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LSI IPMP Lathrop Community - Easthampton Campus - 2022.pdf Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community ~ Easthampton Campus Easthampton & Northampton, MA December 6th, 2022 Prepared by Jessica Applin Land Stewardship, Inc. Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com December 6th, 2022 INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT PLAN: Lathrop Community, Easthampton Invasive plant management activities are planned for the Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus in Easthampton & Northampton, MA. The Lathrop Easthampton Campus is located on Basset Brook Drive in Easthampton, MA (Figure 1). This property is approximately 175 acres of mixed field, riparian, and woodland habitat, 92.5 acres of which are protected under Conservation Restriction. It hosts a rich mosaic of habitat types and is an important part of the larger landscape connectivity of the area which is otherwise moderately developed. This landscape connectivity is essential in supporting wildlife and plant species, especially as they continue to shift and adapt to a changing climate. Managing invasive plants is an important part of maintaining healthy habitats and protecting our natural resources. In addition, the forested areas on either side of Basset Brook have been identified by the University of Massachusetts, Conservation and Assessment Prioritization System (CAPS) as having ecological integrity, which further supports the need to manage this property in a way that continues to promote a healthy landscape. On 10/13/2022 & 11/3/2022 Jessica Applin, Director of Ecological Services at Land Stewardship Inc. (LSI) visited the site to survey invasive plant populations and assess overall site conditions and was joined by Barbara Walvoord on 11/3 to further assess the site as well as discuss management priorities and the big picture goals of the ongoing invasive plant management effort. A table of invasive species of concern, along with suitable treatment methods, can be found in Table 1. As portions of the project area falls under the jurisdiction of the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA), a Notice of Intent (NOI) will need to be filed with the Easthampton Conservation Commission and with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). A map displaying classified DEP wetlands, buffer zones, and approximate hydrology is included below in Figure 2. Maps depicting invasive plant distributions and overall densities as well as priority management areas and site conditions at the subject property are included for reference (Figures 3 & 4). Individual invasive species distributions and densities have been provided separately in shapefile format. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 2 Figure 1. Map displaying the location of the Lathrop Community CR Parcels in Easthampton and Northampton, MA. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus 3 Figure 2. Map displaying Mass DEP wetlands, hydrology and buffer zones within the Lathrop Community Easthampton Campus Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 4 Invasive Plant Assessment & Priority Management Areas Invasive plants were observed throughout most of the property at varying densities. The table below lists all invasive plants identified, as well as treatment notes for each species. A map of invasive plant densities and distribution follows (Figure 2). This list is based on observations in the field and is not necessarily all inclusive. Table 1. Invasive species observed at the Lathrop Community Easthampton Campus property. Common Name Scientific Name Notes Shrubs Glossy buckthorn Frangula alnus Suitable for foliar application treatment and cut stem treatment depending on size class, density, and proximity to wetlands. Winged euonymus/burning bush Euonymus alatus Suitable for foliar application treatment and cut stem treatment depending on size class, density, and proximity to wetlands. Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergii Suitable for foliar application treatment. Bush honeysuckle Lonicera spp. Suitable for foliar application treatment and cut stem treatment depending on size class, density, and proximity to wetlands. Multiflora rose Rosa multiflora Suitable for foliar application treatment and cut stem treatment depending on size class, density, and proximity to wetlands. Autumn olive Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. Suitable for foliar application treatment and cut stem treatment depending on size class, density, and proximity to wetlands. Vines Asiatic bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus Vines will be cut just above ground level and treated with herbicide. Vines will also be cut around 5’ above ground level to improve aesthetics and minimize the chance that resprouting bittersweet will have something to climb. Cut vines will be left in trees to degrade over time. Low growing vines and seedlings will be treated through foliar application. Herbaceous Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata Suitable for hand pulling. Japanese stiltgrass Microstegium Vimineum Suitable for foliar application treatment. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus 5 Figure 3. Map displaying invasive plant densities and distribution observed at the Lathrop Easthampton Campus Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 6 Though invasive plants occur throughout the Lathrop Community Campus, it is not feasible, or recommended to try and manage them all at once. A focused, consistent effort is always more successful. In collaboration with property steward Barbara Walvoord, we have prioritized management recommendations based on past management efforts from both dedicated residents as well as partnering contractors, species, distribution/density, management feasibility, restoration potential, and overall impact to the ecosystem. This plan is designed to lay out realistic management goals and focus in on areas that will have the most positive impact overall in the short term, while causing the least amount of disturbance to the landscape. This assessment focused primarily on the Conservation Restriction parcels, but it is recommended that management areas extend to natural boundaries where populations continue past CR lines. Once management is underway and invasive control goals are being met, there is always the opportunity to expand management even further as time and funding allows. Management of invasive plants on the property has been broken down into three priority tiers. Priority 1 areas are areas that have received invasive plant management in the past but are in need continued follow up management. Priority 2 areas are areas that are within the CR parcels where management has not happened yet but is being recommended. Priority 3 areas are areas where invasive plant populations extend outside of the CR boundaries, but where extending management to natural boundaries are recommended. In addition, we are also recommending invasive plant management within the fields, but it will only require a mowing regime change at this time, so the fields are not included in the priority management areas. The map below (Figure 4) shows priority areas where we are recommending invasive plant management, followed by a methods summary and treatment schedule to manage those areas the most effectively. