09/03/2019
The Lake Erie Islands Habitat Enhancements for Pollinators and the Monarch Butterflies is a partnership between the Kelleys Island School, Kelleys Island Field Station, Kelleys Island State Park, Kelleys Island Audubon Society, Pheasants Forever, The Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory, The Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildife Center, The Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Ohio Division of Wildlife, U.S Fish and Wildlife, Pollinator Partnership, and Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative. The mission is to Promote the Health of Pollinators Critical to the Lake Ere Island’s Ecosystems through Conservation, Education, and Research.
Much of the land around and in the Kelleys Island State Park is overgrown with non-native and invasive plant species. These areas currently have very little value to the wildlife who inhabit and migrate through Kelleys Island. To improve these areas, we have developed a three-year program to improve up to fifteen acres within the State Park properties by using standard and tested conservation management techniques. This acreage will contain plant species native to Kelleys Island that will attract various insects, birds, and reptiles.
Starting in October 2018 mowing began in designated areas, and a demonstration plot of around .15 acres was planted at the Kelleys Island School. This plot was developed at an accelerated rate with the same plant species used in the larger areas and managed in the same fashion as the other acreage within the park. In June 2019 nonnative plant species were removed by the use of appropriate methods, this was repeated in July and August as needed. (By doing this the introduced native species will have a greater chance of surviving without competition). In the spring 2020 specific grasses and wildflowers will be planted for germination, with the assistance from Pheasants Forever and the Division of Wildlife.
With this is mind, the cost of the seed for this project is estimated at $20,000.00. This year our committee and volunteers have been working to meet this challenge though soliciting local donations, fundraisers, grants, and other foundations so we can meet this challenge. We are continuing our efforts to raise the funds needed, but need more support. With this collaboration, we look forward to providing educational programming and demonstration for years to come to continue to benefit the island and community.
