Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program at Beals Preserve

 

The Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF) was selected to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). The Natural Resources Conservation Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers the program. The aim of the project is to remove invasive plants and to improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species such as the New England Cottontail and the American Woodcock. Approximately 6 acres of the Beals Preserve will be cleared to create a shrubland, restoring that area to more closely resemble the landscape of fifty years ago. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has given official approval for the required forestry work. The clearing portion of the project will be of short duration, while SOLF commits to long-term management activities to ensure the integrity and viability of the improved wildlife habitat.

The project began on January 3, 2011 and is continuing during the week of the 10th. The work is being done by a mechanical mower and the pictures below show the work in progress and the results of the clearing.