Newsletters
December 2013-Bioreserve Problems, Spicebush Swallowtail
WELCOME TO GREEN FUTURES !
DECEMBER, 2013
"In order to get anywhere near high office [a politician] has to make so many compromises and submit to so many humiliations that he/she becomes indistinguishable from a streetwalker."
- H.L. Menken
“The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who gets the river cleaned up.”
-Ross Perot
OSTRICH SYNDROME – THE DIAGNOSIS IS IN – The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has apparently a terminal case!
This December marks one year since we attended a DCR public hearing on their proposal to commercially log two white pine stands in the Freetown State Forest section of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
Basically what we heard at that hearing was that DCR was going to put out a contract on logging barely merchantable white pine trees “because they could.”
One stand of our pines that they wished to cut from our land was growing in an area where severe erosion and wetland damage had occurred due to illegal off-highway vehicle (OHV) activity that DCR had negligently allowed to occur. At the December, 2012, hearing we respectfully asked that the proposed plan for the timber extraction on that damaged site be halted until the damage, caused by the illegal OHV activity, was repaired.
Following that hearing we issued an “Action Alert” asking for public support in our effort to stop the proposed timber extraction until the damaged land and brook were repaired. Many of you responded and sent in comments. We waited for DCR’s response to comments and were sorely disappointed when not only did they refuse to halt their planned ill-conceived logging project along the hillside and brook, but they gave short, simplistic, formulaic answers to the submitted comments they received. Why hold a public hearing, ask for comments …and then trivially dismiss all comments?
At that time, last winter, we asked only two things of DCR. One, that they repair the hillside and restore the brook …before any timber extraction …and two …that before they proposed any more timber extraction projects for the Freetown State Forest section of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve they meet with the Bioreserve Partners and stakeholders in creating a long- term Forest Biodiversity Stewardship Plan so that, in the future, all Bioreserve land-holding entities would be working cooperatively in keeping with the Bioreserve’s mission.
Wondering what was behind DCR’s single-minded, uncompromising effort to log the low-value pine we soon deduced the real reason was that they had finally discovered that egregious erosion had occurred, due to their negligence, and by logging the pine and throwing the left-over slash and other woody debris into the eroded gullies and dropping trees helter-skelter on the slope and hill they could hide the embarrassing damage.
We don’t want damage hidden, we want the damage fixed and we want what’s causing the damage stopped!
During the past year we’ve been walking other sections of the Rattlesnake Brook valley looking for other areas of OHV damage. We were appalled to find other locations with OHV damage almost as bad as that found along that first damaged slope that DCR was trying to hide.
DCR does not allow 4 wheel all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs) at Freetown. They do allow dirt-bikes. Dirt-bikers are supposed to remain on their “official” dedicated single-track path. Unfortunately the responsible riders are outnumbered by scores of unorganized individuals and groups who ride where they want.
DCR has ignored this issue for years. Although DCR views motorized activity as an acceptable form of recreation on our lands that they manage, they don’t provide funding or manpower to effectively monitor, maintain or enforce the rules and regulations that govern off-road activity.
What started as concern over DCR’s ill-conceived logging plans in the Bioreserve has developed into a campaign to get DCR to accept the fact that OHV activity is out of control and it is DCR’s responsibility to bring it under control. The damage to the land, streams, wetlands, sensitive habitats and wildlife species is unacceptable …especially in a bioreserve.
We encountered this same problem (DCR was DEM at the time) …almost 20 years ago … when we became angry viewing damage caused by illegal OHV access and 24/7 vandalism in that same area of the forest at Assonet Ledge.
This was pre-Bioreserve and we were relatively new at that time and quite naïve about the value of promises coming from Boston bureaucrats ensconced in state agencies.
Although we were assured rules, regulations and laws would be enforced to stop the damage from illegal access and vandalism, it was never done. DEM simply buried its head in the sand.
Hey, it’s almost 2014. Yes, it’s DCR déjà vu …over and over and over again!
Here is some history: In 1995 we and the Friends of the Fall River-Freetown State Forest did a massive clean-up removing years of graffiti off Assonet Ledge and also removing TONS of trash from the lovely and ecologically significant pond at the base of the ledge.
