habitat.
Objectives:
Maintain a diverse habitat of grasses, wildflowers, and low shrub to benefit birds, insect pollinators, and other wildlife
Create an inviting place for passive recreation
Maintain mowed trails
-4-
Management Actions as resources allow:
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
Mechanical removal of invasive plants
Mowing of walking trails
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.
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 to reduce woody re-sprouts. As sumac vigor is depleted over time, mowing should shift to autumn when pollinators are dormant.
Planting of appropriate native shrub, wildflower, and grass species for wildlife benefit (as feasible).
/
-5-
To be pursued with Conservation Commission approval:
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 herbaceous
perennial 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 accommodate future farming.
Management Actions:
Establish a .5 acre agricultural operation under the following conditions:
The farmer will pay the City a $300 refundable deposit
The City and MCCC will select the farmer
The City will offer the farmer a 3 year lease
The farmer will hold liability insurance
As necessary and appropriate the Agricultural Commission will advise the farmer
Plantings will be either perennials or annuals with no woody crops permitted
Organic farming is encouraged
No toxic pesticides will be allowed given proximity to Town Farm (abutting property to the north), adjacent pre-school, and neighbors
Composting is limited to materials generated on site
-6-
In the event that no farmer is found, coordinate next steps with the Agricultural Commission to manage this section with mowing or brush hogging and targeted sumac control to maintain
the land quality for the next season.
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 along Montview avenue for visitors that
require little to no maintenance.
Management Actions as resources allow:
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
Continue to mow the play-field
Allowance for small-scale informal gatherings with prior permission obtained and granted by MCCC
To be conducted with prior Conservation Commission approval
1. Organized community gatherings such as tag sales and social events
2. Planting of native shade trees along Montview Avenue to enrich habitat and provide shade for the edge of the play field
-7-