Public Information Centre The Niagara Parks Commission

Transcription

1 WELCOME Public Information Centre The Niagara Parks Commission

2 Niagara Parks Stewardship Program The lands protected by The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) encompass a very unique and important ecological area for residents, visitors, and wildlife. In hosting millions of visitors each year, NPC is faced with a variety of challenges in ensuring the ecological sustainability of the lands it in entrusted to preserve. As a result, there is a need to balance the demands to both steward and safeguard the natural features of the Parks, with the growing appreciation of residents and the visiting public to enjoy all that Niagara Parks has to offer. As a means to address these competing priorities, the NPC Parks Department has established its own Environmental Management Plan, and is committed through its actions to fulfilling the overall mission of the Commission, which is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River As part of these efforts, NPC s Parks Department has undertaken a stewardship program in 2014, which has resulted in: Planting of over 30,000 native trees such as oaks, maples, pines and spruce at Legends on the Niagara Restoration of over 500 metres of Niagara River and Dufferin Islands shoreline Prescribed burning of over 40 acres of grassland and savannah Dusky Salamander Habitat Conservation initiatives Removal and naturalization of an asphalt service road in Fort Erie Collaboration with: - Trees Ontario, Canadian Wildlife Federation - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority - Niagara Restoration Council - Niagara College - Organizations and agencies Educational outreach to thousands of visitors and local residents through seed-collectors workshops, tree planting, guided tours, and presentations Wildlife and forest management 2

3 Legends on the Niagara Golf Complex Designated an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary In February 2014, NPC s Legends on the Niagara Golf Complex achieved designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. NPC has been working to achieve this designation with the Audubon International since Course Certification requires maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas. These categories include: Environmental Planning Wildlife & Habitat Management Outreach and Education Wildlife and Habitat Management Chemical Use Reduction and Safety Water Conservation and Water Quality Management Legends on the Niagara is the 52 nd golf course in Ontario and the 876 th in the world to be designated with the prestigious designation in recognition of its environmental stewardship activities. Legends on the Niagara and the Battle of Chippawa sites are comprised of 177 hectares (438 acres) of protected natural areas Six hectares (15 acres) of previously managed turf grass has now been naturalized, including utilizing prescribed burns to help regenerate native habitat Four hectares (Ten acres) of wetland is protected with six gardens for birds/wildlife/native pollinators added Reforestation of nine hectares (24 acres) of former agricultural fields Chemical Use Reduction and Safety Significant reduction in chemical and fertilizer use since the opening of the course Adaptive strategies and thorough Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) Mechanical, physical and biological controls before the use of chemicals No spray zones established, buffer zone expansion, licensed applicators only Water Conservation Removal of 14 hectares (35 acres) of land from the irrigation grid Soil management programs and storm-water collection/retention efforts Annual irrigation system upgrades and remote site control of irrigation system Water Quality Management Enhancement of Ussher s Creek habitat and expansion of vegetative buffers Regular water testing and aquatic insect sampling Strategies to reduce dissolved solids in water and spoon feeding nutrients as required Installation of drainage on in play areas Outreach and Education Increase in community organizations and expert involvement (e.g. nesting box program) Clubhouse display, course signage, habitat protection areas Host IPM Accreditation Public Meetings; staff involvement/communications 3

4 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) What is it? The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a non-native invasive insect that has killed millions of ash trees in southwestern Ontario and in the United States of America Infested ash trees will die off within two to five years EAB poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and forested areas Emerald ash borer feeds on all ash (Fraxinus spp.) species in Ontario, including green, red, white, black, blue, and non-native species such as European black ash Native to Asia, the Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in Ontario in Windsor, in June 2002 and in the Niagara Region in 2009 Emerald Ash Borer infestation within Niagara Parks was confirmed in 2012 Found across much of southern Ontario east to Ottawa and north to Sault Ste. Marie The Niagara Region has been deemed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as a regulated area which prevents the movement of any ash material and firewood of all ash species out of the Niagara Region into non-regulated areas Management Low intensity thinning and replanting with alternative native tree species is required Trees can be protected by injecting them with an insecticide (e.g.treeazin) Total removal of ash trees from woodlot is not recommended as this can result in the establishment of invasive species and make soils vulnerable to wind erosion Restrictions on the transport of infested ash products (firewood, lumber, mulch) Species Identification and Life Cycle Shiny metallic-green adults emerge in June/July and are 8.5 to 13.5 mm long Adults have a flattened head, with large black compound eyes on the sides of the head, and short antennae Eggs are laid one at a time in bark crevices on ash trees Cream-coloured larvae, 26 to 32 mm long, flattened with a brown head and pincers Larvae overwinter under the bark and pupate in April or May Symptoms and Damage Larvae feed by chewing S shaped galleries under the bark. This tunneling girdles the tree, cutting off the flow of food and water; branch mortality leads to whole tree mortality and eventually tree death Adults leave D shaped exit holes 4 to 5mm across on the bark of infected trees Sawdust will be evident in tunnels New shoots growing on branches and trunk Photos courtesy of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 4

