2026 Conservation Plan

Year 1, 2026
– Assessment, Invasives, Design, Education, and Building Volunteer Base

Goal 1: Baseline, education, set trajectory and overall design

• 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
• Invasive species inventory
• Develop key steward knowledge
  • Begin certifications
  • Team support
• Build conservation plan, overall design and timeline

Goal 2: Prepare the site

• Begin invasive removal (spring 2026):
  • Bush honeysuckle, Tree of Heaven, Wintercreeper, Bradford pear
  • Other herbaceous invasive species: poison hemlock (herbicide)
• Prepare food forest area(s) – evaluate and remove dead trees and invasives

Goal 3: Slow/prevent erosion, reconnect vegetation to water

• Streambank stabilization:
  • Live staking (willow, dogwood)

Goal 4: Install native plants

• Create designated stream access zones
• Install native trees and shrubs along Big Elm Tributary where honeysuckle & invasives removed
• Consider some key placements along the meander‑core wetland to offset removal of honeysuckle screen along back fences of homes

Goal 5: Prepare for pollinator garden / cut flower garden

• Identify areas and mark
• Herbicide x 2
• Arborist Chips

Goal 6: Build volunteer base

• 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 - RUSS
    • How to remove winter creeper – JERRY W
• Recruit, build contact list, develop partner groups
• Signage
• Establish recurring volunteer workday schedule
  • April – October; 2^nd and 4^th Saturday mornings 10 - 12
  • Invasive removal, Trash removal, Native planting

Goal 7: Maintenance & Stewardship Strategy

• Invasive checks: 2× per year
• Tree care: Mulching, watering first 2–3 years
• Stream access points only—no general bank trampling
• Meadow mowing (if applicable): 1× annually (late winter)
• Volunteer stewardship days to build long‑term success

Goal 8: Secure funding

• 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

✅ Administrative Deliverables:

• Site plan

• Priority restoration map

• Volunteer plan

• Grant applications

• Events