Year 2, 2027 – Streambank & Wetland Restoration

Action Goal 1: Evaluate Previous Work

Strategy

• Monitor native plant/shrub/tree survival
• Monitor bank stabilization - survival of live stakes (willow, dogwood), presence & condition of logs, erosion control fabric, etc

Action Goal 2: Prepare the site

Strategy

• Begin meander‑core wetland restoration:
  • Option to use contract with NRCS
  • Invasive removal
  • Native sedges, rushes, swamp milkweed
  • No hard edges

Action Goal 3: Slow/prevent erosion, improve stream bank vegetation

Strategy

• Continue streambank stabilization:
  • Install additional bank stabilization plants and hard materials as needed.

Action Goal 4:  Food Forest – group native edibles 

Strategy

• Install fruit and nut trees and shrubs
  • Pawpaw, American persimmon, hazelnut, etc

Action Goal 5:  Plant pollinator and cut flower gardens 

Strategy

• Option to use contract with NRCS
• Volunteer workday
• Signage / Install “do not mow” buffer markers – not for landowner, but to show “this is intentional”

Action Goal 6: Wildlife Habitat

Strategy

• Install bat houses. Bat boxes placed near riparian edges and open flyways
  (riparian proximity and edge habitat increase bat activity)
  • Option to use contract with NRCS
• Install bird houses (see educational event)
  • Bird nesting structures and snag retention
• Evaluate “rabbitat”
  • Brush piles from invasive removal

Action Goal 7:  Begin Sample Soil Regeneration Site

Strategy, Year 1– reduce compaction + feed soil biology

• Spring Cover Crops → Protect soil, improve structure & microbial activity ; Oats or annual rye (root mass +erosion control), 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 8:  Build 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
• Volunteer workdays

Action Goal 9: Maintenance & Stewardship Strategy

Strategy

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

Action Goal 9: Secure funding

Strategy

• Always reapply for Lexington Stormwater Quality Grant (2028 - May 1, 2027 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

✅ Administrative Deliverables:

Updating and maintaining conservation plan and maps

Grant applications

Events