onservation Times

Newsletter of the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Inc. January 2010

Invasive Plants in Your Yard? Control Them While You Still Can!
Thoughyoumaynotknowit,chancesareprettygood youhaveinvasiveplantsgrowinginyouryard.Thispast year,theDistricttookstepstohelplandownersidentify andcontrolthembypublishingaguidetocommon backyardinvasiveswithagrantfromTheRockfall Foundation.Wefiguredcorrectlythatitwouldbea neededreferencecopiesareflyingofftheshelf,andwe arealreadythinkingaboutthenextprinting!Thisarticle containsexcerptsfromtheguidesintroduction.Youcan viewtheentireguideatwww.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal, lookforitatyourlocallibrary,or Why Invasives contactourofficetoobtainacopy. Whatareinvasivesanyway?These plantsareaggressiveexoticspecies introducedintentionallyfortheir ornamentalvalue,oraccidentallyby hitchhikingwithpeopleorproducts. Theythriveinourgrowingconditions, andwithnonaturalenemies,theyhave nothingtochecktheirrapidgrowth. invasivescanstillbepurchasedatlocalgardencenters. Second,itiscriticaltotakeactionassoonasyoudiscover them;onceinvasivesbecomeestablished,theycanbe extremelydifficulttoremove. Therearethreebasicapproachestocontrollinginvasives: mechanical,chemicalandbiological.Thebeststrategy dependsonthetypeofplantandextentoftheinfestation.

Mechanicalcontrolspulling,digging,cutting,mowing andshadingshouldbeusedasafirstlineofdefense. Theyworkwellforsmallinfestations, are Invasive causeminimalenvironmentalimpact, They are quick to establish, especially andforthemostpartonlyrequirebasic in disturbed areas gardeningtools.
They grow rapidly once established They are long flowering and produce many seeds and fruits They spread effectively to new areas They are aggressive competitors, free of the enemies that keep them in check in their natural range

Chemicalcontrolapplyingherbicides toleaves,cutstumpsorbarkcanbe veryeffective,buttherearepotential environmentalandhealthrisks,andin somecasesapermitisrequired.

Theenvironmentalcostsofinvasives aregreat.Theycrowdoutnativevegetationandreduce biologicaldiversity,canchangehowwholeecosystems function,andposeathreattoendangeredspecies. SeveralorganizationsarehardatworkinConnecticut preventingthespreadofinvasives,includingtheInvasive PlantCouncil,theInvasivePlantWorkingGroup,andthe InvasivePlantAtlasofNewEngland.Butasstewardsof ourownproperties,wealsoneedtodoourpart. Whyshouldyoubeconcernedaboutinvasivesonyour property?Theycankillyourfavoritetrees,showupin yourgardens,andoverrunyourlawn.Becauseitcanbe costlytoremoveinvasives,theycanevenloweryour propertyvalue.Whatsmore,theycanescapetonearby parks,openspacesandnaturalareas. Whatshouldyoudoifyouhaveinvasivesinyouryard? Removethembeforetheinfestationworsens!Replacing invasiveswithnativeplantspeciesisthebestapproach. Therearemanyexcellentnativealternativestochoose from,andplantingthempromoteslocalbiodiversity, providesnativewildlifewithsourcesoffoodandcover, andcreatesabeautifulgreenspaceforyoutoenjoy. Howcanyoucontrolinvasivesonyourproperty?The numberoneruleisDONOTPLANTTHEMinthefirst place!Whilethismayseemquiteobvious,somecommon

Biologicalcontroltheuseofnatural enemiesmaybethemethodofchoice inthefuture,howeverfornowtheonlyviableoption availableisforpurpleloosestrife. Theguideisagreatresourcetogetstartedaddressing invasivesinyouryard.Itcontainsdetailedidentification andcontrolinformation,andsuggestionsfornative alternativesfortencommoninvasives:burningbush, Japanesebarberry,multiflorarose,autumnolive,treeof heaven,orientalbittersweet,Japaneseknotweed,purple loosestrife,garlicmustard,andcommonreed. AnddontforgettheDistrictsannualplantsaleis comingup(seeinformationonbackpage).Besuretocheck outthemanynativeplantofferingsyoucanuseto enhanceyourlandscape...andreplacethoseinvasives!
ThankstoEricMosher,theDistrictsformerWatershedProjects Coordinator,forconceivingoftheideaoftheinvasivesguideand gettingitstartedbackin2008,andtoWendyGoodfriend,for bringingittofruitionasaveryusableandattractiveresource.
Plant native highbush blueberry in place of the invasive burning bush, and enjoy edible fruit too!

