--- title: 2026 Conservation Plan description: Implement a comprehensive conservation plan for 2026, focusing on habitat assessment, invasive species removal, community engagement, and securing funding for sustainable environmental practices. --- [Skip to content](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/2026-conservation-plan#main-content) [![Greenspace Logo copy (1)](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Greenspace%20Logo%20copy%20(1).png?width=1452&height=474&name=Greenspace%20Logo%20copy%20(1).png)](https://bobolink-greenspace.com?hsLang=en) - [GOALS](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/the-big-picture-goals) - [ACTIONS](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/action-goals) - [PLAN](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/5-year-conservation-plan) - [ZONES](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/management-zones) - [JOURNAL](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/chronicle-of-activities) - [PHOTO GALLERY](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/stewardship-photo-gallery) - [INVASIVES](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/invasive-species) - [NATIVES](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/restoration-plantings) - [CONTACT US](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/contact-us) - [COMMITTEE](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/greenspace-stewardship-committee) - [CALENDAR](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/bol-greenspace-calendar) - [BLOG](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/blog) [JOIN THE CAUSE](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) # 2026 Conservation Plan # Year 1, 2026 FOCUS ─ Assessment, Design, Education, and Building PARNTERS & Volunteer Base ### Action Goal 01: Baseline, Education, Conservation & Space Planning, Timeline ###### Strategy - Baseline assessments: - Stream Habitat Assessment - Upstream at beginning of property - Midpoint at Lafayette Crossing - Special note on canopy cover - Water Quality Testing - Upstream at beginning of property - Downstream at end of property - Streambank erosion mapping - Late Summer/Fall: Native vs Invasive Assessment / Inventory (Master Naturalist Grant) - Tree Canopy Assessment - Develop key steward knowledge - Certified Backyard Stream Steward - Identify subject matter expert to assist & verify plan - Water health (Ken Cooke, Mark Felice) - Soil health (Steve Blandford, NRCS) - Sourcing plant materials (Oakland Farm Trees, Trees Lex, Janine Baker) - Bats ( - Birds ( - Species inventory assessment - Conservation activities (NRCS, FCCD) - Use of Land by Students (Lafayette Science Teachers) - Build conservation plan, overall design and timeline ### Action Goal 02: Conservation, Maintenance & Stewardship Strategy ###### Strategy - Invasive checks: 2× per year - Tree care: Mulching, watering first 2–3 years - Stream access points only—no general bank trampling - Meadow mowing (after fully established, 3-5 years): 1× annually (late winter) - Volunteer stewardship days to build long‑term success ### Action Goal 03: Build & Educate Volunteer Base ###### Strategy - Community engagement: - 4 Educational Events /site walks - ✓Stream Habitat Assessment – RUSS, March 28 - How to use iNaturalist / How to work on your own schedule - BEVERLY - How to identify invasives / How to work on your own schedule - RUSS - ✓Creating spaces – June 13, 2026 RUSS / Natural play – RUSS, June 27, 2026, rained out, October 24 - ✓ How to remove winter creeper – JERRY W, April 25, 2026 - Lafayette School Engagement - Recruit, build contact list, develop partner groups - Signage - “You found” plant species info sheets for each identified native plant - Invasive species fact sheet and stewardship action info - More permanent signage to be determined - Establish recurring volunteer workday schedule - April – November; 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings 10 – 12 (updated to weekly for simplicity) - Invasive removal, Trash removal, Native planting ### Action Goal 04: Secure Funding ###### Strategy - Always reapply for Lexington Stormwater Quality Grant (2027 - May 1, 2026 deadline) - Document list of potential grant sources and deadlines - - Lexington Stormwater Quality Grant (Priority) - NRCS (eligible only for EQIP) – applied 2026 - CAIP (eligible due to farm #) – applied March 2026 - FCCD educational grant – missed this year - Apply October 1 - Monarch Milkweed Grant - [https://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/free-milkweeds-schools-nonprofits/](https://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/free-milkweeds-schools-nonprofits/) - Perhaps find a student to do a native inventory – here’s a grant - [https://www.knps.org/knps-grants/](https://www.knps.org/knps-grants/) - Youth Project - [https://wildones.org/seeds-for-education/sfe-application/](https://wildones.org/seeds-for-education/sfe-application/) - Opens July 15 – Nov 15 - Master Naturalist Grant – first year offered. Carol Spence applied and was awarded $500 for native-invasive audit. ### Action Goal 05: Invasive Control: Woody