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Home My WebLink About05-02-23 PTRC SpecialAPPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Buckthorn Management - Great River Greening MEMO.PDF ATTACHMENT A.PDF ATTACHMENT B.PDF ATTACHMENT C.PDF Fiscal Matching For City Of Arden Hills MEMO.PDF REPORTS Sub Group Discussion For GRG MEMO.PDF NEXT MEETING Next Meeting Is Tuesday, May 16, 2023 ADJOURN A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. Chair: Marie Hinton (2024) Committee Members: Jill Anderson (2024) Dan Dietz (2024) Mark Kelliher (2025) Lacy Loosbrock (2025) Timothy Nelson (2024) Kate Olson (2025) Kristine Poelzer (2025) Kerri Seemann (2025) Emelia Rogers (2025) Vacant Vacant Council Liaison: Emily Rousseau Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee Special Meeting May 2, 2023 5:30 p.m. City Hall Address: 1245 W Highway 96 Arden Hills MN 55112 Phone: 651 -792 -7800 Website : www.cityofardenhills.org City Vision Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, well -maintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long -standing tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play. The public may access this meeting remotely by joining via Zoom. To join the Zoom meeting, click this link (or copy and paste it into a new browser): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87670013222?pwd=Vnh5dHJuV2wreXNmOExQd1lTS0ZCZz09 Agenda CALL TO ORDER 1. 2. 3. 4. 4.A. Documents: 4.B. Documents: 5. 5.A. Documents: 6. 6.A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Buckthorn Management - Great River Greening MEMO.PDF ATTACHMENT A.PDF ATTACHMENT B.PDF ATTACHMENT C.PDF Fiscal Matching For City Of Arden Hills MEMO.PDF REPORTS Sub Group Discussion For GRG MEMO.PDF NEXT MEETING Next Meeting Is Tuesday, May 16, 2023 ADJOURN A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. Chair:Marie Hinton (2024)Committee Members:Jill Anderson (2024)Dan Dietz (2024)Mark Kelliher (2025)Lacy Loosbrock (2025)Timothy Nelson (2024)Kate Olson (2025)Kristine Poelzer (2025)Kerri Seemann (2025)Emelia Rogers (2025)VacantVacantCouncil Liaison:Emily Rousseau Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee Special Meeting May 2, 2023 5:30 p.m. City Hall Address:1245 W Highway 96Arden Hills MN 55112Phone:651 -792 -7800Website:www.cityofardenhills.orgCity VisionArden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, well -maintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long -standing tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play.The public may access this meeting remotely by joining via Zoom.To join the Zoom meeting, click this link (or copy and paste it into a new browser): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87670013222?pwd=Vnh5dHJuV2wreXNmOExQd1lTS0ZCZz09AgendaCALL TO ORDER1. 2. 3. 4. 4.A. Documents: 4.B. Documents: 5. 5.A. Documents: 6. 6.A. New Business – 4A MEMORANDUM DATE: May 2, 2023 TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Marie Hinton SUBJECT: Buckthorn Management – Great River Greening Buckthorn Mark and others to provide update of buckthorn removal activities and research including goats and Minnesota Legacy Fund. Additional Reports if needed. Attachment Attachment A – Mark’s slides Attachment B – Kerri’s Survey Attachment C – GRG PTRC Buckthorn Proposal 1 Objectives •Adopt a long-term approach to buckthorn management •For time period beginning Fall-2024 •Requires partnering with Great River Greening •Adopt an interim approach to buckthorn management •For timeframe of 2023-2024 Urgent c o n si d e r a ti o n requir e d 2 Overview Primer PTRC’s View Process and Pricing of interim approach Proposal Overview 3 Primer Buckthorn-wh at is it? Brought from Europe as an ornamental shrub and has successfully outcompeted native Minnesota species Longer growing season Proliferates both through angiosperm seed and rhizomes Resilience to removal •Fibrous root system is tenacious No natural predation •Deer don’t have an appetite for it Description—A dioecious tree-like shrub that grows to 20-25’ There are two species of buckthorn found in Minnesota European (“common”) and glossy —both are a problem Primer Buckthorn-what is it? 4 Primer Buckthorn-where it resides in Minnesota European (“common”) Buckthorn Glossy Buckthorn Source: Minnesota DNR Note that Arden Hills is at ground-zero for both species of buckthorn 5 Primer Why is buckthorn a problem? •Crowds out native species and threatens wildlife habitat •Forms an impenetrable layer of vegetation •“Completely eliminates understory plant diversity”—University of Minnesota •Birds are drawn to the dioecious berries •The birds are sickened by the berries and further spread the seed through diarrhea •Contributes to erosion by shading out other forest floor growth •Serves as host to pests, such as crown rust fungus •Lacks “natural controls” like insects , disease, or predation •What the experts say •MN Department