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April 2016 -Milkweed, Northern Water Snake, Mosquitos

WELCOME TO GREEN FUTURES !
APRIL, 2016

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing.”

- Abraham Lincoln




 

“It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” 

- Mark Twain

 

 

INCOMING STUFF OF INTEREST FROM READERS

Kudos to MassWildlife for a plan to restore another Massachusetts native. Unfortunately they've encountered some opposition from a few people suffering from ophidiophobia. Do you think that if Satan in the Garden of Eden had appeared to Eve as a panda or maybe a furry kitten, instead of as a snake, this planned restoration would be less controversial? 

http://www.telegram.com/article/20160314/NEWS/160319488

 

An arborist and his goat working to save the endangered American Elm.http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/nature_conservancy_works_to_re.html

 

Stop Kinder Morgan! http://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/local_news/baker-pressured-to-block-pipeline-surveys/article_004f8d0a-381e-59c1-b44c-df510bf71c36.html

 

From the Greenfield Recorder. “The pipeline company asserts that its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval for its Berkshire County route supersedes the state’s constitutional protection of conservation land there.” Abolish FERC now!http://www.recorder.com/News/Local/Pipeline-lawsuit-called--aggressive---precedent-setting-945879

 

Hunting giant trees. http://www.wsj.com/articles/big-tree-hunters-battle-to-topple-records-of-forest-titans-1458250860

 

Wood turtles once lived in the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. Let's bring them back.http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2016/wood-turtle-03-16-2016.html

 

 

From the Sierra Club on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. http://sierra.force.com/actions/National?actionId=AR0024837&id=70131000001MBDwAAO&data=4de9fd376003e1f2b2b0f567c7f03c91164f12b3f8bf488ffba529d9a3d1ff4d24

 

Took 11 years to stop the joint Hess/Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) attack on the Taunton River. Hess just sold the site. This most be watched closely. The new owner comes with “major baggage.” You can read about the sale here: http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20160316/NEWS/160316702/0/breaking_ajax

 

 

 

 

DON'T FEAR THE MOSQUITO – You are considerably larger and hopefully smarter (Part 3)


Photo – Ochlerotatus japonicus, US CDC, James Gathany

 

In Massachusetts there are 51 mosquito species. Fewer than ten of those species are of concern as carriers of the two diseases that keep some of us out of the woods. West Nile virus is an alien virus originally native to Uganda and has, thanks to air travel, spread around the world. It has only been in our little corner of the planet for the past sixteen years.

West Nile virus symptoms are flu-like and in most cases mild. Some individuals after exposure to the virus show no symptoms at all. Unless one is elderly, a young child, or someone with a compromised immune system recovery from the virus is usually rapid and complete.

The other local mosquito-borne disease is eastern equine encephalitis, often called EEE or Triple E. This is a dangerous virus. Unlike West Nile virus EEE is native. You don't want it.

The good news is that both are extremely rare diseases. You could run bare-naked through the woods all summer long and probably not fall victim to either of these mosquito viruses. To keep things in perspective, Massachusetts has a population of close to 8 million people, yet fewer than 100 cases of EEE have been confirmed in humans over the past 75 years, fewer than half of those have been fatal.

Even though it's highly unlikely you'll contract either of these diseases, someone will. The smart thing to do is to use mosquito repellent when outdoors in the woods. No one likes mosquitoes, but they are here to stay and they are an important food source for some bird and bat species, certain frogs and small fish, and many predacious insects such as our beautiful dragonflies and damselflies. 

 

Take simple precautions and mosquitoes will leave you alone. DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) repellent was developed by the Army in 1944 specifically to repel disease carrying mosquitoes in tropical forest environments. DEET is still being used today because it is effective and safe when used on exposed skin to repel mosquitoes, ticks and other lesser biting insects. Repellents containing at least 25 to 30% DEET keep mosquitoes at bay for at least a few hours. One application of 100% DEET has kept us mosquito free for up to 6 hours in a possibly virus carrying mosquito's favorite place, white cedar bogs and red maple swamps.

 

Obviously you don't want to slather any chemical, DEET included, all over your body. Use it on exposed skin only. When used as directed DEET has been found by the American Academy of Pediatrics to be safe for use on adults and children older than two months of age. DEET has been classified by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency as “not classifiable as a human carcinogen.”

 

So, when going for a walk in the forest or by the seashore use DEET. When you get home after your outdoor activity, simply shower and wash it off.

 

Although DEET is the most effective repellent, some people refuse to use it because of its odor, oily feeling or that it can dissolve some plastics and synthetic fabrics. For those that object to the odor, there is a low odor DEET formulation available. With less of an odor than DEET ...and less of an oily feel ...is a more recently developed repellent called icaridin or picaridin.

 

Like DEET, icaridin is applied to exposed skin. It can also be applied to synthetic fabrics and will not harm items made of plastic. Also like DEET it repels ticks as well as mosquitoes.

