Management Plan

Seacow Head Cliffs Natural Area

Fernwood, PEIPID #383240

(2.4 hectares – 6.0 acres)Prepared for the Island Nature Trust

by the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

This 2.4 hectare (6 acre) property is located in Fernwood and known as the Seacow Head Cliffs Natural Area. The land is quite flat, reflecting its past history of agriculture. The northern and western boundaries of the abandoned farmland are the Northumberland Strait, and are made up of high sandstone cliffs. This area is suitable for colonial nesting birds such as Double-crested and Great Cormorants, hence the designation as a Natural Area by the province of Prince Edward Island. Over the past four decades, cliff-nesting birds have been observed using these cliffs. The eastern boundary is the Seaweed Road. The southern boundary borders the property owned by Elinor Wheler.

In the past, plantings of native and non-native species of trees and shrubs have been carried out on the property. These include species such as White Spruce, White Pine, Scots Pine, European Larch and Linden (spp). In addition, there is a mixture of both native and non-native plants that would be expected to colonize this type of habitat – a regenerating grassland with well-drained soil that is mostly in full sun, windy and susceptible to salt spray. These “colonists” include species such as Bayberry, Meadowsweet, Staghorn Sumac, Bayberry, Red-osier Dogwood and many species of Goldenrod.

A PROVINCIAL NATURAL AREA

In 2012, the donation of the property (from the estate of Island artist Elaine Harrison, who named it “Windswept”) was directed by Executors Betty and Everett Howatt to the Island Nature Trust, who are now responsible for the management of the property. Under the Natural Areas Protection Act, it has been designated as a Natural Area. The provincial Management Guidelines specify that: “Site management will ensure the long term protection of the area and maintenance of the natural features of the site including native biodiversity. “

MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

Following provincial regulations, this Natural Area will be managed in accordance with the following management principles:

1. All areas will be protected and managed to perpetuate or improve the natural features for which they are recognized.

2. Development of the Natural Area will be restricted to those activities which accommodate uses yet recognize the need for protection. This will include educational promotion while ensuring the health and safety of those visiting the site.

3. Use of the Natural Area will be in keeping with the protection of the natural features for which the site was recognized.

4. A minimum non-development buffer of 60 metres will be incorporated as part of a Natural Area where appropriate and when opportune and managed accordingly.

5. Existing development within the Natural Area that does not conform to the other management principles will be tolerated. All new development must conform to these principles.

6. Activities such as hunting, trapping, fishing and berry-picking are permitted, subject to the conditions and restrictions set out herein and all other applicable legislation.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In the agreement between the provincial government and the Island Nature Trust, the goals are: “To manage the Natural Area for the protection of the coastal area from development, and to manage the woodland to increase diversity and add Acadian Forest components.”

The long-term objective is: “To retain the undeveloped coastal area while allowing educational and recreational activities. Coastal erosion processes will be allowed to continue.”

MANAGING ACTIVITIES

The following are general managing activities from the agreement between the provincial government and the Island Nature Trust:

Within or upon this Natural Area no person shall engage in or permit any of the following, (i.e. any activity which might interfere with or detract from the aesthetic, scenic and natural character and condition of the Property and the topography of the land) except where stipulated:

1. A. Cutting, destroying or removing of trees, shrubs or other

vegetation with the following exceptions:(a) determination and delineation of property boundary lines for the Natural Area;(b) maintenance of trails existing at the time the Property was acquired by Island Nature Trust.;(c) inventory work which allows for specimen and/or data collection for educational and scientific purposes including but not limited to:

(i) Collection of plants with S1, S2 or S3 in their sub-national rarity ranks (s-rank) listing with the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, not to exceed a maximum of one individual collected for every 20 individuals found; or(ii) Manually cutting, mulching, or removing as biologically appropriate any plants with SE or SNA in their s-rank listing with the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre; or(iii) Mechanically removing invasive non-native plant species present on the Property provided it does not interfere with the stated primary objective of site management.