L.J. Mehrhoff, IPANE (L); John Amis, UGA (R)

From the Field...

Laurel Brook Study Provides Clues to Streams Bacteria Sources
Tofollowuponveryhighlevelsofbacteriameasuredin LaurelBrookatWadsworthFallsStateParkin2008by ConnecticutRiverWatchProgramvolunteers,District staffconductedanintensivestreamcorridorassessment thispastsummer.Designedtocomplementapetwaste managementprojectattheparkundertakenbythe DistrictincollaborationwithCTDEP,thestudyconsisted ofcollectingandanalyzingwatersamplesforE.coli bacteria,andconductingatrackdownsurvey,astream walkfocusedonidentifyingpotentialsourcesofpollution andrestorationactions.Whilenoobvioussourcesof bacteriawereidentifiedthroughwatermonitoring, resultssuggestthatthemostsignificantandlikelysources arelocatedinthelowerthirdofthewatershed.High prioritypollutionreductionrecommendationsinclude threestormwateroutfallimprovements,astreambuffer restoration,waterqualitytreatmentforanopenwater pond,upgrade/maintenanceoftwoonsitewastewater disposalsystems,andfivestreamculvertimprovements. FutureassessmentandrestorationactivitiesintheLaurel Brookwatershedwillbeguidedbyresultsofthestudy.
Laurel Brook water monitoring results suggest bacteria sources are most likely located in the lower third of the watershed, helping to direct future studies to the downstream area. Further, much higher bacteria levels were measured during wet weather than dry, suggesting that runoff related sources are more significant than chronic sources, like failing septic systems.

Management Plan Developed for Old Lyme Watch Rock Preserve

Inanewcollaboration withtheU.S.Fishand WildlifeServiceandCT SeaGrant,thispastyear theDistrictdevelopeda HabitatbasedManage mentPlanforOldLyme ConservationTrusts25 acreWatchRockPreserve. Theplanfollowsamodel designedbyCTSeaGrant andUConnsNEMO Programasatoolforlandtrustsandmunicipalitiesto promotestewardshipandmanagementofprotectedopen space.WatchRockcontainsarichdiversityofnatural habitats:coastaldeciduousforest,conifergrove,open field,vernalpool,brackishmarshandcreek,androcky shoreline.Ithasalongandsignificantculturalhistory datingback4500years,andprovidescoastalaccessand avarietyofopportunitiesforpassiverecreation. Natural,culturalandrecreationalresourcesaredescribed intheplan,threatsareidentified,andmanagement recommendationsaremadetoprotecttheseresources andallowforcontinuedpublicenjoyment.Asisthecase withmanyoftheregionsopenspacelands,nonnative invasivespeciesposeoneofthemostseriousthreatsto thepreservesnaturalhabitats.Mostaffectedarethe coastalforest(wingedeuonymous,honeysuckle,Oriental bittersweet),andtidalsaltmarsh(commonreed).
Partialfundingforthisprojectprovidedbyacooperativeagreement fromU.S.FishandWildlifeService,withgenerousassistancefrom CTSeaGrant,UConnExtensionSystemsNEMOProgram,and OldLymeConservationTrust.

Swamp Brook Track Down Survey Identifies Restoration Needs

MiddletownsSwampBrookwastheeighthstream evaluatedaspartoftheDistrictsongoingtrackdown surveyeffortintheMattabessetwatershed.InternJessica Bellassistedwiththefieldwork,datamanagementand mapping.Sevenhighpriorityareasinthestreams watershedwereproposedforrestorationactionbased onthesurvey.Recommendedmanagementmeasures includestormwaterqualityretrofits,culvertreplacement andmaintenance,bankandchannelstabilization,channel protectionretrofit,streambuffer planting,livestockexclusion, andwatershedwidelandowner educationandstreetsweeping andcatchbasincleanout.
Fundingforthisprojectwasprovided byaUSEPACleanWaterActSection 319GrantadministeredbyCTDEP.

