Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program at Beals Preserve
Published on January 1, 2011 by Eileen Samberg
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 were 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 gave official approval for the required forestry work. SOLF has committed to long-term management activities to ensure the integrity and viability of the improved wildlife habitat.
The project began on January 3, 2011. The work was done by a mechanical mower and the picture shows the work in progress and the results of the clearing.