(d) silviculture treatments to improve the health and diversity of native species in the Natural Area and to increase longevity of the woodland component subject to a forest management plan approved by the PEI Natural Areas Protection Act Technical Advisory Committee; and(e) wildlife enhancement practices designed to promote biodiversity and enhance wildlife habitat, where appropriate.

B.Planting or otherwise introducing non-native plant or animal species.

RESTORATION FORESTRY

The philosophy contained in this management plan can best be described as restoration forestry, concentrating on the creation of diverse, high-value Acadian forests that will meet the long-term needs of both humans and wildlife. Healthy forests are complex ecosystems, full of great beauty. They are incredibly valuable for many reasons, including ones that are difficult to measure. These include cleaning air and water, storing carbon both in the woody above-ground material and in the soil, providing homes for a wide variety of wildlife species, moderating stream temperatures and windspeeds, and providing places for recreation and relaxation.

As a culture we don’t know how to accurately value these benefits. We can’t always fix an exact price on these things but they are important. These

benefits are often overlooked because they take too much time to measure, or we can’t model them on a computer, but we have to start putting values to them instead of pretending those benefits don’t exist.

Dr. Ken Lertzman, who teaches Forest Ecology at Simon Fraser University, has a different view of what forest management should be. He says “New Forestry is an attempt to define forest management with timber production as a by-product of its primary function: sustaining biological diversity and maintaining long-term ecosystem health.” Part of our work is to learn how to value the ecosystem and not just the wood products.

Through restoration forestry, we can work to improve the woodlands - both in quantity and quality - and reverse some of the past practices that have led to degraded ecosystems. The mainstays of the plantings will be native species that will tolerate the existing conditions. We will also be looking at some of the microsites on the property to plant some of our rarer or more tender species.

Healthy wildlife populations are an integral part of sound forest management and quality habitat should be provided for a wide variety of species. Many birds, both migratory and year-round residents, will make use of the property. Some of the migratory warblers, are adversely affected by forest fragmentation, a condition common both in individual woodlands and certainly when viewing larger blocks. The excess of forest edge allows predators such as cats, raccoons and blue jays easy access to the eggs and nesting young. So the nesting success is much higher in larger blocks of continuous woodlands. Unfortunately, even once it is allowed to get older and more diverse, this will always be small property in a fragmented ecosystem. This should not in any way discourage restoration or enhancement of the property. In the fragmented Prince Edward Island landscape, every parcel of mixed woodland is valuable for diversity and wildlife habitat. It is simply a note of the existing conditions.

Harvesting Rules for Natural Selection Forestry” have been developed by Orville Camp, author of The Forest Farmer's Handbook and president of the Forest Farm Association. Mr. Camp is a leading proponent of sustainable logging practices and natural selection forest management in Oregon and across the continent. One of his key messages to land managers, whether in natural areas or on private woodlots, is:"Do I feel certain about my decision?" The rule is: "When in doubt, don't!" Get expert advice or evaluate the situation until you are satisfied with what you propose to do. You may never be able to replace what you are removing nor undo the damage caused by what you have removed. If you still can't decide, it's usually best not to do anything.

Another of Camp’s keys for management is: Maintain the natural selection system of "checks and balances" for keeping the forest ecosystem healthy

and productive. There must be adequate populations of all normally associated species for maintaining the best system of checks and balances.

These two simple rules makes a great deal of sense, and should guide everything from removal of any existing large trees to the selection and planting of new native species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns on this property.

RESTORATION TECHNIQUES

To accomplish these goals, plantings should include a wide mix of appropriate native tree and shrub species and some of our rarer wildflowers and ferns. As well, a variety of silviculture techniques should be used to create or enhance appropriate planting areas. Throughout the process of restoration, encourage practices that lead to a forest full of long-lived trees and the accompanying plant communities that provide a wide array of values. A critical part of this forest community will include dead wood, both standing and on the ground. Sound forest management demands that wildlife trees are present throughout the forest cycle. You should actually plan for some of the trees to get old, die and fall down to the ground. Towards the end of their lives, these older trees can be excellent sources of seed for the surrounding forest and of great benefit to wildlife. Once they die and fall to the ground, they become nursery logs for the next generation of seedlings and provide nutrients and organic matter. This dead wood is a vital component of all healthy forests.

