November 13, 2007 - Greenleaf Restoration and TNC meeting with Sally Harold
















The NFA is proud to announce the success of additional measures it has taken this past summer to ensure the long-term preservation of the
Greenleaf Farms Wildlife Preserve (“Greenleaf Preserve”).  

The NFA has been continually monitoring the Greenleaf Preserve (as well as all our properties), and as time passes, we evaluate the
sufficiency of the existing stewardship practices.  Sometimes it is necessary to modify those practices based on changing circumstances,
conditions and industry "best management practices".  These changes are done solely to improve the quality of the protection that we provide
in managing the properties that have been donated to us.  Over the years, more than 100 parcels totaling over 1000 acres have been donated
to the NFA.  The monitoring and protection of these donated properties is a continual process that the NFA considers to be one of its most
significant responsibilities.

In 2004 we made attempts to improve existing grazing practices at the Greenleaf Preserve by requesting that a minimum buffer of 25 feet from
all watercourses be maintained and to permit the muddy portions of the grazing areas to be restored.  Unfortunately these efforts alone were
not robust enough to positively impact the preserves health.  The continued grazing led to further deterioration of the meadow areas and
watercourses.  Accordingly, the Board decided to prohibit grazing on this and all NFA properties.  Our ultimate decision to prohibit grazing was
deemed necessary for the long-term protection of this property as a "wildlife sanctuary", just as the donor intended and the deed stipulates.

Our efforts throughout this past summer were to restore the meadows, wetlands and riparian buffers damaged by the grazing and over
mowing in these sensitive areas.  Our goal was to enhance the biodiversity of plant and animal life and to establish a solid foundation for this
ecosystem. These stewardship practices were necessary to ensure sufficient protected nesting habitats for ground-nesting birds and other
wildlife, to encourage native plant species and for the remediation and preservation of the quality of the multiple water courses that traverse
the property. In addition, and following widely accepted best practices in both the land trust and herd management industries that suggest
minimum setbacks that exceed 75 feet from watershed areas and watercourses, we established a 100 ft setback from all these sensitive
areas.  Watershed areas directly contributing to a drinking water aquifers, such as here at Greenleaf, are deemed of greater sensitivity and
larger buffers help promote greater protection.

These actions we have taken in no way effect the Newtown Bridle Lands Trust easement on the property; just no grazing.  

Now for a little history, the Greenleaf Farms Wildlife Preserve was donated to the NFA in 1989 by Greenleaf Associates.  The property was
conveyed to be “…preserved and maintained as a wildlife sanctuary…” and specifically defined paths as “Bridle and Walking Trail Easements”
that cross the property.  As unconventional as it may sound and somewhat in contradiction to a sound practice for maintaining a healthy
wildlife sanctuary, the deed also requires the NFA to mow or hay the meadow twice yearly.  As a deeded wildlife sanctuary, we have a
responsibility to maintain and enhance these areas for all forms of wildlife, including birds, mammals and aquatic life and to increase the
sanctuary’s “educational and scientific” values.  

Under the updated stewardship plan for the property this summer we contracted to mow the areas that we have “staked-out” as “meadow”
after the ground nesting birds have raised their young and abandoned their nests.  This area will also be mowed again in December.  The
areas that have now been “staked-out” define the meadows and where the riparian buffer begins, the wetlands and watercourses.  Going
forward the mowing plan, as well as other stewardship practices, will be further modified as NFA continues to monitor the property.

This deed to the sanctuary also provides that if the NFA does not fulfill its stewardship responsibilities, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) would
become its owner.  We have shared our stewardship plans with TNC.  On November 13, 2007 Bob Eckenrode and Caraleigh Wilson from our
Board, met with Sally Harold, from the TNC, to walk the Greenleaf Preserve and to showcase the positive effects our stewardship plan has
had.  TNC’s interest and response to these plans have been positive and encouraging.  In addition, we have contributed to TNCs’ watercourse
data collection efforts in relation to the Aspetuck River Watershed the headwaters of which pass through the Greenleaf Preserve.

The NFA is pleased with the short-term results of its plan, however, this is a long-term, on going project and ultimate results have yet to be
realized.  In the end our efforts will result in a healthier environment for the wildlife and the natural resources on the Greenleaf Preserve.  
The NFA is honored to be the trustee of this property and we hope that our efforts live up to the expectations of the donors, to whom we are
eternally grateful.



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From Left to Right, Sally Harold
(TNC), Bob Eckenrode and
Caraleigh Wilson from the NFA
Board discuss the Greenleaf
restoration and plan.