of Agriculture—”Known to be detrimental to human and animal health and the environment” •University of Minnesota Extension—”One of Minnesota’s most damaging invasive plants” •Minnesota DNR—”An invasive species that is a real threat to our forests” 6 PTRC’s View •PTRC’s 2023 goals include the following: •Buckthorn eradication/mitigation •Focus on eco-friendly interactions when managing our parks and trails •PTRC identified Floral and Perry Parks, and “Chatham Trails” as targets •Non-mutually exclusive solutions include: •Forestry mowing •Cutting trees individually, then spot application of herbicide to the stumps •Goat-Landscaping •Because of the tenacity and prevalence of buckthorn seed, a long-term solution must also include a re-vegetative program to restore areas where buckthorn has been “harvested” 7 PTRC’s View •Initial plan was to research the use of goats to mitigate buckthorn •Goats are eco-friendly •Almost all seeds consumed by goats do not survive digestive process •Using goats would increase public awareness that Arden Hills takes buckthorn (and its parks) seriously—Great public relations! •Excellent education opportunity for schools and the community •Goats grazing would mimic the natural disturbances that our wooded areas would otherwise experience if not for the proximity of residential homes •With homes nearby, forest fires in the woods no longer occurs naturally •Using goats offers collateral benefit of eliminating other invasives •Goats love garlic mustard and poison ivy– YUM! 8 PTRC’s View •In exploring funding opportunities for goat-landscaping, a relationship with the non-profit organization Great River Greening was established •Great River Greening’s Mission: •“Great River Greening inspires, engages and leads local communities in conserving and caring for the land and water that enrich our lives” •“Great River Greening creates resilient landscapes, address biodiversity loss, and sequester and store carbon through community-based stewardship” 9 PTRC’s View •Great River Greening has resources to help Arden Hills combat buckthorn using five distinct areas of expertise •Identify and apply for grant funding •Construct an ecological blueprint for converting our impacted parks to a healthier and native design •Supply manpower to harvest buckthorn from the woods •Coordinate volunteer recruiting efforts •Educate Arden Hills residents 10 PTRC’s View- A long-term solution •PTRC extensively vetted Great River Greening and believes a partnership is an extraordinary opportunity •The resources Great River Greening can bring to the table are an opportunity to address buckthorn for the long-term •Partnering would make available funding and other resources not currently within Arden Hill’s capabilities •Great River Greening is inviting Arden Hills to participate in its grant-writing exercise for monies available through the Outdoor Heritage Trust Fund (Minnesota Legacy Program) •Deadline for applying is May 26, 2023 •If awarded, grant monies won’t be available until Fall-2024 11 Urgent consideration required PTRC View- An interim solution (2023-2024) •Assuming Arden Hills chooses to partner with Great River Greening, awarded grant monies will not become available until Fall-2024 •Thus, an interim solution must be considered •PTRC’s original idea of using goat-landscaping is an excellent interim solution •Here’s what we did and what we learned •Internet and referrals identified seven goat-landscaping firms •Six of the eight vendors responded •Five of these vendors have made onsite visits and assessments •Each vendor was asked which site should be chosen to provide the best opportunity as a “pilot project” to establish a beachhead for success 12 PTRC View- An interim solution (2023-2024) •Goats love buckthorn leaves (and berries for dessert!), but aren’t able to graze on taller, bigger buckthorn •Therefore, continue ongoing volunteer efforts to “harvest” larger buckthorn •Studies show resurgence and reinvasion is thwarted if harvested areas are extensively planted with native sedges, grasses, and trees •Follow the ecological blueprint prescribed by Great River Greening •Likelihood is oaks, maples, elderberry, dogwood, and hazelnut will be used 13 Pricing-- Other Funding Sources 14 In addition to procuring Legacy Fund monies, Great River Greening can aid in applying for Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (Minnesota Lottery) monies Monies may be available from the Arden Hills Foundation •Additional monies could be generated through community fundraising •Use the Foundation as an intermediary Minnesota Department of Agriculture Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation District Pricing of Interim Solution 15 Goat Landscaping Vendor Proposals Herder Approx price/acre Chatham Trails Floral Park Hazelnut Park Perry Park We Goat Chew $520** $25,000 $12,500 $7,280 $17,680 Midwest Goat Mitigation $750** $36,000 $18,000 $10,500 $25,500 Goats on the Go $1,350 (+$200 fee) $65,000 $32,600 $19,100 $46,100 The Munch Bunch $1,850** (+$600 fee) $42,120 $21,360 $12,710 $30,010 Diversity Landworks $600**$28,800 $14,400 $8,400 $20,400 Totes My Goats No follow-up response Goat Dispatch No initial response Add $80/acre for native grass seed (assumes 8#/acre) *All respondents recommended that at least two grazings will be required for optimal results ** Assumes contract is for a minimum of 10 acres Assumed Acreage Chatham Trails- 24 acres Floral Park- 12 acres Hazelnut Park- 7 acres Perry Park- 17 acres Proposal •PTRC requests that Council •Authorize Staff to work with Great River Greening to participate in upcoming grant-writing exercise •Application Deadline is May 26, 2023 •Commit to a test-project of at least one acre and authorize Staff to engage in contract discussions with goat-herders identified by PTRC •Chatham Trails, Hazelnut, and Floral Parks are best chance of success because buckthorn has already been thinned in those areas 16 Appendix Revegetation has big and positive impact Study conclusions from the University of Minnesota: •Herbaceous seeding (grasses and sedges) had a positive impact when canopy openness was greater than 10% (more light) •Shrubs and trees had a positive impact when canopy openness was <10% (darker) 17 Appendix Revegetation, plus herbicide has big impact 18 Appendix Revegetation, plus herbicide has big impact Appendix Manual intervention has big impact Chatham Trails Volunteer effort Before After 19 Appendix Manual intervention has dramatic effect Follow - u p s till requir e d l a t e r Appendix Manual intervention has big impact Chatham Trails Volunteer Effort Before After 20 Appendix Manual intervention has dramatic effect Follow - u p s till requir e d l a t e r Appendix What are other cities doing? 21 Appendix What are other nearby cities doing? Appendix Buckthorn Infested Acreage 22 Appendix Buckthorn Infested Acreage 23 Perry Park Buckthorn Survey April 23,2023 I measured buckthorn density along two transect lines,50’and 100’from the junction in the trail.One square meter plots were surveyed at 10’increments along the transects,and the size and quantity of buckthorn found in the plots was recorded. ⇧Transect line locations Findings ⇦Buckthorn growth is densest along the trail where light is available. ●Seedling and sapling growth is sparse under the canopy. ●While there are not many large buckthorn trees to cut down (per square meter),there are a LOT of seedlings ~1-2”tall,which will grow quickly once the canopy is removed.(See chart on page 2.) Conclusions:Even though I really want to clear out this buckthorn ASAP,I think that we should not start removing it until we are ready to for a full,concerted effort to not only remove the buckthorn,but also begin seeding and start a long-term maintenance regime (preferably including controlled burning,which kills buckthorn seedlings). ●Removing the canopy exposes the soil to erosion,which would be a problem at this site with a slope that can be >20%. ●Removing the canopy exposes buckthorn seedlings to light and would result in an overall increase in buckthorn abundance. Transect 1,Plot 4:102 buckthorn seedlings–too small to be visible in this photo–near two mature buckthorn trees Transect 1 Photo <1/4"1/4"1/2"1"1-1/2"2"3"4"5"6"7"8"9"10"11"1'+ Plot 1 X 34 3 1 1 1 Plot 2 103 2 1 1 Plot 3 X 135 Plot 4 X 102 Plot 5 231 Transect 2 Plot 1 21 9 2 Plot 2 X 102 1 Plot 3 X 31 1 1 1 1 Plot 4 73 Plot 5 128 1 Average:96 2 0.7 Potential Partnership with Great River Greening for the Purpose of Habitat Restoration in Arden Hills Parks We showed the representatives of Great River Greening four Arden Hills parks that we believed are best suited for restoration at this time: three where city staff and volunteers have been working to remove buckthorn (Floral, Hazelnut and Chatham Trails) and one where work has not begun but was listed as a “high priority area” by the Rice Creek Watershed District in the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The following is a summary of their initial impressions with preliminary cost estimates. “With the varying degree of work being done across the four parks and the amount of maintenance the City would need to take on/coordinate after grant-funded work is completed, it would be best to look at phasing these parks over several funding cycles. I want to make sure anything we do or propose sets the City and others involved for long-term success. Here are my initial thoughts and are open for discussion.” - Todd Rexine, Director of Operations and Programs, Great River Greening Phase 1 - Hazelnut and Floral Parks Notes: there has been a lot of work done to date by [city staff and] volunteers. The sites just need the next big push. Open grown oaks at Floral point towards more of a Savanna restoration.