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A Management Plan for Swendsen Farm, Bethlehem, CT. February 2004. 1890. 1908. 1890. 1908. 1930. 1930. 2003. Swendsen Farm. Agriculture. Swendsen Farm Agriculture. Area: 68.5 acres Crops: Corn Hay Pumpkins. Current Management Practices. Herbicides and Pesticides Liming
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A Management Plan for Swendsen Farm, Bethlehem, CT February 2004
1890 1908 1890 1908 1930 1930 2003
Swendsen Farm Agriculture • Area: 68.5 acres • Crops: • Corn • Hay • Pumpkins
Current Management Practices • Herbicides and Pesticides • Liming • Crop Rotation • Soil Erosion Control
Management Recommendations • Maintain and improve drainage system • Review pesticide application plan • Develop an edge management plan • Maintain and enhance field species diversity
Forest Communities 2 1 • Hardwood-Thick Shrub • Hemlock-Hardwood • Mixed-Wood • Red Maple Mesic • Red Maple Swamp • Upland Hardwood 3 4 5 6
Objective: Maintain Forest Health • Considerations: • Potential pathogens • Invasive species • Recommendations: • Monitor for hemlock woolly adelgid and beech bark disease • Eradicate invasive species where feasible
Objective: Watershed Health • Considerations: • Vegetation traps sediments and prevents sediment loading of streams • Recommendations: • Maintain riparian buffers
Objective: Wildlife Habitat • Considerations: • Food Sources • Shelter • Recommendations: • Maintain variety of food sources and habitats
Objective: Aesthetics • Considerations: • Beautiful stands enhance the visitor experience • Recommendations: • Create and maintain aesthetically pleasing stands
Objectives • Preserve wildlife habitat • Maintain high water quality • Maintain ecosystem health • Promote aesthetics • Preserve species diversity
Recommendations • Maintain buffers • Restrict recreational activity • Monitor pond and wetlands for invasive species • Encourage community groups to pursue wetland projects
Potential Wildlife in Non Forested Areas of Swendsen Farm (source: NEWILD) Potential Wildlife in Forested Areas of Swendsen Farm (source: NEWILD)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Indiana Myotis Myotis sodalis Source: Corbis.com Endangered Species Source: Merlin D. Tuttle Bat Conservation International Bog Turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii Source: Bern W. Tryon/Knoxville Zoo
Management Recommendations • Maintain habitat diversity • Maintain species that provide food and shelter • Develop strategies to enhance habitat connectivity
Objective To open up Swendsen Farm as a passive recreation resource for the general public.
Recommendations • Mark property boundaries • Include a recreation clause in the agricultural lease
Recommendations • Designate recreational options • Hiking • Horseback Riding • Fishing • Bird and scenic observation sites • Skating • Cross country skiing • Picnicking
Recommendations • Build a parking lot • Create a trail • system
Recommendations • Develop signage • - Welcome sign • - Steep slope warning signs • - Pesticide application signs
Recommendations • Appoint a property steward • Publicise opening of the property to the public • Approach community groups regarding use of the property
Objective To investigate the potential for utilizing Swendsen Farm as an educational resource for schools and the community.
Local Schools • Bethlehem Elementary School • Woodbury Middle School • Nonnewaug High School
Recommendations • Forge relationships with the local schools • Develop interpretive materials • Promote educational activities on the property
Melissa Aikens Jessica Barnes Alvaro del Campo Elizabeth Petruska