After its abandonment as a working quarry Assonet Ledge, over the years, became a place where phoebes built nests on the granite shelves and bats roosted in ledge crevices. Dogwoods bloomed in early May …and in the evening flying squirrels zipped through the treetops. Ruffed grouse drummed on the adjacent hillsides and trout, stocked by MassWildlife, dimpled the surface of Ledge Pond.
Unfortunately, via woods roads, without gates, that section of the state forest became accessible to high-lift trucks and off-road vehicles and became a dumping ground for trash and activities that one wouldn’t/couldn’t do in their own neighborhood …a place for nitwits to dump anything they wanted to dispose of, roll stolen and/or junked cars off the top into the pond below and for young people, mostly, to smoke pot, drink, sniff and spray paint.
For our clean-up we had support from DEM, Eastern Mountain Sports, the Freetown Fire Department, Fall River Fire Department, cranberry bog owners who donated pumps, Bristol County League of Sportsmen and some area businesses and individual volunteers.
We received a permit from DEM to remain overnight since we knew this would be a more than one day job and we also had to safeguard the donated trucks and equipment we had at the site. At about 1 a.m., the first night of the clean-up, while snug in our sleeping bags, a whole convoy of OHVs arrived looking for “the party.” They were as amazed to see us and all of our equipment as we were to see them.
At the top of the ledge with power washers and dangling vertically off the wall from ropes, we removed 90% of the vulgarities, crude drawings of male/female body parts and other graffiti. The most interesting piece of trash that was retrieved, with the help of SCUBA divers from the Freetown Fire Department and a huge winch, was a 1950s era bread truck pulled up from the bottom of Ledge Pond.
We did this clean-up not only to save a unique wildlife habitat and a historically significant granite quarry site with fantastic views of the surrounding forest from the top, but because we were told, in 1995, that OHV activity would shortly be banned or severely restricted from sensitive areas in state forests across Massachusetts and that, if allowed, there would be supervision and monitoring of areas where allowed and that rules and regulations would be strictly enforced.
Shortly, spring of 1996, DEM did announce a “new policy for the management of Off-Road-Vehicles (ORVs) in Massachusetts State Forests and Parks.”
DEM’s study had revealed, “Significant problems surrounding ORV use at DEM facilities. Impacts to wetlands, and rare species habitat have been widespread, as were accelerated soil erosion, mud holes, trail widening, and unauthorized cutting of new trails.” DEM also stated that, “ORVs also compact soil, which decreases the infiltration rate, causing standing water, and ultimate mudholes. All these impacts are cumulative and steadily worsen with continued ORV use. Conflicts between ORV users and other forest visitors have also been common, most often in the form of displacement – non-motorized users simply staying away from areas frequented by ORV users. “
“Finally, the evaluations showed that DEM did not have the capability to effectively manage an extensive ORV trail system given the vehicles’ disproportionate level of impact and the fact that only 7% of Forest and Park visitors use ORVs.”
All of the above occurred almost 20 years ago! The only change has been DCR has stuck more motorized OHV users on less land.
We, along with various stakeholder groups and individuals, local and statewide, along with DEM/DCR, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife/Game, EOEA/EOEEA, Fall River Water Department and The Trustees of Reservations created the 13,500 acre …and hopefully growing … Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve during that same period starting almost 20 year ago.
Through the outdoor activities and environmental programs offered by us, TTOR, Fall River Water Department and others a Bioreserve constituency is growing. In this tri-city (Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton) area, day to day economic survival for many residents is their paramount concern. Environmental issues are at the end of their list …if on their list at all. Despite a difficult demographic, Bioreserve programs are making a difference. It is hard, slow work but these folks, especially their children, are learning the value of a clean and aesthetically pleasing environment, that we all need, that provides clean air, water, wildlife, scenic landscapes and opportunities for healthy passive outdoor recreation. The Bioreserve is fulfilling its mission.
The Mission of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve is to protect, restore, and enhance the biological diversity and ecological integrity of a large-scale ecosystem with diverse natural communities representative of the region; to promote sustainable natural resource management; to permanently protect public water supplies and cultural resources; to offer interpretive and educational programs communicating the value and significance of the Bioreserve; and to provide opportunities for appropriate recreational use and enjoyment of this natural environment.
What is terribly disappointing is DCR’s almost complete denial that there is a major problem. The portion of the state forest, between Route 24, Innovation Way, Upper Ledge Road, Copicut Road and Bell Rock Road is impoverished, neglected and troubled. It is the “slum” of the Bioreserve. It is like a drug and crime ridden neighborhood surrounded by a clean, attractive and thriving residential community.
