Land Maintenance and Habitat Management
LAND MAINTENANCE: Land maintenance includes a calendar of activities to maintain trails and infrastructure on each property.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT: Protecting the ecological health of selected properties.
Click here for more information about specific invasive plant species.
Table of Contents
Beerman Fen
Beerman Fen Maintenance Plan
Begin in March and continue every 2 – 3 weeks through the first frost or the end of October:
- Visual inspections of trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers. Look for rotten or damaged kick rails or substructure.
- Mow trails
- Trim encroaching vegetation along trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers
- If needed, use leaf blower to remove excess debris on boardwalks
October through February – After the first frost in autumn start removal and treatment of invasive and noxious woody species (amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, buckthorn, Callery pear) in wooded areas. Follow up with chipping to reduce biomass. Continue through to spring of the next year.
After all major weather events, inspect all areas for damage, flooding, and downed trees which would affect the visitor experience. Report findings and submit photos to BCWA office (Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org). Clean and repair (if capable) affected areas. If additional volunteers are needed, let Beth know.
Volunteers willing to train on the BCS tractor may use the rotary broom attachment to sweep silt after flooding events or clean off dirt and debris when the boardwalk is wet.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Beerman Fen Habitat Management Plan
Begin
Carolee Reserve
Carolee Reserve Maintenance Plan
Mow one-third of prairie areas and follow up with stump treatment of invasive woody species.
Begin in March and continue every 2 – 3 weeks through the first frost or the end of October:
- Visual inspections of trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers. Look for rotten or damaged kick rails or substructure.
- Mow trails
- Trim encroaching vegetation along trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers
- If needed, use leaf blower to remove excess debris on boardwalks
June – Mow 1/3 of prairie (training on our Kubota tractor is available for volunteers willing to mow.)
October through February – After the first frost in autumn start removal and treatment of invasive and noxious woody species (amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, buckthorn, Callery pear) in wooded areas. Follow up with chipping to reduce biomass. Continue through to spring of the next year.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Carolee Reserve Habitat Management Plan
Begin
Dave Nolin Wetland Reserve
Dave Nolin Wetland Reserve Maintenance Plan
Begin in April and continue every 2 – 3 weeks through the first frost or the end of October:
- Visual inspections of trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers. Look for rotten or damaged kick rails or substructure.
- Mow trails
- Trim encroaching vegetation along trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers
- If needed, use leaf blower to remove excess debris on boardwalks
After all major weather events, inspect all areas for damage, flooding, and downed trees which would affect the visitor experience. Report findings and submit photos to BCWA office (Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org). Clean and repair (if capable) affected areas. If additional volunteers are needed, let Beth know.
Volunteers willing to train on the BCS tractor may use the rotary broom attachment to sweep silt after flooding events or clean off dirt and debris when the boardwalk is wet.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Dave Nolin Wetland Reserve Management Plan
Begin
Hagenbuch Reserve (North of Little Beaver Creek)
Hagenbuch Reserve Maintenance Plan
February into early March, before growing season begins – chip any piles of cut woody material
March into April – Litter cleanup of the Little Beaver Creek, weather permitting
April into early May, remove
- Dame’s rocket
- Garlic mustard
- Poison hemlock
Through the summer – Periodically trim the path into the woods at the west end near the transmission tower to maintain access ACCESS TO THE LITTLE BEAVER CREEK?
October through February – Cut and treat woody invasive species (amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, buckthorn, Callery pear) and drag to the edge along bike path (but not in the mowed grass) to be chipped at a later date.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Hagenbuch Reserve Habitat Management Plan
Begin
James P. Amon Biodiversity Reserve
James P. Amon Biodiversity Reserve Maintenance Plan
January and February – Cut and treat woody invasive and noxious species (amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, callery pear) in wooded areas. Stack in piles to be chipped at a later date.
Early March, treat
- Mullien
- Poison hemlock
- Teasel
Mid- to Late March
- Mow one third to one half of meadows to control invasive species. Follow up with stump treatment of woody invasive species.
- Mow one-third of prairie areas and follow up with stump treatment of invasive woody species.
April – Check trees in reforestation areas. Remove cages as needed or trim branches to prevent entrapment of limbs.
Begin in April and continue every 2 – 3 weeks through the first frost or the end of October:
- Visual inspections of trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers. Look for rotten or damaged kick rails or substructure.
- Mow trails
- Trim encroaching vegetation along trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers
- If needed, use leaf blower to remove excess debris on boardwalks
October through February – After the first frost in autumn start removal and treatment of invasive and noxious woody species (amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, buckthorn, Callery pear) in wooded areas. Follow up with chipping to reduce biomass. Continue through to spring of the next year.
After all major weather events, inspect all areas for damage, flooding, and downed trees which would affect the visitor experience. Report findings and submit photos to BCWA office (Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org). Clean and repair (if capable) affected areas. If additional volunteers are needed, let Beth know.
Volunteers willing to train on the BCS tractor may use the rotary broom attachment to sweep silt after flooding events or clean off dirt and debris when the boardwalk is wet.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
James P. Amon Biodiversity Reserve Habitat Management Plan
Begin
Koogler Wetland/Prairie Reserve
Koogler Wetland/Prairie Reserve Maintenance Plan
Begin in April and continue every 2 – 3 weeks through the first frost or the end of October:
- Visual inspections of trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers. Look for rotten or damaged decking, kick rails or substructure. Repair boardwalk as needed.