Brush Management, Herbaceous Weed Control Invasives thrive in disturbed soil where vegetation is sparse and sunlight is plenty. ###### Strategy **Focus first on species that:** spread rapidly, form monocultures, destabilize streambanks, prevent native regeneration **Create Native Competition:** The best long-term invasive species management tool is a healthy native plant community. - Dense groundcover - Shrub layers - Tree canopy - Continuous vegetation - Spring 2026: professional invasive removal - Bush honeysuckle, Tree of Heaven, Bradford pear, Multifloral Rose - Cut, treat, monitor for resprout, follow up in fall. - Fall 2026: professional invasive maintenance - Volunteer invasive removal - Wintercreeper – ongoing and slow moving - Other herbaceous invasive species that must be removed to garbage bags: poison hemlock (cut blossoms or herbicide early spring); garlic mustard (pull in early spring) - Young regrowth of honeysuckle, tree of heaven, multiflora rose easily pulled by hand / shallow dig. Small infestations can usually be handled by volunteers. - Dense Herbaceous Patches: repeat cutting, smother with mulch, dense native planting **Remove → Replant → Mulch** within the same season. **Follow the 80/20 Rule:** spend roughly 20% of effort removing invasives | 80% of effort establishing native plants **Ongoing.** Expect management over several years. Find largest seed-producing patch and control this first. This often produces more benefit than clearing small, scattered patches. **Bare Ground is The Enemy.** The biggest mistake in restoration is creating bare soil. Ideally, do not leave bare soil – plant herbaceous immediately. I**nvasive Trees.** Treat carefully and avoid removing all mature trees at once. This can increase erosion, increase sunlight, and trigger new invasions. Phase removals over several years. “Cut and Squirt” is especially effective with Tree of Heaven. By damaging the bark and applying herbicide, it be taken in by the tree and distributed throughout the root system, slowly killing the tree and the spread of new saplings. **Habitat Retention** – cutting large trees to a 15-20 ft trunk can create a stag tree (large, often old tree—alive or dead—with hollows, aged branches, and crevices that provide critical habitat for wildlife). **Woody debris** can be left in place for smaller amounts. Large amounts of woody debris can be gathered in a central location near the Jacana entrance and picked up by LFUCG/Foresty. **2026 Details:** - Spring 2026: professional invasive removal - Bush honeysuckle, Tree of Heaven, Bradford pear, Multifloral Rose - Cut, treat, monitor for resprout, follow up in fall. - Fall 2026: professional invasive maintenance - Volunteer invasive removal - Wintercreeper – ongoing and slow moving - Other herbaceous invasive species that must be removed to garbage bags: poison hemlock (cut blossoms or herbicide early spring); garlic mustard (pull in early spring) - Young regrowth of honeysuckle, tree of heaven, multiflora rose easily pulled by hand / shallow dig. Small infestations can usually be handled by volunteers. - Dense Herbaceous Patches: repeat cutting, smother with mulch, dense native planting ### Action Goal 06: Slow/Prevent Erosion, Reconnect Vegetation To Water ###### Strategy - Streambank stabilization: - Live staking (willow, dogwood) - Riparian restoration - Install native herbaceous plants, trees (limit to 20 ft tall due to ROW), and shrubs along Big Elm Tributary where honeysuckle & invasives removed - Create designated stream access paths/zones ### Action Goal 07: Restore Native Species ###### Strategy - Use native species for in all areas based on water, sun and soil needs. - Banks, Riparian, Upland Turf, Meader Core Wetland - Document name, location, date of installation - Use plant tags and wooden grade stakes to mark plant location - Install signage about each species ### Action Goal 08: Soil Regeneration Planning & Implementation ###### Strategy - Confirm strategy with SME; partner with UK Agronomy and soil scientists - Can coincide with pollinator and meadow establishment - Identify areas and mark: one for regeneration vs standard turf grass - Baseline soil samples and testing; Mark permanent sampling points - Map site (sun, drainage, rock density) - Signage and documentation ### Action Goal 09: Pollinator Garden, Native Meadows, Cut Flower Garden ###### Strategy - Identify areas and mark - Herbicide x min 2, ideal 4 -OR- solarization Spring through Fall. - Border with arborist chips & mowing path   ### ✅ Administrative Deliverables: Site plan Priority restoration map Volunteer plan Grant applications Events   [2027 Conservation Plan](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/2027-conservation-plan?hsLang=en) ### Exploring Our Stream ![Explore Our Streams](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Slide1.jpg?width=400&height=200&name=Slide1.jpg) ![Greenspace Logo copy (1)](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/hubfs/Greenspace%20Logo%20copy%20(1).png) steward@bobolink-greenspace.com Copyright © 2022 MakeWebBetter All Rights Reserved. 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