HomeMy WebLinkAboutA007 - Conservation Management Plan dated November 7, 2022 Conservation Management Plan
Guidance for Establishment& Management of Prairie and Woodland Areas
Quarry Estates Subdivision - 6th Addition
Ames, Iowa
November 7, 2022
Contents:
1. Long-term Maintenance
E
2. Prairie and Woodland Understory Establishment
G Site Preparation
Prairie Establishment—outlying areas
E Prairie Establishment—internal areas
4 Wetland and Drainage Area Vegetation
IE 3. Site-wide Maintenance During Construction
'i 4. Public Outreach and Education
5. Lawn Care
6. Review of Allowed Tree List
i
This plan,the guidance offered,and requirements contained herein,apply to all lots in the Quarry Estates
Subdivision,including single-family residential,single-family attached, and multi-family/senior living.
1. Long-Term Maintenance.
I!. This section is listed first to underscore the essential need for long-term management planning for
maintenance of the prairie,wetland and woodland areas. Activities directed at keeping all natural areas in
tgood condition should be considered on the same level of importance as planning for lawn care and snow
removal.
Furthermore, routine maintenance of established natural areas, performed by knowledgeable and
experienced staff,will not only keep the needed labor and inputs to a minimum, it will also be less costly
per acre than traditional lawn management and result in a considerably more ecologically desirable setting.
• Once established, all natural areas should receive, at a minimum, an annual assessment by an ecologist
experienced in management of such areas. This includes inspection of all relevant landscapes for
environmental (invasive species entry, weeds or tree seedlings, drought effects etc.) and mechanical
damage (mowing damage, herbicide overspray, vandalism) issues. Areas in need of repair or restoration
should be addressed promptly.
• An annual sweep to remove shrub and tree seedlings should be expected. This can be in the form of
prescribed fire p or mechanical removal by
hand.
o A healthy prairie area will have few new weeds but surrounding unmanaged areas may serve as a
seed source.
o Introduction of trees near prairie areas for landscaping purposes should be seen as increasing
prairie management needs due to increased need to remove encroaching tree seedlings.
• All prairie and woodland understory areas should be mowed annually if a prescribed fire has not been
administered.
o Generally mowing is done late spring to allow winter cover to remain in place for animal benefit
and leave a more interesting landscape during the dormant season.
o Prescribed fire is usually done on a three-year rotation, usually in early spring but fall burns are
also acceptable. This activity in particular should only be performed by experienced crews with
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training and all relevant insurance policies and
• After periods of unusually dry or wet weather some reduction of desirable prairie species may occur. In
such cases the annual inspection should especially include recommendations that address any significant
1
contamination from upstream sources. Furthermore, current research shows that
established lawns do not need phosphorus fertilizers-application to mature sod just leads
to faster grass growth and more mowing cycles. The detrimental effects of phosphorus
runoff on downstream water bodies are severe enough that its use is prohibited on all
grounds in Quarry Estates, both conservation areas and homeowner lots. Only non-
phosphorus fertilizers are allowed;these will have a zero in the NPK listing(example: an
NPK of 22-0-15 would contain 22% nitrogen (N), 0%phosphorus (P) and 15%potassium
(K).
■ High nitrogen fertilizers also have negative downstream effects similar to phosphorus
runoff. Use of slow-release nitrogen sources reduces potential runoff damage while
providing the lawn with enough nitrogen to remain green and healthy,
f o Insecticides are potentchemicals with a higher chance of impacting humans and wildlifethan other
common lawn care chemicals (fertilizers and herbicides). Considerable caution should be used
when deciding to use an insecticide. It is estimated that over 95%of common lawn insects are not
pests, and do not need to be killed. Pest insects are often in higher concentrations in lawns that
have lush growth due to high inputs of fertilizers, so reducing fertilizers also reduces insect
concerns without use of Insecticides.
• Mowing: Lawn mower engines are far less efficient than car engines and can damage lawns if not used
' optimally. Lawns that are healthy require less irrigation, herbicides,and pesticides.
o Mowing grass so that at least 3.5" of blade remains helps keep the grass healthy(keep in mind a
grass plant"wants"to grow 12-18"tall,so keeping it short really stresses the plant)
■ This also slows the rate of soil drying.
o Cutting off 1/3 of the grass blade at most leads to healthier lawns
o Using a mulching mower allows the grass clippings to return to the soil as a natural fertilizer and
does not lead to thatch build-up. Additionally,lawn clippings are not taken off site.
j o Mowing when rain is predicted in the next 24 hours leads to healthier grass
o Keeping mower blades sharp helps reduce mowing stress to the lawn
• Irrigation: Reduced lawn irrigation leads to reduced runoff potential, reduced use of water purified for
human use,and lower maintenance costs.
o Consider using low water-use "eco-grass" (grass seed mixes that are slower, low-growing plants
that don't need to be mowed routinely) in backyard areas that are not used frequently or are
otherwise hard to maintain tradition lawns. These do not require irrigation.
o Irrigate only in the early AM. More water is used if irrigation is done during late AM and afternoon
hours. Late day irrigation can lead to disease problems in a lawn that is damp all night.
o Irrigating deeply but less frequently is better for the lawn and uses less water. Having an irrigation
system that Is simple to turn off after rain events leads to healthier lawns, less run-off, and less
water use.
o Consider the use of rain sensors on irrigation systems. set to prohibit irrigation when raining to
limit run-off and excessive water use.
• Commercial lawn care: if you hire a company to mow and "treat"your lawn you should inquire what their
treatments are, why they are doing them,when they do them, and what chemicals are applied. You can
request that they limit the use of chemicals or use alternatives that are less damaging to the natural areas
surrounding Quarry Estates.
6.Trees to be planted:
• Use only native species, this feeds into the native landscapes story for this subdivision and aids habitat
establishment.
• Planting trees in prairie conservation area is not allowed.
o .....- proliferate t he�prairie
_
o
As they mature the saplings produce shade that reduces prairie vigor, eventually causing the
understory(originally full-sun) prairie species to die out
5
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