Helping save the remaining woods

This map shows an outline of Spring Pond Woods.  This area has many wetlands, and in the southern portion, there are several vernal pools reported (pink and orange dots) by many ordinary citizens.  Toads, Salamanders and other species rely on vernal pools to survive.  Helping save the remaining woods and wildlife habitat, would require a lot more work from us, ordinary citizens.  Finding and reporting more vernal pools, may be a help in the future when fighting battles to preserve this land.

The Vernal Pool Assoc., ( www.vernalpool.org/macert_1.htm ) offers simple examples of what to look for in vernal pools, and how to report them.  See photos below.

Map overlay of extracted Mass GIS data, using the software Vectorworks Designer: Architect, Landmark & Renderworks, drawn by yours truly.  (click on map to enlarge)

This is an example of a vernal pool.  There is a depression in the earth, that holds water in the fall to spring months, and can dry out in the summer.

Image courtesy of Vernal Pool Assoc.

These are examples of what might be found in a vernal pool...

Image courtesy of Vernal Pool Assoc.

Link to report a vernal pool:  http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/vernal_pools/pdf/vpcert.pdf

Image courtesy of Vernal Pool Assoc.

peace on

Walking through a Pine Barren

This area is different than other areas around Spring Pond.  Once understanding where you are (a place we passed many times before without realizing), there is a whole new appreciation of the area.

The Pine Barrens system - This layer is part of the MassGIS Priority Natural Vegetation Communities dataset, which depicts the distribution of natural community systems identified by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) as most critical to the conservation of the Commonwealth's biological diversity. 

According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Pitch Pine/Scrub Oak Communities, otherwise known as Pine Barrens, are severely threatened in Massachusetts. Typically there are several species of butterflies and moths that depend on scrub oak/pitch pine habitats. These species require large tract areas in order to provide ample food sources for their various life cycles.  Fragmentation and loss of habitat puts these species in jeopardy.

This area shows no record of species, but if endangered species are known to survive in Pine Barrens, how do we know for certain there is none here?


“Excessive drainage” of this pine barren naturally flows down hill into the many streams that flow into Spring Pond, and the water is typically filtered.

According to Mass GIS data, there are two Pine Barren communities located near Spring Pond.  One is mostly on Camp Lion's property, and is threatened by the development of a proposed "camp pad":  new pool, field, building, etc.  

The following is a list of  plants Leslie Courtemanche, Rich Randall and I came across on our walk through the Pine Barrens.  These plants create the natural community system we have today...

• Scrub Oak (bear oak)
• Pitch Pine
• Black Cherry
• Gray Birch
• Quaking (or Trembling) Aspen
• Canada Mayflower
• Highbush Blueberry
• Lowbush Blueberry
• Northern Bayberry
• Shagbark Hickory
• Pignut Hickory
• Sedges
• Ring Lichen
• White Pine
• Scotch Pine

The map above was created in the software program Vectorworks Designer/ Architect, using Mass GIS data extracted from OLIVER (as shown below). 

Call for help

Searching for arborists who can help identify rare trees and flora from different parts of the world.  There are several rare species of exotic plantings that were first planted here in North America by Richard Sullivan Fay in the 1800's.  I wish to preserve the plantings for historic and environmental conservation.  Contact me or you may send your findings to the email below.


Native American groups are needed to study a few unique artifacts found.  Please contact below.


Bird watchers... please hike the trails through these woods.  There are a variety of birds (some rare) here.  We need help to document the wild in hope to preserve this land forever.  Please send your findings to Mass Audubon or contact below.


email  peace@springpondwoods.com
tel.  671.418.3009


peace,
Katerina

Changes Coming for Environmental Species

       

   MassWildlife has proposed changes to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) regulations.  The public will have the opportunity to provide input at a hearing later this month. Mass Audubon supports many of the changes, including improved transparency through a new public comment system for changes to the Priority Habitat maps delineating rare and endangered species habitats, and a broader conservation planning approach to protection of Species of Special Concern.  Expanded provisions for grandfathering and exemptions are also proposed.  Mass Audubon has concerns about a few of those provisions, and will provide comments and suggestions for further refinements.  A plain language description of the changes is also available.

Public hearing:

Monday, July 26, 2010

4:00 p.m.

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

Karl Weiss Education and Conference Center

100 North Drive, Room 102

Westboro, MA

Bird Observations

Many have mentioned their observations of the different wildlife.  Almost every one has mentioned that these wooded areas are a "chorus of birds".


If you would like to help with an application to make this a sanctuary for birds, feel free to write a statement of the many sounds and observations you have seen.  A statement that this place is home to many birds will help raise awareness.   Email your observations to peace@springpondwoods.com or simply state here.


