IT IS TIME TO PRIORITIZE CONSERVATION IN THE MIDDLESEX FELLS RESERVATION

November 16, 2020

Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation

“Pressures on conservation land are many, and protected natural open space is a finite and precious public resource. The parks system that we have today in Massachusetts exists because of long-term public investments and protections, and because we collectively remember to take the long view.”

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Letter from Mass Audubon, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Appalachian Mountain Club, and The Trustees of Reservations, Dec. 3, 2018

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Recreation without conservation leads to degradation.

Golden Northern Bumble Bee, a vulnerable species.

Wood Thrush, a near threatened species.

Lions Foot, endangered plant in the Fells.

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With 1.8 million people living within ten miles, the Fells has become a popular place to get away, attracting thousands of visitors often unaware of their impact on sensitive habitats.��The Fells is unique in its ecological richness with many species of rare and endangered plants and wildlife—more even than documented in the 2012 DCR Resource Management Plan (RMP).

Most casual visitors to the Fells do not understand �the damage caused by seemingly innocent behavior or other environmental threats.

A “free riding” bike trail causes lasting damage. Off trail use of all types isolates animal populations, and interrupts movement.

Our dogs love running off leash. But they get into and disturb fragile ecosystems. They also disturb the quiet tranquility of other visitors.

Invasive plants such as Oriental bittersweet crowd out and kill native plants.

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75% of RMP priority actions were recreation oriented, with only 25% conservation oriented. And overall, there has been little progress.

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Based on our best estimate. See Appendix

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RECREATION

Partially completed actions

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RECREATION

Completed actions

CONSERVATION

Partially completed actions

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25%

25%

50%

It’s time for a conservation action plan for the Fells, and an implementation budget.

Immediate, stepped up enforcement of existing regulations with a monitoring protocol and communications regarding:

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• Off trail use by bicyclists and hikers.

• Off leash dogs and dog waste removal.

• Control and mitigate invasive species.

• Safeguard the priority natural �vegetation communities.

• Erase excess trails and encourage visitors to stay on trails.

• Support ecology research.

ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE ECOLOGY �OF THE FELLS

ACTIONS TO MODIFY �THE CULTURE OF NON-COMPLIANCE

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The 2012 RMP identifies only a portion of ecologically sensitive locations.

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The RMP Map of Zone 1 Protection¹ was explicit about excluding these important resources:

• Numerous watch-listed plants.
• Woodland vernal pools.
• Wildlife identified as “Species in Greatest Need of Conservation.”
• General flora and faunal diversity.

The Commonwealth's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program identifies far more areas in need of Zone 1 protection.

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1. Land Stewardship Zone 1s are identified for highly sensitive resources that require special management approaches and practices to protect and preserve their features and values (RMP, p. iii).

Legend

■ Zone 1

■ Zone 2

■ Zone 3

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Source: 2012 RMP

Conservation planning in the Fells will benefit from �the more complete data from the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, including BioMap2.

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Zone 1 protection would look like the map at the right if we include these areas:

• BioMap2 Core Habitat.
• BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape.
• Priority Habitat of Rare Species.
• Species of Conservation Concern.
• Vernal pools.

Numerous vernal pools in the northeast area should also receive Zone 1 protection.

See details on the next page.

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Legend

■ Zone 1

■ Zone 2

■ Zone 3

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Legend

■ Zone 1

■ Zone 2

■ Zone 3

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Source: Friends of the Fells‘ interpretation of MassWildlife data

These are the specific locations in need of protection.

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BioMap2 Core Habitat includes:

• All the Fells’ vernal pool clusters.
• Priority rare species habitats.
• Natural communities.
• Forest Core conservation targets covering most of the western Fells.
• Core Habitat Species of Conservation Concern covering the entire southern Fells.

BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscapes are large natural landscape blocks that:

• Maintain connectivity.
• Enhance ecological resilience.
• Ensure connectivity within the ecoregion.

Priority Habitat is based on the known geographical extent of habitat for all state-�listed rare species, both plants and animals, and is codified under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA).

Legend

■ BioMap2 Core Habitat�■ BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape

■ NHESP Priority Habitats of Rare Species

■ NHESP Estimated Habitats of Rare Wildlife

■ NHESP Natural Communities

■ Potential Vernal Pools �■ NHESP Certified Vernal Pools

Source: OLIVER MassGIS Mapping Data Layers

Friends of the Fells is a willing �and energetic partner.

We have a long history of bringing important resources to the Fells.

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• Raised money for Tudor Barn restoration.
• Advocated for funds for Wright’s Tower restoration.
• Citizen scientist conservation and research partner.
• Communication channel with thousands of visitors.
• Education and youth programs.
• Trail adopter and other work programs.
• Relationships with elected officials.

Recreation in harmony with nature was one of the reasons the Fells �was created, and it is important to the Friends of the Fells. But recreation without conservation will destroy this beloved resource.

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“We would be ungrateful to our prescient forbears if �we allow this invaluable and irreplaceable reserve to be over-run for short-term recreational pursuits.”

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Walter Kittredge, Botanist, Harvard University Herbaria.

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THANK YOU

Contact:

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Chris Redfern

chris.redfern@fells.org

781-662-2340

fells.org

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APPENDIX: Progress on 41 Priority �Recommendations from the RMP

This table represents our best estimate of progress and our characterization of recreation, conservation, or both.

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