Healthy wetlands and waterways are essential for biodiversity and healthy lands. On the Land Stewards demonstration site, we are focused on long-term restoration and protection of streams and wetlands, starting with a significant lake restoration project.
On our demonstration site, the largest bodies of water are two manmade lakes that were developed without any scientific guidance about functioning aquatic ecosystems. The lakes are uniform in depth and support only a few species of plants and animals, rather than a broad diversity of species. Lilypads form a monoculture in the water, which prevents species like Osprey, Bald Eagles, and river otters from fishing. Our founder, Charles Bich, particularly loves to see the Ospreys return in spring and hopes to have them nest on the property soon, but as soon as the lilypads cover the lake surface, Osprey leave the property because they cannot hunt through the vegetation. During winter, the decomposition of the lilypads in the lakes also robs the water of oxygen (harming fish and other species) and emits methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas.
We are working on plans and permits to completely overhaul the two lakes’ hydrology and bathymetry and create one large, healthy wetland with a natural blend of shallow marshes, native vegetated areas and deeper open water. We will also continue to rehabilitate other water sources and streambeds throughout the property to prevent erosion and root out invasive species like phragmites.