The threat of further development, noise and new lighting, will endanger this habitat.


peace!

Vultures

Turkey Vulture among other rare bird species have been seen flying around these areas. 

The Massachusetts Audubon Society has these woods on the grid to map out locations of rare birds.   A conservationist working with the program is looking for nesting locations.

If interested in helping out, sign up with Mass Audubon, or send your observations to peace@springpondwoods.com

peace

photos from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Vulture

Jasmine

Stepping off a dirt roadway, around the once colonial Crowninshield/ Fay Estate, a sweet scent lead the way to a sheltered water's edge.  Climbing high before me, a sunlit forest gem, I stood in awe and wonder... if this truly is Jasmine!  A place so sweet, so hard to believe... as though its Heaven sent.  The lore of old times still remain all around Spring Pond's ancient land.  This place was once and should remain a Sanctuary of blessed things.

The historic Crowninshied and Fay Estate was once partially in Lynn, Peabody and Salem.  The Estate included the Fay Estate in Lynn, Camp Lion, other areas surrounding Spring Pond. 

Mr. Fay imported several rare plants from all parts of the world, and filled the Estate with exotic trees and flora, turning it into an arboretum to admire.    It is believed Mr. Fay introduced the first Tulips in the US here.  Maybe the first Jasmine too!?

Please take photos of your favorite places around Spring Pond and say "It Matters" here.

peace

Submit Comments to MEPA

   

Here is a link to the ENF form submitted to MEPA, The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, by the... Development Group.  

http://www.env.state.ma.us/mepa/mepadocs/2010/010610em/nps/enf/14532.pdf

Send Your objections or commentary regarding this submittal to MEPA. 
Please write to Ian A. Bowles, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs,  the following... 

     'I understand the commentary period has expired for the Proposed Lowe's, Walmart and Meineke Expansions, and Future Camp Lion Improvements, EEA No. 14532.   I was not aware sooner, and I wish to request an acceptance to my commentary to be amended to the review.  I have significant (environmental, traffic, historical, etc.) concerns that need to be also addressed.   (followed by comments) ' 

Include your concerns regarding traffic congestion/ pollution/ global warming concern, the rare flora and wildlife you have seen, the existence of wetlands, the impact on the nearby ponds, and neighborhoods, historical value of the old estate, public parcel, etc...  (ASAP!... please)

The mailing address for comments is:

Secretary Ian A. Bowles
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Attn: MEPA Office
Dierdee Buckley, EEA No. 14532
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston MA 02114

cc. A digital copy of the letter to the Department Email, and note the hard copy to Your letter is in the mail.

env.internet@state.ma.us

List of Rare Species in Mass

For a list of rare species in Massachusetts, which may be found in these woods, please visit

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/mesa_list/mesa_list.htm

Then please find the report forms here, and  feel free to share your photos and data to peace@springpondwoods.com

Thank you!  

(And thanks to a friend for sharing the link)

peace

Report Rare Species Forms

Thank you to those who submitted photos of rare species.  This is great.

This next step might be helpful to take.  If you find the time, please take a look at this information below found from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

.....

To report rare species, please fill out a Rare Animal or Rare Plant Observation Form and send to the address at the bottom of this post or there is an number to call them with questions and concerns.   Please include with your form(s) a copy of a USGS topographic map found below or here http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/massgistopos  
(Click on map to enlarge, then right-click to download.

with the location of the observation marked as precisely as possible. Topographic maps can also be printed from the following website:  TopoZone (please select 1:24k/25k series)


Rare Animal and Rare Plant Observation Forms can be downloaded and printed in multiple formats:

1. PDF Files:
   To print PDF documents, you'll need a free pdf reader, such as Adobe's Acrobat Reader.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Rare Animal Observation Form  (47 kb)
   • Rare Plant Observation Form  (74 kb)
2. Electronic Forms:
   to fill out an electronic version of the Rare Animal and Rare Plant Observation Forms on your computer, click on the link below and start typing. Once the form is complete, print out and sign a copy and mail it to Natural Heritage as you would a regular form. Please do not send completed forms via e-mail.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Electronic Rare Animal Observation Form  (138 kb)
   • Electronic Rare Plant Observation Form  (325 kb)

Note: when filling out the above forms, use the Tab key to move between fields. Do not use the Enter key, as it will change the formatting of the form.


Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA 01581
Tel: (508) 389-6300; Fax: (508) 389-7890

Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program Tel: (508) 389-6360; Fax: (508) 389-7891


(thank you to a friend for the link)