Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

Presents:

2014 Hands-On Wetland Restoration Workshop

for Professionals

Part of the Long Pasture Wetland Restoration Project

Dates: June 24-25, 2014 Location: Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable, MA

Hosted by: Mass Audubon In collaboration with:

Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

Grassroots Wildlife Conservation USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Ask

about discounts for non-profits!

About the Workshop: Isolated wetlands provide vital habitat to many

species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Unfortunately, a majority of these ecosystems have been lost or degraded due to draining and filling throughout New England. These landscape modifications are now affecting recovery efforts for endangered species, reducing water quality, increasing flooding, and reducing ground water supplies. Fortunately, it’s now possible to restore these altered and degraded wetlands, re-establishing the hydro-periods, aquatic vegetation, and animal life that once existed. This hands-on workshop is designed for individuals interested in learning how to use practical, low cost techniques for restoring naturally appearing and functioning wetlands. Participants will see how wetland projects can be planned in land trust properties, private conserved lands, public land, and even on school grounds to benefit plants, animals, and people. Through direct participation in an actual wetland restoration project at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, attendees will discover how to identify degraded wetlands, test soils, choose construction techniques, work with heavy equipment operators, and establish native plants. Participants will learn about active wetland restoration projects involving rare wetland species including Mass Audubon’s Eastern Spadefoot Toad Restoration Project on Cape Cod. You’re certain to enjoy the field trips planned to wetlands that were recently restored.

Who Should Attend: Biologists, city planners, land managers, foresters,

hydrologists, engineers, educators, professional wetland scientists, non-profit and environmental organization professionals and technicians. You do not need wetland restoration experience to attend.

Cost: $225, which includes lunches on both days, hand-out materials, signed

copy of the book Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide by Thomas Biebighauser, and more! Tom Biebighauser’s book, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair will be available for sale from the author at $39.99/copy, signed.

Instructors:

Tom Biebighauser has restored over 1,600 wetlands in 20 states and 2 Canadian Provinces. He teaches practical, hands-on wetland restoration workshops across North America where participants learn about restoration and drainage by becoming involved in the design and construction of naturally appearing and functioning wetlands. Tom has developed highly successful and inexpensive techniques for restoring and repairing wetlands on mined lands, steep slopes, mountain ridges, large valleys, timber sale areas, and at schools. He’s written three books about restoring wetlands A Guide to Creating Vernal Ponds in 2003, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair in 2007, and Wetland Restoration and Construction Technical Guide in 2011. You can view some of the wetlands he has restored by visiting: www.wetlandsandstreamrestoration.org

Ian Ives is the Director of Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. He has a strong background in local wetland conservation and vernal pool protection. Ian is currently leading the pioneering Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus holbrooki) Restoration Project at Mass Audubon’s Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary, and is overseeing the Long Pasture Wetland Restoration Project in Barnstable, which will be the centerpiece of this workshop. Both projects involve rare species management, outreach and education and citizen science.

Bryan Windmiller holds a PhD in biology and a Master's degree in Environmental Policy, both from Tufts University. He has worked as a consulting wildlife ecologist since 1987 and was the founder of an independent ecological consulting firm, Hyla Ecological Services, Inc. In 2006 – 2007, Bryan was a visiting scholar at James Cook University in Australia, where he studied the epidemiology of a fungal disease that has caused the extinction of amphibian species worldwide. Since then, he has work as an independent consulting ecologist, specializing in rare species conservation management and is currently the President of Grassroots Wildlife Conservation, a non-profit environmental and educational organization in Concord MA.

Guest Speaker: Eric Derleth is a wildlife biologist with 33 years of experience with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He currently serves as the coordinator for the Service’s private lands habitat restoration program (Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program) for New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. His current habitat restoration priorities for the NH/MA/RI program include restoration of degraded salt marsh habitat, the restoration of degraded riverine and riparian systems including the restoration of fish passage through dam removal and/or culvert replacement, and projects that focus on the management of early successional forest habitat to benefit the New England Cottontail and migratory birds.

AGENDA

HANDS-ON WETLAND CREATION WORKSHOP

June 24 and 25, 2014

Tuesday, June 24

8:30 a.m. Registration opens

Meet at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary Visitor Center, 345 Bone Hill Road

Cummaquid, MA 02637.