5 Forest Management in Niagara The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) administers and enforces the Regional Municipality of Niagara Tree and Forest Conservation By-law Number , to ensure that tree cutting is carried out in accordance with Good Forestry Practices. The by-law was introduced to conserve and improve woodlands in Niagara. It regulates the destruction of trees in woodlands by cutting, burning or other means and prohibits the clearing of woodlands except under specific circumstances. Good Forestry Practices Good Forestry Practices refers to forest activities that enable the forest to grow healthy plants, maintain ecological processes and wildlife habitats as well as products. Good forestry practices: Minimize environmental damage to the site (soil, water and vegetation) Protect forest components including species diversity Minimize damage to or enhance wildlife habitats Encourage sustainable forest management Provide for worker safety Provide continual and increased economic benefits to landowners Should be consistent with long-term forest management planning Guidelines followed to encourage good forestry practices include: Timing Implement thinning when the ground is frozen and snow-covered Wildlife habitat protection - Avoid critical nesting and breeding periods. Retain recommended levels of canopy closure, buffer protection for pertinent wildlife habitats and nest, cavity, and den trees as well as future snags and mast trees Protect other forest values - Including significant wildlife habitat or vegetation Tree marking - A Certified Tree Marker must do all tree marking in a woodland. Buffers/Reserves - retain a 30 meter buffer beside open fields or roads to reduce wind erosion and minimize invasion by non-native species. Maintain buffers between cut areas and waterbodies, rare vegetation communities, and significant habitat Cutting and felling - Use directional felling to minimize damage to the residual stand Roads, skid trails, and landings - Skid trails and roads should avoid steep slopes, wet spots, seepage and poorly-drained areas, and intermittent streams. Minimize number and width of skid trails; follow land contours. Never skid directly up or down a slope 5

6 Project Plan to Manage EAB at Legends on the Niagara Low-Intensity Thinning at Legends on the Niagara Golf Course The arrival of the invasive species into Niagara Parks in 2012 has already resulted in a decline in ash tree health. In response, NPC has inventoried all ash trees within its jurisdiction The number of ash tree removals by NPC Forestry Staff due to declining health and safety hazards has nearly doubled from 137 in 2013 to 225 in 2014 to date NPC, in collaboration with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) and the Niagara Restoration Council (NRC), are proposing to implement a woodlot management - low intensity thinning program in the winter 2015 on a 40 hectare (100 acre) forested parcel at the Legends on the Niagara Golf Course to mitigate the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer A low intensity thinning is a pro-active woodlot management tool which will: - Follow good forestry practices as approved by NPCA s Registered Professional Forester - Result in the cutting of approximately 30% of the existing tree cover - Utilize existing ash trees while they are still useable as lumber or firewood - Reduce safety risks to playable and public areas due to fallen trees and limbs - Promote the growth of other tree species - Ensure neighbouring landowners are not impacted by woodlot management plan. Woodlot Management Low Intensity Thinning Process: 1 Secure vendor(s) through an Open Request for Proposal process. 2 Approval of plan from vendor(s) and Good Forestry Practices Permit by NPCA. 3 Mark trees to be cut by a Certified Tree Marker. 4 Cutting and removal of trees is only to be permitted while ground is frozen to minimize impacts to surrounding vegetation and soil. 5 Removal of downed trees using cables, slings and a skidder. 6 Leave tree tops and branches for wildlife and soil enhancement. 7 Removal of logs from cut areas to be utilized as lumber and/or firewood. 8 Restore all skid and access trails. 9 Replant thinned areas with alternate tree species (Oak, Maple, Poplar, for example) 10 Regular monitoring of tree health, seedling survival, and for the presence of invasive species. 6

7 Ash Tree Densities at Legends on the Niagara Proposed UTM NAD83 Zone 17N Meters Ash Trees Found on Legends on The Niagara Golf Course N Forest canopy cover in the proposed thinning area is comprised of over per cent ash trees, all of which are vulnerable to Emerald Ash Borer. 7

8 Proposed Low Intensity Thinning Area at Legends on the Niagara Proposed The proposed low intensity thinning will reduce the potential for fallen trees and limbs near the Niagara Parkway and Niagara River Recreation Trail, adjacent residential areas, and playable areas of the golf course. 8

9 Examples of Low Intensity Thinning in the Niagara Region Niagara Woodlot Dense Forest Canopy Cover Prior to Woodlot Management The dense forest canopy cover limits the amount of sunlight reaching the ground, preventing other tree species from growing. Niagara Woodlot Ash Dominated Forest Prior to Woodlot Management Healthy and beneficial trees for wildlife will be left to provide potential seed sources and nesting habitat. Niagara Woodlot Low Intensity Thinning in Progress The use of a skidder and cables to remove logs out of the forest limits the impact to the surrounding vegetation and soil. Niagara Woodlot Post Thinning Approximately 30 per cent of the forest canopy will be removed, leaving space for other tree species to grow. Photos courtesy of Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. 9

10 Proposed Timeline 1 Distribute Request for Proposals for vendor(s) Winter Finalize agreement with vendor(s) and receive approvals Winter Implement woodlot management - low intensity thinning plan Winter 2015 and 2016 (dependent on weather conditions, such as frozen ground). 4 Restoration of thinned areas including planting and trail repair Spring 2015 and 2016 * While NPC plans to complete this project in 2015, limitations due to weather conditions may require this project to continue in the winter Contact Information Scott Priest Superintendent Parks Department The Niagara Parks Commission P.O. Box 150, 7400 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6T2 Tel: (905) ext. 246 Fax: (905) spriest@niagaraparks.com Tom Newton Golf Course Superintendent, Legends on the Niagara Complex The Niagara Parks Commission P.O. Box 150, 7400 Portage Road Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6T2 Tel: (905) ext. 14 Fax: (905) tnewton@niagaraparks.com Dan Drennan, Registered Professional Forester Forester Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Road West, 3rd Floor Welland, ON L3C 3W2 Tel: (905) ext. 247 Fax: (905) ddrennan@npca.ca 10

11 THANK YOU For Your Interest From The Niagara Parks Commission