We and most of the Bioreserve Partners avoid that area of the forest when conducting programs and walks. We would gladly organize another ledge area clean-up if the gates were secured, illegal access blocked, dirt-bike trail re-routed away from sensitive areas and off steep slopes, dirt-bike parking lot relocated to the headquarters area and rules and regulations strictly enforced.
The time, effort and manpower DCR has squandered on ill-conceived timber extraction plans, just this year alone, would have gone a long way and been better spent on responsibly repairing the damage caused by illegal dirt-bikers on the hill above Rattlesnake Brook, restoring the section of the brook impacted by that illegal activity and addressing present OHV issues that are destroying the land in the Rattlesnake Brook valley …and the Freetown State Forest.
Almost 20 years and we have the same problems. Shame on DCR!
Here are a few photos of illegal OHV activity eroding away a hill in the Freetown State Forest.
WILL MUSHROOMS SAVE US? - Maybe if we save and expand our old growth forests.
Until fairly recently one was either an animal or a plant. Biologists classified and placed mushrooms and other fungi in the plant kingdom. Not anymore!
Present day analysis of the evolutionary history of fungi and genetic studies show that fungi share a larger portion of their genes with animals than they do with plants.
Plants use sunlight to fuel photosynthesis to produce their own food, but animals and fungi cannot produce their own food. The exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi are composed of chitin; the structural material in plants is cellulose.
Apparently mushrooms are almost family members. Must vegans now avoid mushrooms? What do you think?
One of our environmental friends recently emailed us this YouTube video on how mushrooms can save the world. Check it out, herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNRFxmfQNbo
FUKUSHIMA IN OUR FUTURE?
Last month’s newsletter had an article on old, antiquated Pilgrim I, which has the same reactor design as the damaged Fukushima facility. Here’s the article from our newsletter: http://www.greenfutures.org/?content=udIqNO0cOhFdHSIm
A newsletter subscriber just emailed us this link. We’ll share it. Here it is -http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/20116-chernobyl-was-transparent-compared-to-fukushima-harvey-wasserman-on-the-ongoing-crisis
BIORESERVE FAUNA OF THE MONTH – Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Hiking along summertime trails and woods roads in the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve (SMB) the spicebush swallowtail is the most common large butterfly you will see.
The spicebush swallowtail is named after the spicebush shrub. Spicebush is the favorite host plant for the caterpillar stage of this butterfly.
These butterflies fly along woods roads, hiking paths and forest edges and often land near mud puddles and other damp areas where they drink and absorb minerals and nutrients that they need for good health and that nectar alone doesn’t provide.
Spicebush swallowtails have a wing span of 3 to 4 inches. They are mostly black in color with their forewings having white spots along the margins. The hindwing is black with an orange spot on the lower margin. Males have a blue-green patch on the upper surface of their hindwings. The female color patch is blue-purple.
Butterflies are cold-blooded creatures. The dark color of these butterflies allows them to quickly absorb heat from the sun making it possible for them to live in dark forests where lighter colored butterflies would not be able to survive.
Spicebush swallowtails range from extreme southwest Quebec to Florida and west to eastern Texas, then northeast to southern Ontario. Quite naturally, this is the same range as that of the spicebush shrub, this month’s “Bioreserve Flora of the Month.”
Unlike our other local swallowtail species, spicebush swallowtails fly low to the ground and are easily observed. They have two generations in our area and can be found on the wing from late April through October.
Black Swallowtail males patrol a home territory and pursue and drive off any males that may enter. Females cruise these territories seeking a compatible male. Males home in on a receptive female by the pheromones she gives off and on approach the male performs an elaborate aerial dance for his intended mate. If she’s suitably impressed, they mate.
In the SMB, shortly after mating, females lay pale green eggs, usually singly, on the underside of spicebush and sassafras leaves.
The eggs hatch in a few days and the tiny caterpillars eat the softer edges of the leaf until they encounter the leaf’s mid-rib. The caterpillar then exudes silk from a modified salivary gland which binds the remaining leaf over forming a tiny shelter. Spicebush caterpillars are nocturnal feeders spending the daylight hours resting in their folded leaf shelter.
Photo – Hagerty Ryan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
As hatchlings spicebush caterpillars are brown. As they grow they turn a beautiful shade of green with small blue dots down the back and large yellow “eyespots” in front.
