Developing a management plan for a college nature preserve

Background/Question/Methods Our objective was to create a management plan for Marist College's 13-acre nature preserve in the mid-Hudson Valley, NY.  It is mostly wooded, with two ridges of Appalachian oak-hickory forest and a cove of hemlock-northern hardwood forest that also contains a creek, wetland and pond. The first order creek flows westerly, directly to the Hudson River.  The preserve's primary use is for education, e.g. introducing non-science and science students to the practice of natural history observation for field journals; elementary field experiments by students in introductory biology; and forest community measurements completed by students in ecology.  Occasionally it is used by students for class-related or independent research.  It is also used recreationally and athletically, e.g. walking and running.  The preserve is also valued for its role in protecting regional biodiversity, and in being part of the Hudson Valley Greenway along the shores of the Hudson River.

Conservation problems, e.g. erosion and invasive species, and activities incompatible with the primary uses catalyzed development of the plan. Its development serves multiple purposes, notably to provide an educational experience for a senior undergraduate environmental science & policy student to implement ecological, policy and management knowledge and skills.  It also has required seeking input from several campus stakeholders, to account for different needs and expectations of the campus community, balanced with widely-held principles for preserve management.  The result is a document that will be circulated and reviewed by the stakeholders, modified according to responses, and submitted for approval by college committees.
Results/Conclusions Once the plan is approved, it will provide guidance for preserve operations and maintenance.  It outlines a series of regular activities and special projects that will involve students in conservation, natural history and ecology. These include trail upkeep, sensitive habitat protection, invasive species control, species identification, vegetation mapping, tree & shrub nursery upkeep, transplanting, compost maintenance, and educational signage. These will create opportunities for students to apply ecological principles in the field, as experiential education.  Therefore, the educational purposes of the preserve will expand beyond the original ones, stated above.