Icaridin has been on the market in the United States since 2005. Government studies have shown that icaridin is effective and safe. A relative newcomer, in comparison to long-studied DEET, long-term health risks, if any, have yet to be determined. 

 

There are a whole bunch of other mosquito repellents on the market of varying efficacy, but none as effective as DEET and icaridin when it is important that all incoming mosquitoes be repelled.

 

Finally, clothing can offer additional protection against mosquitoes if it is tightly woven and thick enough to prevent a mosquito from penetrating it with her proboscis ...only females drink blood ...to reach your skin below. One can also buy repellent treated clothing ...or more simply and cheaply apply repellent yourself to clothing reserved for your outdoor activities. 

 

 

NOTIFY THOSE RESPONSIBLE – Contact information

If you read our monthly newsletter somewhat regularly you know that we have been trying for the past three and a half years to get the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to repair damage, that occurred due to their negligence, in the Freetown State Forest section of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.

The excuse we hear from DCR is that they can't repair the damage or do much to maintain the forest because they are underfunded and understaffed. That may be true, they may be underfunded and understaffed, but there are remedies and creative solutions available at minimal cost and requiring little in the way of manpower that they could implement. It is especially galling when we see this “underfunded” environmental state agency spend millions on pet projects yet ignore repairing damage they've allowed to occur.

Here is their mission statement that sounds good, but they do not follow: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Mission Statement

 

DCR Mission

To protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

In meeting today's responsibilities and planning for tomorrow, DCR's focus is on:

  • Improving outdoor recreational opportunities and natural resource conservation

  • Restoring and improving our facilities

  • Expanding public involvement in carrying out DCR's mission, and

  • Establishing first-rate management systems and practices.

The health and happiness of people across Massachusetts depend on the accessibility and quality of our green infrastructure - our natural resources, recreational facilities, and great historic landscapes. The DCR continues to improve the vital connection between people and the environment for the well being of all.

 

We often get calls and emails from folks recreating out in the state forest or from hikers and others that report trash dumping, spray paint vandalism, severe erosion, gates cut open, abandoned boats, illegal tree cutting, dirt bike riding outside their season or riding in season but not on their “official” trail, etc., etc.

 

Telling us doesn't do much good because we are not in charge. Let's all go right to DCR and tell them. 

 

When reporting harmful and/or illegal conduct, etc. it is important to know where you saw the problem. If you don't have a “Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve Trail Map and Guide” you can get one at the following locations: 

Freetown State Forest Headquarters, 110 Slab Bridge Road, Assonet, Freetown, MA; Watuppa Watershed Office, 2929 Blossom Road, Fall River, MA; 

The Trustees, Westport Town Farm, 830 Drift Road, Westport, MA; 

City of Fall River Water Department, 1 Government Center, Fall River, MA.

 

Armed with your map out in the forest, here are a few photo examples of some of the things you might see and report.

Forest gates should be locked closed or locked opened. Watch for gates that have been sprung or cut open and gates with pins and locks missing. 

Trash dumped by the side of forest roads, forest parking areas, or dumped in the woods.

Erosion caused by dirt bikes and ATVs and motorized vehicles on electric powerline and gas pipeline easements and unregistered dirt bikes on forest roads.

People cutting illegal trails, cutting firewood, lighting fires.

Poaching wildlife, target shooting, spray paint vandalism 

Illegal camping. Overnight camping is not allowed.

Here's who to contact:

In a serious emergency situation where you've broken a leg, found someone injured in the woods, chased by a deranged hiker, etc. ...just like in any emergency situation anywhere else, on your cell phone dial 911. The State Police will answer your call. Note that some sections in the vicinity of Copicut Hill lack cell service.

For damaged gates, erosion, trash, etc. call the Freetown State Forest at 508-644-5522 or email at freetown.forest@state.ma.us. Also copy the person in charge of DCR, the fellow who doesn’t answer his mail, Secretary Matthew Beaton, matthew.beaton@state.ma.us.

If you see illegal motorized activity, target practice, someone shoot a deer, turkey, etc. in July or out of hunting season, call the Massachusetts Environmental Police (EPO) 24 hour dispatch 1-800-632-8075. Also email that illegal activity report to their boss too, Secretary Matthew Beaton, matthew.beaton@state.ma.us

According to their mission statement the MA EPOs are supposed to, “protect the environment and natural resources of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through enforcement, education, and public outreach. The Office is further charged with protecting the health, safety, and individual rights of the public and preserving our environment for future generations.”

Let's see if they do.

 

BIORESERVE FAUNA OF THE MONTH – Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)

New England's lengthy winter season limits our cold-blooded reptilian fauna. Locally, our Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve (SMB) is home to only a half dozen hardy snake species. In comparison, semi-tropical Florida hosts 44 species.

One of our most impressive species is the Northern water snake. Though not a particularly long snake it has a thick and chunky body, large head and a mouth full of sharp, recurved teeth to grab and hold slimy, squirming fish. Grab one and it will readily grab you back.

