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QUARRY SHORELINE RESTORATIONat the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area
© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPTABLE OF CONTENTSPROJECT OVERVIEW………………………………...………... 3APPENDIX …….………………………………………………….10TFCA OVERVIEW ..…………………………….…………..……15QUARRIE SHORELINE RESTORATIONat the Heritage Quarries Recreation AreaPUBLISHED MAY 20242
PROJECT OVERVIEWQuarry Shoreline Restoration at theHeritage Quarries Recreation Area© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPTitle photo – Great blue heron
PROJECT OVERVIEWSTAPLE OF THE QUARRIESThe quarry shorelines are a form of shoreline habitat unique to the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area (HQRA). Dolomite limestone mining operations occurred in the area from 1850-1900. After the site’s disuse, the quarry pits flooded with groundwater, becoming the lakes seen today. As such, the shoreline habitats throughout the HQRA are relatively young. Soil composition is heavily affected by fragmented dolomite limestone spoils littering the shorelines. Existing soil is shallow with patches of exposed limestone. Many of the shorelines have sharp drop offs due to the quarry structures. Accessible quarry shorelines are heavily utilized by the public for fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreational activities. Unfortunately, these usable sections encompass a minimal portion of the overall existing shoreline space due to overgrowth.- In naturally occurring shorelines, vegetative growth develops on the edges of water bodies. Plants include various species of cattails, reeds, and grasses.- Wide varieties of wildlife live in and around shoreline habitats. Common examples include beavers, ducks, herons, snails, frogs, turtles, and young fish. Killdeer have been sighted nesting for the first-time in decades on cleared shorelines at the HQRA (pictured on the left).- Organic matter that is washed onto shore, or "wrack," is an important component of shoreline ecosystems, providing habitat for invertebrates, soil and organic matter, and nutrients to both the upland terrestrial communities and aquatic ecosystem.WHAT ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF SHORELINE HABITATS?4© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPQuarry shelf – before restorationQuarry shelf – after restorationPROJECT OVERVIEW
WHERE IN THE HQRAShoreline habitats can form on the border of any water body assuming conditions are adequate. The HQRA quarry shorelines border the various quarry lakes found throughout the site (Consumers Quarry, The Forge Quarry, Great Lakes Quarries, Icebox Quarry, and Krueger Quarry).PROJECT OVERVIEW5© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFP
WHY RESTORE THE SHORELINESThe quarry shorelines are overrun with invasive honeysuckle, tree-of-heaven, and buckthorn encompassing the majority of vegetation. These plants form dense thickets that shade out smaller plants and hinders both animal and human access to the space. Piles of limestone spoils and sections of exposed limestone make it difficult for native plant life to establish. Cattails and common reeds have overgrown certain regions, reducing biodiversity and valuable plant coverage in the shallows. Fish and other animals require an adequate amount of plant coverage on the shorelines to spawn, develop, and feed in. Installation of nesting structures, perching poles, and fish spawning cover would benefit wildlife due to the lack of a conventional shoreline structure.Human use at the quarry shorelines primarily involves fishing and boating. Access to the shoreline is substantially limited due to overgrown invasive plants. This decreases fishing opportunities and worsens visitor experiences.It is critical that visitors have natural and sustainable access to the waters at the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area. Not only does it improve experiences, but it prevents the formation of destructive “desire paths.” Desire paths can result in serious damages to plants and landscapes. Erosion is expedited when people frequently traverse loose soils and destroy and uproot plants without proper management strategies. While many of those plants are invasive, a targeted approach is still required to minimize unintended consequences.HOW DO PEOPLE USE THE SHORELINES?PROJECT OVERVIEW6© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPNorth American beaver
7© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPPROJECT OVERVIEWINVASIVE PLANT CONTROLRESEED AND PLUG PLANTPRESCRIBED BURNSSTEWARDSHIPv Opens space for the planting and propagation of beneficial plantsv Decreases competition over valuable water and nutrients v Reduces likelihood of invasive plant spread to other areasv Provides a healthy and beautiful natural environment the community will appreciate and supportv Supports the local ecosystem as native plant populations recoverv Matured plants provide food and shelter for various wildlifev Protects against erosionv Clears dead stems and leaves of grassy plants without killing rootsv Stimulates local ecosystem by recycling nutrients and maintaining ground ‘openness’v Provides needed support for the developing ecosystemv Helps immature plants compete with invasive plants and weedsv Demonstrates a community example that will inspire future stewardsWHAT DO WE NEED?
8© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPPROJECT OVERVIEW10-YEAR BUDGETTFCA will hire and oversee licensed contractor to complete all shoreline restoration. Work will consist of invasive woody removal, woody re-sprout control, herbaceous invasive control, native seeding, native plant installation, prescribed fire, and stewardship. Cost estimates were provided by our environmental consultant, Stantec, and include administrative or operational costs. An additional timeline is provided in the appendix (page 12).Task Task Frequency Est Total Cost DescriptionInvasive Woody Removal1 / year * 2(Winter)$56,500Removal of invasive woody species (buckthorn, honeysuckle, tree-of-heaven, and multiflora rose are prime candidates). Requires cutting and herbicide treatment.Woody Re-sprout Control1 / year * 5(Spring / Summer)$36,500Follow up treatment of removed woody plants. Required to manage invasive resprouts and root suckers.Herbaceous Invasive Control1 / year * 5(Spring / Summer)$24,000Removal of herbaceous invasive species (garlic mustard, burdock, other plants as identified).Native Seeding1 / year * 3(Spring year 2, Winter years 3, 5)$6,500Seeding of native plants to establish restored native ecosystem. Requires ample removal of invasive species prior to seeding.Native Plant Installation (3,000 plants)1 / year * 1(Spring year 4)$12,500Plug planting of native plants to further establish restored native ecosystem. Requires ample removal of invasive species prior to introduction.Prescribed Fire1 / year * 2(Winter years 3, 5)$16,500Controlled burning of area to remove dead grasses, brush, and other detritus and open the landscape. Added benefit of returning nutrients to soil.Stewardship (years 5-10)1 / year * 5(Varies, year 5+)$31,000Long term stewardship to maintain and support restored ecosystem via weeding, further invasive plant control, pruning, and other upkeep.TOTAL: 10 years$183,500
State endangered species: black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFP9
APPENDIX© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPTitle photo – Foxglove penstemon
11© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPCURRENT STATUSAll 9 acres of quarry shorelines are in dire need of invasive species removal. Honeysuckle and tree-of-heaven compose most observed plant species. Buckthorn, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, and burdock are other species of concern. Removing these woody plants will require cutting and targeted herbicide treatment. Immature trees may be able to be removed by hand, but the majority of the invasive trees have matured enough to prevent such removal. It will likely take multiple growing seasons before significant effects will display. Area descriptionRecommended Seeding ApproachAdequate soilPlug-planting, seedingExposed limestone, no soilSpecialized seed mix; native seeds that can withstand fluctuating hydrology and harsh, dry conditionsBouteloua curtipendulaCarex granularisDeschampsia cespitosaElymus canadensisSchizachyrium scopariumSorghastrum nutansSporobulus heterolepsisSide Oats Grama Limestone Meadow Sedge Tufted-hair GrassCanada Wild RyeLittle BluestemIndian GrassPrairie DropseedAllium cernuum Amorpha canescens Asclepias verticillata Brickellia eupatorioides Dalea candidaDalea purpurea Echinacea pallida Nodding OnionLeadplantWhorled Milkweed False BonesetWhite Prairie Clover Purple Prairie Clover Pale Purple ConeflowerGrasses and Sedges Forbs**This is not a comprehensive list; additional recommendations are noted on a separate tableLeadplantNarrow-leaved vervainAPPENDIX
The quarry shorelines will be deemed as ‘successfully restored’ once invasive plant populations have been removed and controlled, and native plant species have been reintroduced and reestablished in the ecosystem. True success will be achieved when other wildlife (such as birds, fish, and amphibians) returns to the area. The installation of supporting infrastructure (nesting boxes, perching platforms, and fish spawn cover) will support this. A significant draw to the area is the fishing; we anticipate improved experiences. Community feedback will be considered throughout.12© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPRESTORATION TIMELINEInvasive honeysuckleInvasive tree-of-heavenLimestone spoilsAPPENDIX
13© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPFULL PLANT LIST FOR RESEEDINGSky blue asterNodding onionAPPENDIX
© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFP14Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)
OUR VALUESThe Outdoors MatterWe believe the outdoors is an integral part of the human experience that enriches and enlivens us. Our commitment to protecting the natural landscape is uncompromising, and we are committed to enhancing, preserving, and sharing naturally beautiful outdoor experiences with our neighbors for generations to come.Well-being is a Lifestyle to be Enjoyed by EveryoneWell-being is not just a jog around the block. Well-being is a mental and physical journey that fluctuates and changes daily. We are dedicated to crafting spaces that enable this life-long mental and physical journey. Moreover, we are committed to providing access and opportunity to enjoy nature to people of all ages and abilities.Conservation Goes Beyond the LandWe are committed to preserving history and restoring the natural landscape of the locations we choose to support for generations to come. This promise fuels our operating strategy and is fundamental to our mission.The Forge Charitable Adventures exists to help IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES by RESTORING and PRESERVING NATURE, PROMOTING ACTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, and PROVIDING ACCESS TO OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND RECREATION to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.15© The Forge Charitable Adventures, NFPEstablished in 2019 by Jeremie Bacon, Chris Gladwin, Bart Loethen, and Jeanette Virgilio, The Forge Charitable Adventures (TFCA) is a unique environment-focused non-profit serving a dual mission to: 1) protect, restore, and re-invigorate natural ecosystems that have been degraded by overuse and under investment, while 2) partnering with local governments, stakeholders, and companies to develop outdoor education and recreation resources that can be enjoyed and maintained in cooperation with their residents.As a long-term focused, conservation-minded organization, we seek to produce and promote impactful programs that help TFCA achieve:v Significant impact by engaging our local communities in conservation and personal health & wellness effortsv A respected presence as a devoted caretaker in the places we servev Long-lasting partnerships with communities, companies, and individualsv Enlightened communities where conservation, restoration, and wellness are cherished as core valuesOur vision is a future where people of all ages, abilities, and economic circumstances can freely enjoy authentic outdoor experiences while learning to respect the diversity of life and developing an appreciation for conserving the scarce resources and fragile ecosystems required to support it.We accomplish our mission by identifying projects and raising funds from private and public sources to execute them. We consider ourselves successful when we are able to:v Restore and protect natural areas that jointly serve as wildlife habitats and places where people can enjoy nature foreverv Establish and nurture public and private partnerships that accelerate the pace of land preservation for the enrichment of allv Deliver social benefits in the form of clean and healthy forests, streams, wetlands and lakesv Provide people with opportunities to understand and embrace conservation, and act to preserve the environment
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