(rough estimates: $104,500 for Floral Park and $70,000 for Hazelnut Park) Develop a Parks Natural Resource Management Plan encompassing Hazelnut, Floral, Perry and Chatham if not in place already. Woodland/Forested Areas: ●Continued management of invasive species (Broadleaf and woody). ●Tree thinning and possible ash removal. There are a lot of trees of similar age class and not a lot of signs of oak regeneration due to dense canopy. ●60% -70% reduction of the dead and down material. ●All wood material being removed would either be chipped and hauled off or ideally be processed as Biochar on site and spread back out. ●Initial planting of the ground layer with a simple savanna/woodland grass mix – This will help create a fuel load in prep for any future prescribed burn regime. ●After tree thinning, selective tree and shrub planting of desirable species. ○Floral Park specific-> Some of the planting areas would be in areas with a heavy poplar presence. The Poplars are a successional tree species and would provide a nursery environment while longer term species develop. Set up 2 year watering regime for all planted trees and shrubs. ●In the last year of the grant, plant and seed flowering plants. Planted material would be in 10x10 nursery plots that could be divided down the road and transplanted across the sites. Prairie Areas:Primarily Hazelnut but there is a section at Floral under the powerlines. ●Remove shrubs and trees that have encroached into the areas. ●Conduct a vegetation assessment. ●Burn off sites if able. Otherwise mow off sites and remove material. ●If there is primarily undesirable vegetation, reset the site by killing off the vegetation and reseeding. Attachment C Floral Park:~13 acres woodland (oak, aspen, ash, pine) ~0.4 acres under the power lines that could be prairie This space under the power lines could be prairie. Forestry mowing has cleared the buckthorn in this space, but follow-up treatment and planting/seeding is still required. Hazelnut Park:~5.5 acres woodland (oak, aspen, ash, elm) ~0.9 acres meadow/prairie (currently invasive species) the meadow of invasive species that could be restored to prairie woodland where initial buckthorn clearing has happened Phase 2 - Chatham Park:~20 acres of dense buckthorn (rough estimate: $199,500 for Chatham Trails, phases2&3) dense buckthorn throughout much of Chatham Trails Phase 3 - Perry Park:Perry Park notes: The natural areas of the park are sandwiched by County land. It would be prudent to work with Ramsey County to coordinate any restoration efforts across property lines for long term success. The site appears to want to be Oak Savanna with woodland pockets on the east and north facing slopes and wetland edges.(rough estimates: $120,000 for Perry Park) Woodland/Forested Areas:~16.8 acres ●Removal of invasive tree and shrub species and management of other broadleaf invasive species ●Tree thinning and possible ash removal. There are a lot of trees of similar age class and not a lot of signs of oak regeneration due to dense canopy. ●60-70% reduction in dead and down material. ●All wood material being removed would either be chipped and hauled off or ideally be processed as Biochar on site and spread back out. ○Material along steep slopes will be a challenge and will need to address how to remove – possibility of portable biochar kilns (desirable) or burn piles (less desirable). ●Initial planting of the ground layer with a simple savanna/woodland grass mix – This will help create a fuel load in prep for any future prescribed burn regime. ●After tree thinning, selective tree and shrub planting of desirable species. Set up 2 year watering regime for all planted trees and shrubs. ●In the last year of the grant plant and seed flowering plants. Planted material would be in 10x10 nursery plots that could be divided down the road and transplanted across the sites. dense buckthorn at Perry Park and adjacent city-owned land, which could be restored to oak savanna ←restored oak savanna across the train tracks in Tony Schmidt Park, for comparison Prairie Area - Chatham Park ~2.7 acres ●Remove shrubs and trees that have encroached into the area. ●Conduct a vegetation assessment. ●Burn off sites if able. Otherwise Mow off site and remove material. ●If there is primarily undesirable vegetation, reset the site by killing off the vegetation and reseeding. New Business – 4B MEMORANDUM DATE: May 2, 2023 TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Marie Hinton SUBJECT: Fiscal Amount Proposed for Buckthorn Removal A bench handout will be provided with details on the fiscal amount PTRC will recommend the City of Arden Hills will match. Reports - 5A MEMORANDUM DATE: May 2, 2023 TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Matthew Johnson SUBJECT: Sub Group Discussion for GRG PTRC to have a quick discussion of a sub group to help GRG with moving forward with the grant. 1. 2-3 members that are willing to volunteer help 2. Point of contact for anything GRG might need