9:00 a.m. Welcome, Ian Ives (refreshments served)

9:15 a.m. Identification of drained wetlands. Presentation by Tom Biebighauser

There are many signs of historic drainage that remain evident today, and some can be seen while driving 70MPH. This presentation examines numerous drained wetlands so you can learn how to identify their ghosts on forested and open landscapes.

10:30 a.m. Techniques for restoring groundwater wetlands and springs. Presentation by Tom Biebighauser

Springs and wetlands have been altered by farmers across the Northeast for generations. This presentation shows the steps necessary for restoring naturally appearing and functioning groundwater wetlands at a reasonable cost.

12:00 p.m. Lunch Provided

12:30 p.m. How drained wetlands appear in the outdoors and how to design wetland restoration projects. Participants will examine drained wetlands in the field and work to design wetland restoration projects at the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary.

4:00 p.m. Local Wetland Restoration Projects. Presentation by Eric Derleth.

See how 40 acres of retired cranberry bogs were restored to natural wetlands in the headwaters of the Eel River, a small spring-fed system draining to Plymouth Harbor, MA.

5:30 p.m. Supper on your own

7:00 p.m. Field trip to visit four wetlands constructed for the eastern spadefoot using aquatic-safe liners. Meet in the parking lot for the Mass Audubon’s Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary, opposite the home at 285 Ashumet Road, Falmouth, MA..

Wednesday, June 25

Restoration of two wetlands using an excavator. Meet at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary Visitor Center, 345 Bone Hill Road, Cummaquid, MA 02637.

Participants will observe and work with the heavy equipment operator to restore wetlands supplied with groundwater at the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary.

8:00 a.m. Wetland Construction Begins

-Safety discussion

-Discuss project with heavy equipment operator

-Salvage trees and shrubs

-Save topsoil

-Construct groundwater dam

12:00 p.m. Lunch provided

1:00 p.m. Wetland construction Continues

-Restore basin and loosen compacted soil

-Replace topsoil, add large woody debris

-Seed and mulch, plant trees and shrubs

While construction is taking place participants will visit wetlands restored in 2013 and complete exercises in the field that explain the groundwater, surface water, and liner techniques for building wetlands. Hands-on activities will focus on practical ways for determining slope, soil texture, and groundwater elevation.

5:30 p.m. Adjourn

Lodging: Accommodations close to Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary Discounts are available from some of these accommodations. Please call accommodation for details and reference the Wetland Workshop.

Holiday Inn Hotel Cape Cod –Hyannis 1127 Rt 132, Hyannis MA 02601 Tel (508)-775-1153 Hyannis Days Inn Hotel 867 Iyannough Road, Hyannis MA Tel (508) 771-6100 ‎(mention rate code L20) Colonial House Inn Bed and Breakfast 277 Main St (Rt 6a) Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 Tel (508) 362-4348 Courtyard Cape Cod 707 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA Tel (508) 775-6600 Lamb and Lion Inn 2504 Main St, Barnstable, MA

Tel (508) 362-6823 ‎ Ashley Manor 3660 Main St (Rt 6a) Barnstable, MA 02630 Tel (508) 362-8044 Crook Jaw Inn 186 Main St (Rt 6a), Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 (508) 362-6111

REGISTRATION FORM

HANDS-ON WETLAND CREATION WORKSHOP

June 24 and 25, 2014

Note: One form per person please

Name:

Address: Please email me a receipt (circle one):

Email: Yes

Phone Number: No

Affiliation:

Registration Fee = $225 U.S./person

How to Register:

Online at: massaudubon.org/long pasture

For those needing to pay by check: Send this registration form and payment to: Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 235, Cummaquid MA 02637. Make checks out to Mass Audubon *Include name and address*

For more information: Ian Ives, (508) 362-7475 Ext 9350. E-mail: iives@massaudubon.org

Cancellation Policy

The registration fee is non-refundable and the written materials will be sent to registrants

who cannot attend. If cancellation becomes necessary, substitution in lieu of cancellation is

recommended. For cancellation, please contact Ian Ives.

Please Hurry- Registration Capped at 30 participants

Ask about discounts for non-profits!