In 2010, CRI awarded the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space $17,500.00 through its RPWHP Grant program. This grant will cover 50% of the costs of the reforestation of 8.3acres of abandoned agricultural fields to restore contiguous forest cover at Baldpate Mountain Park.
Baldpate Mountain and its vicinity have been identified as a priority forest conservation area in the RPWHP Forest Conservation Plan. There are several fields near the summit of the mountain that have been utilized for agricultural or programmatic reasons (e.g., historic Kuser homestead, viewshed of Delaware River). Two of these fields totaling 8.3 acres have been identified for forest restoration to improve connectivity of large forest areas that surround these fields .
This project will convert these fields to forest habitat by planting 1,660 native trees and shrubs (planting density of 200 per acre) and fencing field perimeters to avoid deer browsing on plantings and naturally recruited native trees and shrubs. Periodic control of invasive species and maintenance of exclosure fencing will occur as needed in 2011 and beyond.
Baldpate Mountain is known to harbor nesting Kentucky and Hooded Warblers. The increase in continuity of forest cover will ultimately provide additional habitat and reduce forest edges that are avoided by forest interior birds.
Ecosystem Services Provided:
Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- reforestation
Biological Diversity: Habitat- restoration of forest bird habitat; Ecosystem restoration- invasive plant removal, forest restoration
Total Project Cost: $35,000
Status: May–June 2010: Identify fencing contractor and have fences installed; August 2010: Mow project area to prepare for planting; September–October 2010: Install native trees and shrubs; November 2010: Prepare brief report with maps to document project success. Ongoing maintenance: Exclosure maintenance and invasive species control will be conducted as necessary to allow establishment and growth of native plantings.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.
