Next Meeting: Monday, February 4, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Meetings are on the 1st Monday of each month. The March meeting will be on the 4th. All are welcome to attend.
The Woods Committee has included in this month’s Town Bulletin the summary results of the Forest Health Restoration survey of Town residents that followed the November Informational Meeting and December Town Bulletin, and we thank everyone who responded. We will be continuing our efforts on the three-pronged, integrated approach to forest health to include deer population management, non-native invasive plant control, and reforestation, and welcome your continued feedback. Please feel free to contact Pat Klein or Joan Mahaffey, Woods Committee Co-chairs.
Washington Grove Woods Committee Survey
Forest Health Restoration Plan Questionnaire – Summary Results
The combined results of a Woods Committee survey of town residents on the Forest Health Restoration Plan following the November Informational Meeting (with invited speakers) and the December Town Bulletin are presented below. A total of 44 responses were received. Tallied results show overwhelming support for the Woods Committee’s three-pronged integrated approach to include deer population management, non-native invasive plant control, and reforestation. With support by the Mayor and the Town Council, the Woods Committee will continue implementing the plan to restore the health of the East and West Woods. Thanks to everyone who completed the questionnaire.
1. What best describes your view about efforts to restore the health of our woods through active interventions?
[23] I strongly support the efforts and comprehensive plans presented to restore the health of our woods
[13] I support these efforts and want to learn more about the methods used and how to measure effectiveness.
[ 4] I don’t favor these restoration efforts. I believe we should not intervene and “let nature take its course.”
[ 1] I have no opinion
2. What best describes your opinion regarding controlling the deer population?
[26] I am strongly in favor of the town participating in the MC Deer Management Program to develop a plan to harvest our deer population by culling and donating the venison to food banks
[ 9] I favor harvesting the deer by culling and donating the venison to food banks but have some concerns about how this would be done
[ 1] I have mixed feeling about this issue and am uncertain where I stand
[ 0] I am indifferent to this issue and do not care what is done
[ 2] I am opposed to deer control by harvesting and donating the venison to food banks but would consider other feasible alternatives
[ 5] I am strongly opposed to deer control by harvesting and donating the venison to food banks
3. What best describes your opinion about constructing “fenced exclosures” in the woods to protect sensitive areas and prevent deer from entering to browse native plants?
[ 8] I favor constructing fenced exclosures around all of our East and West wooded areas
[22] I favor protecting only the most sensitive areas of our woods through fenced exclosures
[ 9] I am opposed to “fenced exclosures” in any areas of our woods because they would be obstructive and unattractive
[ 5] I have mixed feelings on this issue
[ 0] I don’t care one way or the other
4. What best describes your opinion about controlling non-native invasive (NNI) plants?
[27] I strongly support town efforts to control NNI plants in our woods using a combination of approved physical and chemical methods
[11] I support such efforts but would like more information on how and when these various methods will be used.
[ 4] I don’t support using any efforts to control NNI plants.
[ 0] I don’t care one way or the other
5. What best describes your opinion regarding the use of herbicides to control non-native invasive (NNI) plants in the East and West woods as part of the forest health restoration plan?
[12] I am opposed to any use of herbicides to control NNI plants as part of the forest health restoration plan
[22] I favor the limited, targeted use of EPA-registered herbicides where necessary and when safely applied by certified operators as part of the forest health restoration plan
[ 9] I favor the routine use of EPA-registered herbicides to maintain control of NNI plants.
[ 1] I have mixed feelings and am uncertain where I stand on this issue
[ 0] I am indifferent