As we have successfully demonstrated at the Macphail Woods property in Orwell, small patch cuts can be created to provide excellent places for planting a variety of native plants. Remove small blocks of trees and use the remaining trees to provide shade and increase humidity levels. This will allow successful planting of shade-tolerant species such as Sugar Maple, Eastern Hemlock, Red Spruce and White Pine and to promote the growth of high-quality trees for the future.

There will be five main techniques that will be used on the property to carry out the forest restoration. These include:

1. Planting: native plants suitable to the site will be used to add value and diversity. These will include high-value trees, wildlife shrubs and rarer species, helping to maintain and increase seed sources for species such as Ironwood, Witch Hazel, Hobblebush and even ground flora. Unlike plantations, these plantings will make best use of existing regeneration and rely on strategic placement and species choice rather than large numbers.

2. Individual tree selection or very small patch cuts: small cuts, often removing only one or a few trees, will be made in order to enlarge an existing

opening; these will be followed by planting a small number of trees and shrubs. These patches should be carefully spaced and after the regeneration or planted seedlings have become established, subsequent patches will be removed.

3. Removal of invasive non-native species: there are many non-native plant species that will eventually be removed from the site. This should be slowly and carefully done, as even problem trees such even the Linden (spp) are providing some shade, adding organic matter through their leaf fall and providing nesting habitat. Eventually most, if not all, non-native species will be removed but it should not be the prime focus of the restoration in the initial stages.

4. Pruning: much of the existing regeneration and some of the larger trees as well will benefit greatly from some quality pruning to improve growth and form.

5. Adding coarse woody debris: this property would greatly benefit from the strategic placement of rotting wood on the ground, with a caution that you would want to know the source of this material to avoid wood borers and other problematic insects and diseases. This would provide much-needed nutrients and organic matter, create habitat for salamanders and other forms of wildlife, improve the water-holding capacity of the site and in the future act as nursery logs for seeds such as Yellow Birch and Eastern Hemlock.

TREATMENTS AT SEACOW CLIFFS NATURAL AREA

While this natural area is really in its infancy right now, the designation is a tribute to the vision of both the Island Nature Trust and the provincial government. The cliffs are an important component of the site, but the natural area that develops on the rest of the property will make the area much more ecologically important.

Since it is a small area, it makes sense to just look at an overall, prioritized work plan rather than trying to break it down into a lot of tiny micro-stands. For this plan, the area is considered to be one of the coniferous woodland around most of the exterior of the property, or it is open field that is regenerating. Given the broadness of those designations, some of the wooded areas have openings and some of the regenerating field has substantial trees growing up.

The major issues that will be addressed through this workplan include:1. The problem with the boundaries and ensuring that everyone knows

where the Natural Area starts and finishes.2. The large amount of non-native and/or invasive species.3. The lack of native plant diversity and neighbouring sources of seed.4. The exposure to the punishing winter winds and salt spray.

5. The need to diversify the conifer woodlands. 6. The heavy sod that is covering most of the open field.7. The lack of nutrients and organic matter in the soil.8. The lack of coarse woody debris on the property.9. The need for proper pruning.

The following workplan should be carried out in a regular series of interventions. As long as appropriate seed sources are in place, these areas will naturally regenerate, over time, in a mix of species native to the Acadian region. Timely and thoughtful interventions will greatly speed up the natural succession and allow the site to more quickly become an important part of the Island Nature Trust’s collection of natural areas. Once there are enough seed sources growing on the property – for example, of tree species such as Red Oak and Yellow Birch and shrubs such as Beaked Hazelnut and Highbush Cranberry – there should be less and less work that is needed to be carried out on the site.

