montview mccc 2021 Plan.pdfMeadows 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
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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:
A nice picture
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
1. Mechanical removal of woody invasive plants
2. 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.
3. Cutting or girdling of trees that exceed 10’ in height, only
within the central, open area of the wetland.
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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:
central, open
area
A path through the shady jungle of mature
staghorn sumac. Laurie Sanders, photo, from “A
Natural History of the Montview Conservation
Area” (2014).
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
1. Mechanical control of invasive species
2. Continued mowing of walking trails
3. 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)
4. Planting of appropriate native shrub, wildflower, and grass species for wildlife
benefit (as feasible)
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To be conducted with Conservation Commission approval
5. 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.
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bramble
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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
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Management Actions as resources allow:
To be conducted without prior Conservation Commission approval
1. Mechanical removal of invasive plants
2. Mowing of 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.
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 to reduce woody re-sprouts. 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).
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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 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:
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
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2. 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.
vehicle
access
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
1. Continue to mow the play-field
2. 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
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potential
shade trees