Females are larger than males and an old female may reach 4 feet in length. Although most snake species lay eggs, water snakes are viviparous, bringing forth live young. A large female northern water snake when about to give birth is an impressive reptile.

Young northern water snakes are attractively patterned with cross bands of deep red to brown-black alternating with gray. Their undersides are white edged with red with, more or less, random black markings. As these snakes age their colors darken and patterns fade although when wet the old patterning can still be discerned. Fully mature northern water snakes are a dull brown or black on back and sides. Their undersides retain most of the white and red markings of their youth. 

As their name implies, these snakes spend most of their time in the water or basking in the sun while draped over driftwood or shoreline rocks. In the SMB they may be encountered in any brook and pond. Older specimens usually flee on approach, younger water snakes may be curious and rise up a few inches to try to determine if you are friend or foe.

This common and wide ranging species can be found from southern Ontario to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Mississippi River east to the Atlantic. They are absent from Florida and the coastal areas of South Carolina and Georgia.

In southern New England many people erroneously call these snakes “moccasins” and kill them on sight. If you're one of those people, don't do that. The northern water snake is not venomous, is not a “moccasin.” The true water or cottonmouth moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) is venomous but doesn't get any closer to New England than extreme southeast Virginia.

Northern water snakes feed mostly on fish and frogs, but will also eat other snakes, mice, ducklings and other similar sized prey. They, in turn, are preyed upon, especially when young, by snapping turtles, largemouth bass, pickerel and other predatory fish. Herons, cranes, egrets, raccoons, mink, fox and coyotes will also eat them. Mature water snakes are preyed upon by bald eagles and other large raptors.


Photo – Matthew.M.Hayes Wikimedia Commons


BIORESERVE FLORA OF THE MONTH – Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) 

 

Common milkweed used to be common. It is not so common now. At one time it grew abundantly along sides of roads and highways, in farmland hedgerows and waste areas and even in inner city vacant lots. Unfortunately for the milkweed and the beautiful and amazing monarch butterfly that is dependent on milkweed as food, milkweed has been herbicided out of agriculture areas, mowed off our highway medians and edges and supplanted on vacant lots and woodland edges by alien invasive species.

Milkweed can be found from the Great Plains east to the Atlantic coast and from southern Canada south to eastern Texas and Oklahoma to Georgia.

Milkweed is perennial, springing up every spring from thick underground rhizomes. Milkweed will grow well in almost any soil type. In fertile soil and full sun it may reach 5 feet in height. The milkweed stem bears green opposite leaves, broadly oval, 3 to 9 inches in length, smooth on top and lightly fuzzy on the bottom.

Through the summer milkweeds bear many fragrant, nectar filled, pinkish blossoms clustered in 3 to 4 inch umbels. Once pollinated by a host of bees, butterflies and other nectar loving insects green pods form filled with brown seeds each seed equipped with a white, silky “parachute” that, when the wind blows, disperses the seeds across the countryside. 

All parts of common milkweed contain a thick, white ...hence the name “milkweed” ...latex based sap that contains poisonous glycosides and is bitter tasting to insectivorous birds and small mammals. 

There are some insects, though, that are immune to the poisonous effects of the milkweed glycosides and these species depend on milkweed as a food source. The most famous of these is the monarch butterfly caterpillars.Others insects also feed on milkweed foliage. Milkweed are attractive to many insect species, including the large milkweed bug, common milkweed bug, red milkweed beetle, blue including milkweed weevils, milkweed aphids, leaf beetles and stem borers.

There are dozens of species of milkweed in North America. Common (syriaca) milkweed, especially in New England, is the species monarch butterflies prefer over all others. 

Due to the precipitous decline in monarch butterfly numbers the species has been proposed for listing on the U. S. Endangered Species List. That decision should be made shortly. 

Many folks concerned about monarch butterflies are creating butterfly gardens by planting milkweeds and other nectar producing plants. Monarch Watch tells you how to do that here: http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/

The summer months of July, August and early September are when female monarchs deposit one tiny green egg at a time on the underside of fresh and tender milkweed leaves. 

Easy to identify the common milkweed is popular with wild food foragers. The young shoots, unopened flower buds and young seed pods are edible after some preparation. Euell Gibbons' book “Stalking the Wild Asparagus” devotes a chapter to the esculent qualities of milkweed. One can also find information online about identifying milkweed, milkweed parts to pick and recipes for cooking the milkweed you've gathered. 

Please keep in mind that the monarchs need milkweed in their diet more than you do. If you want to try some milkweed, only gather responsibly from milkweed patches that contain hundreds of plants. Take only what you need for a meal, do not over-harvest. 


Photo – Courtesy Wikimedia Commons


 

APRIL WELCOMES SPRING – Don't be April foolish and miss it

No more winter snow and ice, windy March is in the rearview mirror. Click on our calendar,here, for things environmental. 

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