Houlton Farm Planning Committee Meeting 2016-02-02

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Once the initial restoration takes hold, it may take a number of years for specific species to perform up to the standards set in the restoration goals. Either way, it will be necessary to add additional seed after prescribed burns or spot spraying of invasive herbaceous species. This is a good opportunity to focus on pollinator plants and add diverse pockets within the prairie matrix. Supplemental plantings of plugs can also increase the diversity and coverage of pollinator species, and provide a good opportunity to involve volunteers at the site. Watering events may be necessary depending on seasonal moisture conditions. Prescribed Burns More Information Once prairie and savanna are re-established on the property, it is i°ecouimended to split the entire site up into burn units, for ease of operation and for ecol,ugical reasons (impacts on insects and animals, for instance). Areas of the savannas alongthe river, can ,be combined with sections of the larger prairie/savanna restoration on.the faith field. i" ortant to leave some areas unburned (refugia) to allow insect and anima1 populations over and repopulate burned areas. Rotate the burning of units -fro m year to year, and tr.0 not to burn adjacent units in consecutive years. Prior to a prescribed bu r1l, a burn plan must be devised. The burn contractor can help with the burn plea, P&mits must be obtained from the DNR and local fire officials. Initially, burning would be.r..Q.Ured every one or two years, so that each year a different burn unit w burned. Lori -term." -burns can occur every 3-5 years in prairies and savannas, thoug rvals could allow for the establishment of more woody shrubs if de d. Prior to burning, burn breaks be create contaiAhe fire. Burn breaks consist of a mowed swath in grassland ically at IlWt 8 feet wide. There should be burn breaks between restoration uni nd wit the large rai ie/savanna restoration (1-2). In woodland areas, the b e is c cl ing the leaf litter and any other debris down to mineral soils. Uti sand edges of forests would be useful and easier than makin them fro tch. The burn contractor can also help with the placement an n of b ks. Allowing fire to run into adjacent different land covers is a d strat r exa , breaklines in a prairie unit that is adjacent to woodlan ould be pla sho distance into the woodland, where feasible. This makes for a mar ral lookin d functioning landscape and helps to prevent the woodland from encroa into the airie. Smoke manageme omewhat of a concern for burning on this property, since there are nearby residences, ildings, and roads. Care must be taken to select a burn date where smoke will not reduce visibility on Main Street or become a nuisance for neighbors. Long -Term Monitoring and Maintenance Monitoring is very important to restoration success. Monitoring, evaluation and assessment should be done at least annually by an ecologist or a restoration professional. More frequent monitoring will be needed in the initial phases of restoration to evaluate the Friends of the Mississippi W. H. Houlton Conservation Area NRMP 70 Long -Term Monitoring and Maintenance Monitoring is very important to restoration success. Monitoring, evaluation and assessment should be done at least annually by an ecologist or a restoration professional. More frequent monitoring will be needed in the initial phases of restoration to evaluate the Friends of the Mississippi W. H. Houlton Conservation Area NRMP 70