Ecological Assessment & Restoration Plan August 2016 Fairway Oaks Subdivision Driveway Easement Evanston, Illinois Swamp white oaks and fringed loosestrife Prepared for: Prepared by: Joe Keefe Winnetka, IL Cassi Saari, Ecologist Contact: Andy Stahr, Principal [email protected] www.ecologyllc.com P.O. Box 601 Leland, IL 60531 815-981-8003 Fairway Oaks Subdivision Driveway Easement Ecological Assessment & Restoration Plan August 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................. 5 ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................................................................. 6 RESTORATION PLAN ......................................................................................................................................................... 10 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY OF SAMPLING TERMINOLOGY ................................................................................................... 15 APPENDIX B: ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PRIMER: GENERAL INSTALLATION & STEWARDSHIP ..................................... 16 APPENDIX C: RECOMMENDED NATIVE PLANT NURSERIES .............................................................................................. 22 APPENDIX D: MAPS ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 APPENDIX E: PLANT SPECIES INVENTORY ......................................................................................................................... 28 APPENDIX F: NATIVE PLANT LISTS .................................................................................................................................... 30 APPENDIX G: PHOTOS....................................................................................................................................................... 33 2 Fairway Oaks Subdivision Driveway Easement Ecological Assessment & Restoration Plan August 2016 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PURPOSE ecology + vision, llc (ecology) was retained by Joe Keefe to assess the ecological condition of and make recommendations for restoration and management of a small tract of woodland Evanston, Cook County, Illinois. The study area is owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) where a driveway easement is required for access to a piece of land-locked development property just north of the study area. The study area consists of approximately 0.88 acres of swamp white oak woodland. The goal of the restoration is to improve ecological integrity, habitat for wildlife, and site aesthetics. This restoration plan assesses the site history, identifies target invasive species and recommended treatment methods, provides plant lists, proposes user enhancement features, and includes several maps to inform future management. The plan recommends additional clearing areas, planting native trees/shrubs, and introducing native herbaceous seed and plants. ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT The tree canopy consists of primarily swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), elm (Ulmus spp.), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and silver maple (Acer saccharinum). Intermediate and understory trees were ash (Fraxinus pensylvanica and F. americana), elm and box elder (Acer negundo) with little indication of oak regeneration, which would be expected in a healthy and functioning woodland ecosystem. Several other native plants were present and are indicative of remnant quality, they include purple Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum), mullein foxglove (Dasistoma macrophylla), early meadow rue (Thalictrum dioicum), purple meadow rue (Thalictrum dasycarpum), straight-styled wood sedge (Carex radiata), yellow jewelweed (Impatiens pallida), nannyberry (Viburnum lentago), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), fowl manna grass (Glyceria striata), and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana). Many other plant species are likely to be present but not encountered due to the timing and intensity of the survey – only one survey period in summer, missing the majority of possible spring ephemeral species and opportunity to identify other groups such as sedges (Carex spp.). A total of 70 vascular plants were identified to species within the Fairway Oaks Subdivision Driveway Easement parcel. Two species (a sedge and a non-native peony) were not identified to species level. Of the 70 species, 38 were native and 32 were non-native. The native mean coefficient of conservatism (C) was 3.3 and the native Floristic Quality Index (FQI) was 20.1 (see Appendix A for definitions of terms). The total mean C was 1.8 and the total FQI was 14.8 – these values account for non-native species. These are somewhat low values for a natural area and are indicative of an area that has undergone human disturbance. However, as mentioned, the survey period was a single visit in the summer and very likely excludes additional species that would only have been visible earlier in the year. The wetness value was facultative upland (+), indicative of the mixture of upland and wetland plant species present. These values are based strictly on an inventory of the native plant species found and not the coverage of those species (discussed in the previous section, Dominant Vegetation). RESTORATION PLAN There are several basic components of ecosystem restoration: site preparation, installation, stewardship (maintenance), and monitoring. Aggressive treatment of invasive woody vines and shrubs will be vital to the success of this restoration project. Planting areas and materials lists, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous seed and plants, are included in this document. Following planting, a lack of or inadequate natural areas stewardship will cause a restoration project to fail. Because of its importance, it is highly recommended that stewardship be conducted by a professional ecological restoration firm, particularly during the 3-5 year establishment period after restoration efforts. Alternatively, internal staff may be trained/qualified in plant identification and equipped to conduct appropriate stewardship. The stewardship program must be aggressive, dynamic, and site-specific. Stewardship actions typically consist of mowing, selective herbicide applications, seed collection & supplemental seeding/planting, prescribed fire, and monitoring. 3 Fairway Oaks Subdivision Driveway Easement Ecological Assessment & Restoration Plan August 2016 NATURAL AREAS MANAGEMENT PRIORITIZATION Immediate 1. Protect trees and shrubs from driveway construction (Prior to Commencing Construction) 2. Begin treatment/removal of wintercreeper, lily of the valley, and other herbaceous invasive species (Throughout Growing Season) 3. Remove invasive shrubs and trees (Winter) 4. Remove excessive downed woody debris, some should remain for habitat purposes (Any Time) 5. Steward (maintain) by controlling weedy and invasive species through chemical and/or mechanical means (Throughout Growing Season) 6. Inspect site regularly (Throughout Growing Season and Restoration Activities) Mid-Term 1. Monitor area for re-emergence of native flora, revise plan for replanting based on post-clearing site conditions (Spring and Summer Following Clearing) 2. Prepare herbaceous planting areas for restoration by applying herbicide to existing non-native and weedy native plant material (second application may be required), cutting treated biomass, scarifying soil, and seeding/plugging (Spring or Fall) 3. Plant, protect, and water native shrubs and trees (Spring or Fall) 4. Steward (maintain) by controlling weedy and invasive species through chemical and/or mechanical means (Throughout Growing Season) 5. Inspect site regularly (Throughout Growing Season and Restoration Activities) Long-Term 1. Steward (maintain) by controlling weedy and invasive species through chemical and/or mechanical means (Throughout Growing Season) 2. Monitor site to assess restoration and stewardship success; adjust natural areas management planning accordingly (Throughout Growing Season) 3. Implement prescribed fire (Late Fall or Early Spring) 4. Inspect site regularly (Throughout Growing Season and Restoration Activities) 4 Fairway Oaks Subdivision Driveway Easement Ecological Assessment & Restoration Plan August 2016 INTRODUCTION ecology + vision, llc (ecology) was retained by Joe Keefe to assess the ecological condition of and make recommendations for restoration and management of a small tract of woodland Evanston, Cook County, Illinois. The study area is owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) where a driveway easement is required for access to a piece of land-locked development property just north of the study area. The study area consists of approximately 0.88 acres of swamp white oak woodland. The goal of the restoration is to improve ecological integrity, habitat for wildlife, and site aesthetics. This restoration plan assesses the site history, identifies target invasive species and recommended