Utility corridors

[jhimmel at connix.com]

Good points - I'd add that timing in reducing the overgrowth should play a 
factor, too.  I've heard 2 schools of thought with regard to cutting back a 
meadow to keep it a meadow(I envision ONE of the highest potentials for these 
right-of-ways as long, skinny meadows).  One says in the late fall, one in 
spring (tax day - April 15) - at least here in the northeast US.  This allows 
the seeds to disperse and assures that the larvae are through feeding and have 
entered into pupation.  

There are some great habitats owned by town and state entities that are WASTED 
when they choose to mow them at the wrong times.  Many of these places are only 
cut once a year anyway - but how many of those who make those decisions know 
what a difference a few months can make when it comes to allowing the lepidptera 
to complete their life cycle?  First, you have to get them to care. 

John

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John Himmelman
Killingworth, CT USA
jhimmel at connix.com
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Another possibility to pursue would be to see if the utility would be
willing to plant wildflowers appropriate to the area along stretches of the
corridor that are lacking them.  Or, if they cannot find it within their
budget to do so, would they allow an interested party to do the same?  These
plant species should be, first of all, native to the area.  No more crown
vetch please!  Next, they could be selected for being desireable for nectar
sources (for butterfly purposes), seed production (bird food) and/or visual
appeal (in those areas where the corridor is visible to the public this
could be spectacular).  The potential exists for creation of refugia for
endangered species of plants also.

Of course, all this is moot if they are going to persist in nuking the
corridor regularly with broad-spectrum herbicides.

Jim Mason
jemason at msn.com





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