Reed Canyon Enhancement Strategy
Maintenance / Monitoring / Stewardship
The site will need continuous monitoring and maintenance as the enhancement activities are underway. Several areas at the site are conducive to stewardship opportunities, but a majority of the effort will ultimately be the responsibility of the Physical Plant department. Due to the size of the site and level of enhancement needed, dedicating at least one staff member to keeping the enhancement activities on task will be necessary. Without dedicated site staff, the implementation of this management plan and the long-term maintenance and monitoring will not be timely or adequate. Promotion and encouragement of stewardship is an ongoing and timely activity that requires consistency in staffing.
Maintenance and Monitoring Guidelines
- Secure an endowment fund for Reed Canyon that includes long-term maintenance and monitoring needs.
- Allow native plant revegetation per the management zone species list, only when invasives are under control.
- Establish a set of digital photo points within each management zone; take photos before, and each year after for three years to monitor progress of enhancement activities. Store site locations on a digital / GIS map and record data information in excel spreadsheet.
- Prepare a yearly update of progress, with before and after photos and a schedule of upcoming events, in order to keep people informed and engaged, and for continued funding support.
- Revisit enhanced areas on a regular basis to track progress and keep ahead of any re-infestation by non-native species. Keep information in a database with dates and conditions.
- Establish success criteria such as: 80% revegetation survival of natives; 90% presence of native plants and less than 10% invasive species presence in a given enhanced area.
Stewardship Guidelines
- Inform all participants of the proper removal techniques prior to commencing work.
- Limit activities to those that are safe for appropriate individuals to participate. The appropriate labor force for each area is dependent on topography, time of year, and diligence of the people to protect native plantings. Limit hand removal of invasive species by untrained individuals to flat / moderately sloped areas. Allow trained students and hired crews/professionals to conduct removal on more difficult terrain.
- Develop a web site or link for the Reed Canyon to publicize events and activities, keeping neighbors and students informed and active.
- Maintain a list of volunteers that participate in site activities in an Access database. Send direct mailers to those volunteers when an event is scheduled.
- Allow committed volunteer groups to adopt certain enhancement areas. Request that they sign a commitment form for two years to help reduce turnover.
- Participate annually in SOLV programs to gather off site assistance with the effort
- Encourage the development of a "Friends" group for the Canyon that includes current students and Alumni. Hold an annual "ivy pull".
- Enlist professors and their students to assist with monitoring efforts as part of class curriculum. Expand their efforts to maintenance as appropriate.