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus 7 Figure 4. Map displaying areas where prioritizing treatment is recommended. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 8 Methods Summary We recommend the following methods for invasive plant management: Mowing High density woody invasives growing along residential and field edges should be mowed with a brush mower where feasible. Fields should also be mowed on a bi-annual basis when feasible. This equipment reduces the size and foliar density of target species, facilitating subsequent foliar herbicide applications and shifting vegetation to a more desirable species composition. Foliar spray application (backpack sprayers) Foliar applications should be conducted for invasive shrubs < 5’ tall and/or with stems < 1” diameter using hand-pumped backpack sprayers. Leaves should be uniformly wetted, but not to the point of runoff. A 2% herbicide solution will be used (volume/volume) along with a non- ionic surfactant at 0.25% solution (v/v). Treated invasive plants will be left to degrade in place over time and will not be cut or mowed. A. B. Figure 5. A. Crew conducting a foliar spray herbicide application with backpack sprayers. B. The result of a foliar spray herbicide application on invasive vine species 3 weeks after treatment. Cut Stem treatment (CST) For invasive shrubs that are > 5’ tall and/or with stems > 1” diameter and bittersweet vines, a cut stem/stump herbicide application will need to be conducted. Larger plants should be cut with loppers, brush saws or chainsaws. A concentrated herbicide mix (50%) should be applied directly to the cambium or outer layer of each individual cut stem or stump to ensure targeted treatment (Figure 6). Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 9 A. B. Figure 6. Photos depicting a cut stem treatment. Photo A shows bittersweet vines in trees after CST. Photo B shows the equipment and personnel involved in the CST operation after clearing. Herbicide Selection and Environmental Conditions Applications should be conducted with either the wetland approved glyphosate-based herbicide Rodeo® (EPA Reg. No. 62719-324) or a Triclopyr based herbicide such as Vastlan (EPA Reg. No. 62719-68)7, or Garlon 3A (EPA Reg. No. 62719-37) along with a non-ionic wetland surfactant and indicator dye depending on the target species. These herbicide formulations are considered nonvolatile. There should be no rain for a 12-hour period after application and several hours prior to any herbicide application. A wind meter should be used to measure wind speed and wind direction. Wind speeds should be less than 10 mph and ideally in the range of 2-5 mph to avoid non-target damage resulting from a temperature inversion. Temperature should be less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid aerating the herbicide mix. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 10 Treatment Methods & Schedule Priority 1 Areas: (56.5 acres) - Estimated cost per acre for 3 years of treatment = $1,200-$1,400/acre 2023 ➢ Task 1. Cut Stem Treatments. Early Spring/Fall. Cut stem treatments should be performed along higher density field edges to larger woody invasive shrubs and climbing bittersweet vines, as well as any climbing bittersweet vines within interior areas. Cut material should be pulled back from the field edge and left to decompose naturally. This task should be timed either before plants start annual sap flow (December/January), after the initial sap flow has ended (mid to late April), or during the Fall season. Bittersweet vines should receive cut stem treatments in the Fall or Winter only, cut stem treatments in this species is not as successful during the Spring months. ➢ Task 2. Prep cutting. Select areas where there is a high density of glossy buckthorn seedlings and young small diameter growth filling into previously managed areas, should be cut annually, or as needed, to keep the plants from reaching a mature fruiting size. These areas should be re-assessed annually, and the management strategy adapted if needed. These areas were mainly observed within the east side of the east CR parcel. ➢ Task 3. Follow up foliar treatments. Summer. All Priority 1 Areas should receive a spot foliar treatment. New growth invasives have started to fill back into many of these locations, but densities are too high for hand pulling to be feasible. Managing these populations sooner rather than later will bring populations back under control quickly and allow for easier stewardship management in the future. 2024 ➢ Task 4. Follow up foliar treatments. Summer. All Priority 1 Areas should receive a spot foliar treatment to target any missed, or new growth plants. 2025 ➢ Task 5. Follow up foliar treatments. Summer. All Priority 1 Areas should receive a spot foliar treatment to target any missed, or new growth plants. 2026 All areas should be reassessed to determine where continued follow up and or stewardship visits will be necessary and to what extent/frequency. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 11 Priority 2 Areas: (26 acres) - Estimated cost per acre for 3 years of treatment = $1,800 -$2,000/acre 2023 ➢ Task 1. Cut Stem Treatment. Early Spring/Fall. A cut stem treatment should be performed to larger woody invasive shrubs and climbing bittersweet vines. Cut material should be pulled back from edges and left to decompose naturally. This task should be timed either before plants start annual sap flow (December/January), after the initial sap flow has ended (mid to late April), or during the Fall season. Bittersweet vines should receive cut stem treatments in the Fall or Winter only, cut stem treatments in this species is not as successful during the Spring months. ➢ Task 2. Prep cutting. Select areas where there is a high density of glossy buckthorn seedlings and young small diameter growth filling into previously managed areas, should be cut annually, or as needed, to keep the plants from reaching a mature fruiting size. These areas should be re-assessed annually, and the management strategy adapted if needed. These areas were mainly observed within the east side of the east CR parcel. ➢ Task 3. Initial foliar treatment. Summer. All Priority 2 areas should receive an initial foliar treatment. This task would include all invasives that are too small to receive a cut stem treatment. ➢ Task 4. Follow up foliar treatment. Late Summer. All Priority 2 areas should receive a follow up foliar treatment to target any missed or new growth invasive plants. 2024 ➢ Task 5. Follow up foliar treatment. Late Summer. All Priority 2 areas should receive a follow up foliar treatment to target any missed or new growth invasive plants. 2025 ➢ Task 6. Follow up foliar treatment. Late Summer. All Priority 2 areas should receive a follow up foliar treatment to target any missed or new growth invasive plants. 2026 All areas should be reassessed to determine where continued follow up and or stewardship visits will be necessary and to what extent/frequency. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 12 Priority 3 Areas: (7 acres) - Estimated cost per acre for 3 years of treatment = $1,400- $1,800/acre 2023 ➢ Task 1. Cut Stem Treatment. Early Spring/Fall. A cut stem treatment should be performed to larger woody invasive shrubs and climbing bittersweet vines. Cut material should be pulled back from edges and left to decompose naturally. This task should be timed either before plants start annual sap flow (December/January), after the initial sap flow has ended (mid to late April), or during the Fall season. Bittersweet vines should receive cut stem treatments in the Fall or Winter only, cut stem treatments in this species is not as successful during the Spring months. ➢ Task 2. Initial foliar treatment. Summer. All Priority 2 areas should receive an initial foliar treatment. This task would include all invasives that are too small to receive a cut stem treatment. ➢ Task 3. Follow up foliar treatment. Late Summer. All Priority 2 areas should receive a follow up foliar treatment to target any missed or new growth invasive plants. 2024 ➢ Task 4. Follow up foliar treatment. Late Summer. All Priority 2 areas should receive a follow up foliar treatment to target any missed or new growth invasive plants. 2025 ➢ Task 5. Follow up foliar treatment. Late Summer. All Priority 2 areas should receive a follow up foliar treatment to target any missed or new growth invasive plants. 2026 All areas should be reassessed to determine where continued follow up and or stewardship visits will be necessary and to what extent/frequency. Fields: Invasive plant densities within the fields are low enough, where a change in the mowing regime may be enough to shift plant compositions to a more desirable state. We recommend incorporating both a late Fall mow, as well as a late Spring mow into the yearly mowing schedule. Invasive plant densities and native plant composition can be re-assessed each year to monitor the results of this added mowing effort. Depending on the habitat goals for each field, incorporating native seed mixes may also be desirable to help shift the composition even further. Invasive Plant Management Plan Lathrop Community, Easthampton Campus Land Stewardship, Inc. 413-863-6333 PO Box 511 www.landstewardshipinc.com Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 info@landstewardshipinc.com 13 Maintenance & Stewardship Successful invasive plant management requires a serious ongoing commitment to protect investment in this project. Invasive plants can be reintroduced to the project area by wind, birds, and other animals. To keep invasive plants out of the area for the long term it will be necessary to monitor the area for new patches and individual plants even after three years of treatment. Options for managing invasive plants usually include hand-pulling, spot herbicide spraying, and/or repeated cutting. Our hope is that arrangements can be made for continuous stewardship of the property on an annual basis. We can help with planning for invasive plant stewardship in the future. However, successful long-term maintenance is ultimately the responsibility of the landowner who must actively manage the property in order to take appropriate preventative management actions. Restoration Potential The project area consists of upland forest and riparian habitat, as well as field, and field edges that are anthropogenically (human-impacted) disturbed novel ecosystems rather than pristine natural communities. We do not believe that the project should be concerned with active revegetation. Passive regeneration should naturally occur. Over time native plants may be encouraged to fill the spaces previously occupied by invasive species. This should be sufficient to improve the aesthetics and ecology of the area. If desired, after the successful management of invasive species, we might suggest planting fruit and mast-producing woody native shrubs and trees along field edges to improve food availability for birds and other wildlife. Desired field species composition can also continue to be encouraged through seeding depending on overall goals. This plan has been prepared by: Jess Applin, M.S., CERP Director of Ecological Services Jess Applin has worked with Land Stewardship, Inc. since 2016, a company dedicated to ecological restoration planning, invasive plant management and native plant establishment. Jess is passionate about wildlife conservation, landscape ecology, and helping people re-connect with the natural world. She holds a BS in Biology (Westfield State University), an MS in Conservation Biology (Antioch University New England) and is a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) through the Society of Ecological Restoration. She also teaches Principles of Environmental Science as an adjunct professor at Westfield State University, leads wildlife tracking workshops, and runs wildlife camera trainings. In addition, Jess is a level II certified CyberTracker and a member of The Wildlife Society.