--- title: 2027 Conservation Plan description: This conservation plan outlines strategies for streambank restoration, habitat improvement, community engagement, and funding efforts for sustainable environmental practices in 2027. --- [Skip to content](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/2027-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) # 2027 Conservation Plan # Year 2, 2027 FOCUS – Riparian, Streambank & Wetland Restoration ### Action Goal 01: Baseline, Education, Conservation & Space Planning, Timeline ###### Strategy - Continue / repeat species inventory for Spring baseline ### Action Goal 02: Conservation, Maintenance & Stewardship Strategy ###### Strategy - Invasive checks: 2× per year - Invasive removal - Manage aggressive natives (Sumac and Black Locust) - Sumac by thinning and perimeter mowing - Black Locust is growing under the KU ROW, requires removal or height management - Meadow mowing (if applicable): 1× annually (late winter) - Tree care: Mulching, watering first 2–3 years - Stream access points only—no general bank trampling ### Action Goal 03: Build & Educate Volunteer Base ###### Strategy - Community engagement: - 4 Educational Events / Site walks - The Greenspace in Winter - The Greenspace in Spring - Building birdhouses with kids - The Greenspace in Summer - The Greenspace in Fall - Nurture contact list – newsletter, social events - 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 - Regular volunteer workdays ### 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) - CAIP (eligible due to farm #) - FCCD educational grant – Deadline March 31 – Apply for something! - Youth Project - [https://wildones.org/seeds-for-education/sfe-application/](https://wildones.org/seeds-for-education/sfe-application/) - Opens July 15 – Nov 15 ### Action Goal 05: Invasive Control: Woody Brush Management, Herbaceous Weed Control ###### Strategy - Professional maintenance of 2026 Spring invasive removal - Bush honeysuckle, Tree of Heaven, Wintercreeper, Bradford pear - Volunteer invasive removal - Other herbaceous invasive species: poison hemlock (cut blossoms or herbicide early spring); garlic mustard (pull in early spring) ### Action Goal 06: Slow/Prevent Erosion, Reconnect Vegetation To Water ###### Strategy - Continue streambank stabilization: - Install additional bank stabilization plants and hard materials as needed. ### Action Goal 07: Restore Native Species ###### Strategy - Replace natives that did not survive from previous years - Continue to add native trees and shrubs, focusing on areas where invasives were removed ### Action Goal 08: Soil Regeneration Planning & Implementation ##### Apply Regenerative Practices (Year 1) ###### Strategy – reduce compaction + feed soil biology - Spring Cover Crops → Protect soil, improve structure & microbial activity; Oats or annual rye (root mass +erosion control), Rapeseed, Buckwheat (fast biomass + pollinator support), Daikon radish (compaction breaker); Red clover (fix nitrogen) - Fall Cover Crops → Protect soil, improve structure & microbial activity; Cereal rye (root mass +erosion control), Crimson clover (fix nitrogen) - Track: % plant cover, number of species, soil feel (crumbly vs compacted), earthworms / insects ### Action Goal 09: Pollinator Garden, Native Meadows, Cut Flower Garden ###### Strategy - Add Monarch Way Station (applied for Free Milkweed Grant from Monarch Watch, Oct 2026) - Volunteer workday - Signage / Install “do not mow” buffer markers – not for landowner, but to show “this is intentional” ### Action Goal 10: Wetland Restoration ###### Strategy - Begin meander‑core wetland restoration: - Invasive removal - Native sedges, rushes, swamp milkweed - Consider some key placements along the meander‑core wetland to offset removal of honeysuckle screen along back fences of homes ### Action Goal 11: Micro Forest, Food Forest ###### Strategy - Install large native trees in Large Tree Zone - Install under canopy native trees & shrubs - Install herbaceous natives - Evaluate soil for contaminants for fruit & nut tree - Install seed, fruit and nut producing species when possible (Pawpaw, American persimmon, hazelnut, etc) ### Action Goal 12: Wildlife Habitat: Structures & Plantings ###### Strategy - Install bat houses. Bat boxes placed near riparian edges and open flyways (riparian proximity and edge habitat increase bat activity) - Install bird houses (see educational event) - Bird nesting structures (plans from Cornell Ornithology) - Evaluate “rabbitat” - Brush piles from invasive removal ### Action Goal 13: Evaluate Work ###### Strategy - Monitor & document native plant/shrub/tree survival - Monitor & document bank stabilization - survival of live stakes (willow, dogwood), presence & condition of logs, erosion control fabric, etc - Monitor spread of aggressive natives – ex Sumac and Black Locust #### ✅ Administrative Deliverables: Updating and maintaining conservation plan and maps Grant applications Events     [2028 Conservation Plan](https://bobolink-greenspace.com/2028-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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