Old Field Management (Jared Elliot Preserve, Guilford CT)

jh jhimmel at mindspring.com
Thu Aug 22 14:42:34 EDT 2002


We'll bring this up at our next CT Butterfly Association meeting.  We have
been involved in an advisory capacity for a number of state organizations,
agencies, etc and should be able to offer input on this piece as well.  I
agree - it's a gem!

John

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
John Himmelman
Killingworth, CT
jhimmel at mindspring.com
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 Visit my websites at:
  www.johnhimmelman.com
  www.connecticutmoths.com
  www.ctamphibians.com
____________________________

  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu]On Behalf Of Dale Roberts/Bill Yule
  Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 1:06 PM
  To: leps
  Cc: VA-MD-DE-Bugs at yahoogroups.com; pcomins; Marydcas at aol.com;
Jemcdougal at aol.com; Noble Proctor; William Johnson
  Subject: Old Field Management (Jared Elliot Preserve, Guilford CT)


  Hi all,
           Last year I had touted a Guilford Land Conservation Trust
property called the "Jared Elliot Preserve" (AKA Mullberry Point Clam Farm)
along the coast as an excellent example of a wet meadow habitat and a great
butterfly spot.  The Connecticut Butterfly Association even had an
unscheduled field trip there that was very successful.  I have a very hefty
species list of butterflies that I have seen there. I have written about the
wet meadow characteristics and the butterflies I've seen there on this list
several times.  I had made suggestions to members of the Guilford Land Trust
that the best management practice to preserve the old field characteristics
and to manage for butterfly conservation was to mow once a year, either in
April or November. Apparently my suggestions never got to the right people
because yesterday the entire meadow was mown (mowed?).  This is a shame
since the field was full of blooming New York Ironweed, three species of
milkweed, Joe Pie Weed, Thistle and other butterfly nectar sources. Although
it's too late this year to do anything about this for this season I want to
present the Guilford Land Trust with some materials that would support my
position as to the best mowing schedule for an old field such as this. I'm
making a REQUEST of all of you out there on this listserve to please help me
gather some materials, studies and references on managing fields for
butterfly conservation.

  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.
  Contact me either on or off the list.  Guilford has another similar wet
meadow located inland (Braemore Property) that is managed by the Guilford
Conservation Commission and I have made the same management suggestions to
them but if I can get additional materials I can make a similar presentation
to them to reinforce that position.  It would be nice if I were able to put
together an "Old Field Management Tool Kit" that could be used by municipal
land use stewards and if I get enough material I'll do just that.

  Sorry for any cross-posting.

                                    Many thanks,

                                       Bill Yule
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