District Monitors Success of Invasives Removal at Salt Island Overlook

Atfirstglance,thetangleofinvasiveplantsthatoccupied theTownofWestbrooksSaltIslandOverlookopenspace propertylookeddaunting.Woulditreallybepossibleto reclaimthisareaovertakenbymultiflorarose,Oriental bittersweet,Japanesebarberry,Norwaymaple,andbush honeysuckle?Amultiphaseprojecttorestorethecoastal uplandforestattheOverlookwasinitiatedin2009,with theDistricttakingtheleadonmonitoringthesuccessof invasivecontrolactivitiesconductedbyAllHabitats,Inc. Wearepleasedtoreportthattheseeffortshavemadea tremendousdifference;manypartsofthepropertythat werepreviouslyimpassiblearenowaccessible,making futureinvasivecontrolworkmorefeasible,andbringing thetownclosertorealizingitsultimategoalofopening upthepropertyforpublicenjoyment.
ThisprojectisfundedbyagrantfromtheLongIslandSoundLicense PlateFundtotheTownofWestbrook.

Intern Jessica Bell

CRCCDs 62nd Annual Meeting Features Tour of the CT River Museum

Continuinganewtraditionoftravelingaroundthe Districtbegunlastyear,our62ndAnnualMeetingon November7,2009tookplaceattheConnecticutRiver MuseuminEssex.Afterabriefbusinessmeeting,alook athighlightsofourpastyear,aceremonytohonorour 2009ConservationAwardwinners(seelistbelow),and refreshmentsandconversation,participantswere treatedtoaspecialguided tourofthemuseumled byJenniferWhiteDobbs, DirectorofEducation(at centerofphotoonright). Thankstothemuseumfor hostingourmeeting,and toJenniferforproviding anenlighteninglookback atthehistoryandheritage oftheConnecticutRiver.
Photos: J. Costello

The Annual Meeting offered a rare opportunity to take a photo of our staff and many of our Board members! From left to right: Wendy Goodfriend, Jennifer Weymouth, Jane Brawerman, Tom ODell, Michael Lutz, Jim Costello, Alison Guinness, Tim Myjak, Cindy Gaudino, and Barbara Davis.

Landowners Learn How to Create Backyard Wildlife Habitat by Example

EleanoreMilardohasbeenonamission.Shehasboth transformedheryardfromalawndominated3/4acre suburbanlotintoadiversearrayofplantsandhabitats, andcommittedherselftohelpingotherslearnbyher example.Forthethirdtime,theDistricthelpedsponsor anonsiteseminaratEleanoreshomesite,inpartnership withUSDANaturalResourcesConservationServiceand ProjectGreenLawn.Nowfeaturing120nativespecies, heryardprovidesareallifeexampleofhowatypical yardcanberedesignedtopromoteahealthydiverse ecosystemandenhancewildlifevalue;awayforothers tovisualizesuchamakeoveroftheirownproperties. OnabeautifulSundayinearlyfall,twentypeople gatheredtolearnfromEleanoresyard.CTDepartment ofEnvironmentalProtectionWildlifeBiologistPeter Piconegaveaninformationpackedpresentationand walkingtour,highlightingtherelationshipbetweenthe nativeplantsandabundantinsects,birdsandmammals thatnowsharethegarden.Attheworkshop,wewere pleasedtopresentEleanorewithanawardfromthe Districtin recognitionof hereffortsto transformher smalllotinto ahavenfor wildlife,and toteachand inspireothers.

Congratulations 2009 Conservation Award Recipients!

EnvironmentalProfessional JiffMartin,CTStateDirector, AmericanFarmlandTrust,and ProjectDirector,WorkingLandsAlliance MunicipalProject EastHaddamOpenSpaceCommission& EastHaddamLandTrust Cooperator JoeGreenbacker,GreenbackerFarm,Durham Teacher CourtneyJohnson,MiddletownRegional VocationalAgricultureCenter SpecialMerit TheGreeningOurValleyInitiative SaybrookPointInn&Spa CertificatesofAppreciation GaryCrump&GloriaPriam,PriamVineyards BridgetRiordan,ChamardVineyards DavidRichards,ClintonNurseries Mark&MindyYuknat,CTRiverExpeditions MatthewRubin,OldSaybrookShoppingCenter PierreBennerup,SunnyBorderNurseries RobMerritt,R2Graphics SandiRose,RosesBerryFarm ThomasD.Comer,CPA,ComerandCompany,LLC WesleyanEnvironmentalOrganizersNetwork

District News & Events

FAREWELL TO WENDY GOODFRIEND
InearlyJanuary,weweresorrytosaygoodbyeto WendyGoodfriendandherhusbandJohnRozumas theybegantheirjourneytoCaliforniatopursuenew professionalopportunitiesandbenearertofamily.Our NaturalResourceSpecialistforsevenyears,Wendyhas beenatremendousassettotheDistrict.Itwillbe difficulttofillhershoes.Herenergy,creativity,diverse skillsandtalents,andexperiencewillbemissedvery muchbyherDistrictcolleaguesthroughoutthestate, andthemanypartnersshehasworkedwithoverthe years.Sheleavesagreatlegacy,includingnumerous firstclasseducationalpublicationssheproduced.We wishWendyandJohnallthebestinCalifornia!

