Nps presentation on restoration plans for north and south garden

North and South Garden North and South Garden Native Plant Native Plant RestorationRestoration

Patti Rafferty, Chief Resource StewardshipPatti Rafferty, Chief Resource [email protected][email protected]

National Park ServiceNational Park ServiceU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Department of the InteriorGateway National Recreation AreaGateway National Recreation Area

General Project OverviewGeneral Project OverviewRemove invasive plants from 14 acres.

Plant native vegetation to restore biodiversity and habitat functions.

Develop and implement long term monitoring

Utilize adaptive management to maintain native plant communities.

Increase capacity to manage invasive plants in other NPS and NYC sites

North Garden

South Garden

Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy

Problems with Invasive Problems with Invasive PlantsPlantsWhat Are Invasive Plants?-Non-native -Reproduce rapidly-Displace native species-Reduce habitat and food for native insects, birds and other wildlife-Reduce biodiversity and establish undesirable monocultures

Non-native Invasive Upland Plants-Oriental Bittersweet-Japanese Honeysuckle-Porcelainberry-Bush Honeysuckle-Multiflora Rose

Project BenefitsProject BenefitsRestore biodiversity-Remove invasive species-Establish diverse native plant communities-Support native wildlife – particularly insects and birds

Improve visitor experience-Eliminating undesirable monocultures-Enhance wildlife viewing-Education and outreach

Project TimelineProject Timeline

Phase I – South GardenPhase I – South Garden

•Winter 2015 Invasive Plant Removal – Basal Bark and Winter 2015 Invasive Plant Removal – Basal Bark and Cut StumpCut Stump•May 2016 – Mechanical and manual removal (~ 2 acres)May 2016 – Mechanical and manual removal (~ 2 acres)•May 2016 – Volunteer Planting (~ 2 acres)May 2016 – Volunteer Planting (~ 2 acres)•July-August, 2016 – Invasive Plant TreatmentJuly-August, 2016 – Invasive Plant Treatment•September 2016 – Volunteer Planting (~ 4 acres)September 2016 – Volunteer Planting (~ 4 acres)•Fall 2016- Fall 2017 – Follow-up TreatmentsFall 2016- Fall 2017 – Follow-up Treatments•Long-term managementLong-term management

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Project TimelineProject Timeline

Phase II – North GardenPhase II – North Garden

•September – October 2016 - Invasive Plant September – October 2016 - Invasive Plant RemovalRemoval•May 2017 – Volunteer Planting (~ 3 acres)May 2017 – Volunteer Planting (~ 3 acres)•July-August, 2017 – Invasive Plant TreatmentJuly-August, 2017 – Invasive Plant Treatment•September 2017 – Volunteer Planting (~ 4 acres)September 2017 – Volunteer Planting (~ 4 acres)•Fall 2017- Fall 2018 – Follow-up TreatmentsFall 2017- Fall 2018 – Follow-up Treatments•Long-term managementLong-term management

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After Invasive Plant RemovalAfter Invasive Plant Removal

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LandscapLandscape e MappingMapping

• Identify management concerns

• Identify and evaluate invasive treatment options

• Identify existing vegetation to inform restoration planting

• Provide baseline condition to evaluate effectiveness of project over time

RestoratiRestoration on Planning:Planning:South South Garden Garden MappingMapping

RestoratiRestoration on Planning:Planning:

SoilsSoils

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RestoratiRestoration on Planning:Planning:

ElevationElevation

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Planting Planting ZonesZones

May 13-15, May 13-15, 2016 2016 Volunteer Volunteer PlantingPlanting

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RestoratiRestorationonTimelineTimeline

How can you get involved?How can you get involved?Volunteer!!!Contact:Keith WhiteVolunteer Coordinator for Gateway [email protected]

Daphne YunPublic [email protected]

Patti RaffertyChief, Resource [email protected]