Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Habitat restoration project continues at Joseph Davis State Park

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Jul 22nd 2013 07:00 am

Buffalo Audubon will continue a landmark habitat restoration project at Joseph Davis State Park in Lewiston throughout the summer. Supported by more than $350,000 in grand funds from federal programs and national funders, this work will provide high-quality habitat for resident and neo-tropical migratory birds.

This project will:

•Enhance and protect approximately 130 acres of critical shrubland and wetland bird habitat along the lower Niagara River corridor, and restore sensitive bird habitat that further improve the ability of the corridor to attract resident and migratory bird populations;

•Enhance and perpetuate the site as a bird conservation area by providing habitats for breeding, shelter, migration and sustenance of resident and neo-tropical migratory wild bird populations;

•Implement an invasive species control and management plan based on site surveys and mapping;

•Benefit priority bird species by improving forested wetland, shrub-wetland and shrub-early successional habitats.

The first phase of the project involves the removal of invasive plant species, including bush honeysuckle, common reed (Phragmites), common buckthorn, and multiflora rose, along with the selective removal of younger trees to promote the development of valuable shrub habitat.

Invasive species, such as bush honeysuckle, provide low-quality habitat for birds. As fields turn into forests, important grassland and shrub habitat is lost. Subsequent work will plant native shrubs and grasses in order to provide high-quality food, nest sites and habitat for birds.

Work on this project has been on hold since June 1, to correspond with the primary breeding season of shrubland bird species. Neighbors, visitors, and community members should be aware that, beginning on July 23, work will resume with the continued removal of invasive species from large areas within the eastern portion of the park.

The Buffalo Audubon Society promotes the appreciation and enjoyment of the natural world through education and stewardship. Founded in 1909, the society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society and represents more than 3,000 members from across Western New York.

Hometown News

View All News