- Mow trails
- Trim encroaching vegetation along trails, boardwalks, observation decks and towers
- If needed, use leaf blower to remove excess debris on boardwalks
October through February – After the first frost in autumn start removal and treatment of invasive and noxious woody species (amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, buckthorn, Callery pear) in wooded areas. Follow up with chipping to reduce biomass. Continue through to spring of the next year.
After all major weather events, inspect all areas for damage, flooding, and downed trees which would affect the visitor experience. Report findings and submit photos to BCWA office (Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org). Clean and repair (if capable) affected areas. If additional volunteers are needed, let Beth know.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Koogler Wetland/Prairie Reserve Habitat Management Plan
Begin
Little Beaver Creek Prairie
Little Beaver Creek Prairie Maintenance Plan
Before growing season begins – chip any piles of cut woody material
March through mid-April – Litter cleanup on US35 embankment, weather permitting
April into early May, remove
- Dame’s rocket
- Garlic mustard
- Poison hemlock
- Teasel rosettes
June through mid-July – Manual cattail control by cutting green stalks down to ground level in wetland and in ditch along US-35 exit ramp. Carry stalks out of the wetland and place in a pile to dry.
June through August – Teasel control on the US-35 embankment and on the slope between the prairie and wetland. The entire prairie should be checked for teasel.
Late August through mid-September – Wipe cattail resprouts with RoundUp Custom while they are still green. (Wiping cattails requires specific training and protective apparel. Contact the BCWA office for more information at 937-320-9042 or Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org)
October through February
- Cut and treat invasive woody vegetation (amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, buckthorn, Callery pear) from wooded areas.
- Cut and treat all woody vegetation encroaching into prairie and on US-35 embankment, including native species with the exception of lance-leaf buckthorn (Rhamnus lanceolate).
- Stack material to be chipped at a later date.
After all major weather events, inspect all areas for damage, flooding, and downed trees which would affect the visitor experience. Report findings and submit photos to BCWA office (Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org). Clean and repair (if capable) affected areas. If additional volunteers are needed, let Beth know.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Little Beaver Creek Prairie Habitat Management Plan
Begin
Monarch Waystation
Monarch Waystation Maintenance Plan
February into early March, before growing season begins
- Manually break up standing dead flower stalks, leaving about 12-18” standing for stem-nesting bees.
- Cut back prairie dropseed along border and other clumps of prairie grasses within the Waystation.
- Leave all plant material scattered on site.
March into early April – Assess status of non-native pasture/lawn grasses, and if needed, ask to have area mowed with a follow-up treatment of a grass-specific herbicide. This must be done early in the season while the native warm-season grasses are still dormant. If herbicide is used, the prairie dropseed on the border will need to be protected by covering with 5-gallon buckets. Search the site for new patches of reed canary grass, which should also be treated with a grass-specific herbicide.
Early April through late September
- Trim, edge and weed the border
- Remove tree saplings
- Remove invasive plants that appear
- Pull or cut aggressive native plants (i.e. goldenrods, oxeye, grape vines, Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and other vines)
- Add plants as needed
September through November – Continue to cut and treat tree saplings within the Monarch Waystation and pull vines, including poison ivy
Volunteering at the Monarch Waystation includes public education by interacting with passersby. You may answer questions, identifying plants, highlighting host plant/caterpillar relationships, pointing out butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, caterpillars, beetles, bees and other pollinators, predators, and birds that are all utilizing this habitat.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Monarch Waystation Management Plan
Begin
Siebenthaler Fen
Siebenthaler Fen Maintenance Plan
Begin in April and continue every 2 – 3 weeks through the first frost or the end of October:
- Visual inspections of trails, boardwalks and tower. Look for rotten or damaged kick rails or substructure.
- Trim encroaching vegetation along trails, boardwalks and tower
- If needed, use leaf blower to remove excess debris on boardwalks
After all major weather events, inspect all areas for damage, flooding, and downed trees which would affect the visitor experience. Report findings and submit photos to BCWA office (Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org). Clean and repair (if capable) affected areas. If additional volunteers are needed, let Beth know.
Volunteers willing to train on the BCS tractor may use the rotary broom attachment to sweep silt after flooding events or clean off dirt and debris when the boardwalk is wet.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Siebenthaler Fen Management Plan
Begin
Zimmerman Prairie State Nature Preserve
Zimmerman Prairie State Nature Preserve Maintenance Plan
Before growing season begins – chip any piles of cut woody material
March through mid-April – Litter cleanup on US35 embankment, weather permitting
April into early May, remove
- Dame’s rocket
- Garlic mustard (slope along bike path)
- Poison hemlock
Mid-May – Assess progress of cattail removal and make a plan for current year’s work
June – Cut Canada and tall goldenrod stems down to 6 inches (Use 2-year treatment control methods)
June through mid-July – Manual cattail control by cutting green stalks down to ground level. Carry stalks out of the wetland and place in a pile to dry.
June through August – Teasel control
Late August through mid-September
- Wipe cattail resprouts with RoundUp Custom while they are still green. (Wiping cattails requires specific training and protective apparel. Contact the BCWA office for more information at 937-320-9042 or Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org)
- Cut Canada and tall goldenrod stalks down to 12 inches when in full flower. (Use 2-year treatment control methods)
October through February
- Cut and treat invasive and native woody vegetation (amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, buckthorn, Callery pear) encroaching into prairie and fen, leaving some patches intact per DNAP (Department of Natural Areas and Preserves) management plant.
- All woody material under power transmission lines should be removed.
- Stack cut material on slope near mowed grass strip that runs along the bike path to be chipped at a later date.
CLICK HERE for more information on invasive species removal.
Zimmerman Prairie State Nature Preserve Management Plan
Begin