The eyespots are quite realistic looking, giving the caterpillar a fierce snake-like appearance when it rears-up displaying the eyespots to scare away small predatory birds and mammals. If not deterred by the false eyes, predators next have to get past a foul smelling odor that these caterpillars secrete from their osmeterium, an orange colored forked organ that is normally internal but can be made to extend outside the caterpillars head, resembling a snake’s tongue, when the caterpillar is stressed.
When the caterpillar is fully grown and ready to transform into a butterfly it changes from green to orange and leaves its leafy shelter and finds a large, healthy leaf or twig and attaches itself to the object it has chosen with a silk thread. It winds this thread about itself and then sheds its skin and pupates as a chrysalis. The chrysalis is at first yellow-orange and slowly changes to green or brown mimicking a small leaf hanging on a twig. If summer, the butterfly emerges in twelve days to two weeks. If fall, the butterfly will overwinter as a chrysalis and emerge the following spring.
In the SMB the spicebush swallowtails dine on nectar from the blossoms of laurel, azalea, thistle, Joe Pye weed, touch-me-not, cardinal flower, milkweed and sweet pepperbush.
Unlike bitter monarch butterflies the spicebush butterflies have many predators. Praying mantises, large dragonflies, spiders, many insect eating forest birds and shrews, voles and mice will eat the adults and the chrysalises.
BIORESERVE FLORA OF THE MONTH – Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
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The spicebush is an aromatic, deciduous shrub found growing from damp soil along the edges of wooded swamps and bogs under light shade on the edge of the forest canopy.
Spicebush grows up to 12 feet tall. Leaves average 3 inches long and 2 inches across and are oval and broadest just beyond the middle of the leaf. They are alternately arranged on the shrub stems and are smooth, green and shiny. When bruised the leaves are very aromatic. In October spicebush leaves turn bright yellow.
In early spring, March, spicebush begins to bloom. The flowers appear first, in tiny yellow clusters, well before the leaves.
The fruit is a bright, red colored drupe (a fleshy fruit that contains a stone containing a seed). The spicebush drupes are even more aromatic than the leaves and were used as a substitute for allspice when that tropical spice was not available. The drupes, leaves and twigs can be brewed as tea.
The range of the spicebush is the same as the range of the spicebush swallowtail, see above, this month’s “Bioreserve Fauna of the Month.”
Like the American Holly, http://www.greenfutures.org/?content=abTgYEbx0fU4Q5aG, the spicebush is dioecious, some shrubs male, some female. Pollination is accomplished by small forest bees, wasps and flies.
The spicebush is the favorite food plant for two of our most attractive forest insects: the spicebush swallowtail butterfly and the large and beautiful promethea moth a member of the Saturniidae. To read about another SMB Saturniidae, go here: http://www.greenfutures.org/?content=NcysuM6MLenN3QmV
Spicebush drupes are eaten by humans, raccoons, opossums, mice and other smaller forest mammals. Since the drupes remain on the shrubs during the winter, they are eaten by many wintering birds such as robins, sparrows, thrushes, catbirds and ruffed grouse.
The Taunton Heritage River Guide
Our publication of our own Al Lima's Taunton Heritage River Guide - A Guide to the Appreciation of the Taunton River at Fall River, is in the process of becoming a permanent part of our website. Each month another chapter will be put up for your education and enjoyment.
Please go to Current Projects and click on Taunton Heritage River Guide to read the introduction. At the bottom of the page you will see a link to Chapter 1 - Ecology of the Taunton River. In January, we will put up Chapter 2 - a chapter a month until the Guide is complete.
Learn about your beautiful local river and its history - read our Guide this winter!
CALIFORINIA DREAMIN’ ON SUCH A WINTERS DAY – No way!
Although December brings winter, all the leaves are not brown and the sky is only grey sometimes. So many people complain when winter makes its appearance.
Wrong approach …instead embrace winter as another unique season here in New England. Get active and engaged and before you know it …it will be spring and you’ll be lamenting the fact winter is leaving.
Many of the same activities of summer, spring and fall one can also be engaged in all winter long. Dress appropriately and take a hike, cross-country ski, ice skate, ride your bike, go fishing, buy field guides and identify winter trees, birds, tracks in the snow, build an igloo …someone did last winter in the Bioreserve.
For activities that might be of interest, click on our Calendar.
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