In addition to the physical restoration work, a walking trail should be established on the site to provide access. Without a trail on such a small site, visitors will be walking all over some of the plantings. Laying out a winding trail and adding plants on either side of it will take a little design work and initially could be mowed once a year. But even this may not be necessary.

The plants on this property should be surveyed in the spring and summer seasons, as many of the early season plants had already died off, and heavy frost had already hit the site. The areas are again broken up into coniferous woodland and open field, though the plants do not necessarily maintain though boundaries. Though undoubtably missing some species that are on the site, the following is the general botanical makeup of the property.

The coniferous woodland: The woodlands along the north, south and east boundaries are windbreaks planted over the past 15-40 years. They are made up of the following species:White SpruceWhite PineScots PineEuropean LarchBalsam FirWhite BirchSilver PoplarTrembling AspenThe woodland along the western boundary appears to be natural regeneration, made up mostly of White Spruce.

The open field: The field is already starting to regenerate in woody plants, and many trees and shrubs have also been planted. Woody plants growing in the field include:White SpruceRed MapleSilver Poplar (from root suckers)Linden (spp) (planted)Butternut or Heartnut (planted)Norway Maple (planted)Green AshServiceberry (spp)Wild Rose (spp)European Mountain Ash (possibly planted)Red Osier DogwoodChoke CherryBayberryStaghorn Sumac (planted)RaspberryBlackberry

Non-woody plants on site include Devil’s Paintbrush, Mouse-eared Hawkweed, Dandelion, Violet (spp), Yarrow, Wild Strawberry, Bedstraw, Narrow-leaf Goldenrod, Canada Goldenrod, Rough Goldenrod, Fireweed, Purple Vetch, Lupin, Deadly Nightshade, Timothy, Red Clover, Dock, Evening Primrose, Daisy, Thistle, Common Speedwell, Starflower, Bunchberry, Sorrel and Brown-eyed Susan.

Wildlife: There were few signs of wildlife noted during the site visit, though it was late in the year and during the middle of the day. There were several Black-capped Chickadees and a lone Red-breasted Nuthatch calling, American Crows and Herring Gulls overhead, and signs of Red Fox and Snowshoe Hare.

The Steps to Restoration

Once the walking trail is established (and this will be done through the PEI 2014 Confederation Forest Planting) you can begin addressing the major issues on the site.

1.The Property Boundaries: The southern boundary should be marked/and or signed so that it is clear where the property starts. This may involve a survey, or simply a visit with the neighbouring landowner. As with almost every property that I have worked on, from Victoria Park and West Royalty Elementary School to the Public Forest Land properties, someone is using the woodland to get rid of something they don’t want on their own property. In this case, it is relatively harmless trimmings from flower beds, but it would be good to have a discussion about this. In some places this has become quite a problem, especially with the inadvertent introduction of invasive native species. A good boundary will ensure that if trees are removed to create openings, the cutter will know exactly where to be working.

2.Non-native and Invasive Species: While eventually this area should be as natural as possible, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish that quickly, and you’d probably wind up doing more damage to the area. The Lindens in the field are at least dropping leaves and providing habitat for birds. They may become a problem in the future as they do tend to tolerate shade. The plants I would remove immediately would be the Silver Poplar (which is root suckering into the field), the Norway Maple (which will aggressively spread by seed as it gets older and the young will outcompete many native species), and the Scots Pine (which can colonize fields).

3.Lack of Diversity: As one would expect, there is a low diversity of native species, especially woodland species, growing on this regenerating field and among the conifer plantings. This can easily be addressed by targeting absent species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns that are suited to the site. The plantings to be carried out during 2014 will include some larger