January2010
TheConnecticutRiverCoastalConservation District,Inc.isanonprofitorganization whosemissionistopromotethesounduse andmanagementofournaturalresources throughtechnicalassistanceandeducation. BoardofDirectors ThomasM.ODell,Westbrook,Chair AlisonGuinness,EastHaddam,V.Chair ChristopherHolden,Portland,Treasurer CindyGaudino,Middletown,Secretary JimCostello,EastHaddam GaryCrump,Colchester MichaelLutz,Higganum TimothyMyjak,EastHaddam BrianOConnor,Clinton MarkYuknat,Essex JenniferWeymouth,Middletown DistrictStaff JaneL.Brawerman
ExecutiveDirector

Wendy (l) gets congratulated by Jane and Tom after receiving her 2008 Environmental Professional award

CHILLY BUT LOVELY! 5TH ANNUAL RIVER CRUISE FUNDRAISER ENJOYED BY ALL
Forthefirsttime,forecastedweatherpostponedour annualTreeSwallowCruiseandWineTastingto benefitCRWP.Sadly,somewerentabletoattend therescheduledcruise.Despitetheforebodingsky, andoursomewhatdampenedspirits,theclouds liftedanditturnedouttobeabeautifulevening.Mostimportantly,the birdsincludingseveralbaldeaglesdidnotdisappoint!Specialthanksto RiverQuestownersMarkandMindyYuknat,PriamVineyardsGaryCrump andGloriaPriam,andBridgetRiordanofChamardVineyardsfortheir generouscontributions.ThanksalsotoDarrellGagnon,acousticguitarist andsinger,whoprovidedliveentertainment.And,ofcourse,thankstoall oftheenthusiasticattendeeswhomadetheeventsomuchfun.

(Hiringinprocessstaytuned!)
NaturalResourceSpecialist

BarbaraA.Davis
OfficeAdministrator

TheDistrictservesthetownsofBerlin, Chester,Clinton,Colchester,Cromwell, DeepRiver,Durham,EastHaddam,East Hampton,Essex,Haddam,Hebron, Killingworth,Lyme,Madison,Marlborough, Middlefield,Middletown,NewBritain, Newington,OldLyme,OldSaybrook, Portland,RockyHill,SalemandWestbrook. TheBoardofDirectorsholdspublicmeetings everyfourthWednesday,7:00PM,atthe deKovenHouseCommunityCenterin Middletown.Allprogramsandservicesare offeredonanondiscriminatorybasiswithout regardtorace,color,nationalorigin,religion, sex,age,maritalstatusorhandicap. Conservation Times ispublishedby:
ConnecticutRiverCoastal ConservationDistrict,Inc. deKovenHouseCommunityCenter 27WashingtonStreet Middletown,CT06457 Phone:(860)3463282 FAX:(860)3463284 www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal

19TH ANNUAL SHRUB AND SEEDLING SALE: April 16, 17 & 18, 2010
OldSaybrookShoppingCenter,BostonPostRd.&ElmSt.,OldSaybrook Lookingforagoodsourceofeasytogrownative plants?Interestedinaddingediblestoyour landscape?Looknofurther!Inadditiontoour wideselectionofConnecticutnativeshrubs, grasses,ferns,floweringperennialsandtree seedlings,thisyearweareagainofferingan expandedselectionofediblelandscapeplants, continuingathemeofpromotingmoreutilitarian yards.Forabrochureandorderformgoto www.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal,orphoneusat (860)3463282. Quantitiesofsomeselectionsarelimited,sodontmissoutreserveyour plantsbysendinginyourorderformonorbeforeMarch26,2010.

READING THE LANDA PRACTICAL WORKSHOP FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS: APRIL 29, 2010, 9:00 AM-12:30 PM
deKovenHouse,27WashingtonStreet,Middletown,CT RealEstateProfessionalsEarn3CEUsatthisworkshoponnaturalresource topicsofimportancetoyou!Learnhowtousewebbasedsoilmaps,theins andoutsofsepticsystems,howwetlandsareregulatedinCT,andaboutLow ImpactDevelopmentpractices.Foracopyofthebrochureandregistration form,gotowww.conservect.org/ctrivercoastal,orphone(860)3463282.

Line art by Tom Kelley, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service