specimens that will help hasten the change from field to forest and provide valuable seed sources for the area. The plants should not be in rows; rather, they should be growing individually or in natural-looking groups. The species that should be added to the open areas are Red Oak, White Birch, White Ash, American Elm, Eastern Larch, White Spruce, White Pine, Red Osier Dogwood, Highbush Cranberry, a mix of Willow species, Choke Cherry, Pin Cherry, Speckled Alder, Downy Alder and Serviceberry, Seaside Goldenrod, Yellow Coneflower, Blue Flag Iris, Blue-eyed Grass and a few clumps of Sensitive Fern and Ostrich Fern in the shelter of some of the existing trees. In the wooded areas (either in natural or created openings) plant small numbers of Yellow Birch, Sugar Maple, Striped Maple, Eastern Hemlock, Red Spruce, Beaked Hazelnut, Witch Hazel, Alternate-leafed Dogwood, Interrupted Fern and Christmas Fern. Once the areas start growing up, you can eventually add in other rare species of plants such as Ironwood and Hobblebush.

4.Exposure to Wind and Salt Spray: The buffers should be protected and expanded, and so will be a priority for plantings and other work. Most of the punishing winds in the winter are from the northwest, so the opening that now exists should be narrowed. It is difficult to have a natural woodland area and have that vista at the same time. Some compromises will likely have to be made, but generally putting hardy plants such as White Spruce, Wild Rose and Bayberry in the open areas and the more tender trees such as Sugar Maple and Yellow Birch in the protection of the existing woods makes good sense.

5.Diversifying the Conifer Blocks: The most worrisome aspects of the woods are their lack of diversity. Some of those blocks, if not dealt with early, will grow up to be old field white spruce with little regeneration until the older trees start to die and fall down. Create a few small openings in each block to get a start on improving the health and diversity of these stands. Generally, patch cuts should be no larger than the height of the surrounding trees. In this case you should probably be even more cautious. A small opening might only take one tree and a few shrubs. See how these go and continue the process until you have a forest as opposed to a plantation.

6.Heavy Sod in the Field: A heavy sod layer not only hinders regeneration, the grasses can also smother other young plants. Using taller planting stock, as opposed to plugs, will help with this. Planting some large trees and shrubs will also start to shade the grasses and help slow them down. Finally once more leaf litter is on the site, the grasses will start to fade away. In the meantime, all new plants should be well-watered and mulched at planting time. The heavy clumps of sod removed during any plantings such not go in to the planting holes – instead, they should be piled up throughout the site.

7.The Lack of Nutrients and Organic Matter: Old fields on Prince Edward Island are notorious for lacking nutrients and organic matter. Well-rotted manure or compost that is rich in organic matter should be used in all field plantings, especially with the larger deciduous trees that will be planted. Even in the woodland plantings, some species such as Eastern Hemlock really benefit from having organic matter, such as very rotten wood, mixed in the hole at planting time. The additional organic matter helps the plants avoid the “boom or bust” cycle where they get very wet during the rain and then dry right out when the weather is hot. This is very difficult on some of our less-hardy plants.

8.The Lack of Coarse Woody Debris: While the compost and mulch will help add nutrients and organic matter, the addition of coarse woody debris to the site really will help kickstart some of the ecological processes that occur in older forests. Again care should be taken to know the source of this material in order to avoid wood borers and other problematic insects and diseases. Older, rotting firewood or lumber should be brought to the site and piled to mimic large old trees that have fallen down. These will help store water on the site, and provide homes for a variety of flora and fauna. A site this size could easily use 10 cords of wood, but even a few small piles would be very helpful over the long term.

9.The Need for Pruning: Some of the younger regeneration, as well as the older trees, could use some careful pruning. This would not be done to make them look better – it would be so that they are healthier and able to grow taller more quickly. Some of the white pine have had bouts with the White Pine weevil and the leaders are heavily damaged. While this, and the multi-stemmed Red Maples browsed by snowshoe hare, are natural occurrences, judicious pruning will improve the future health of these trees.

This property will one day become a beautiful older forest and proper documentation should be made so that the story can one day be told about how a degraded field and forest became a beautiful part of our Island heritage. It will take a great deal of work, though much of it will be made easier by planting some larger stock. In addition, the public nature of the planting should help get the community involved in helping with the improvement and protection of the site.