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Volunteers from IBM and Pace University assist Hilltop Hanover Farm and Watershed Agricultural Council staffers in forested buffer restoration project. |
Yorktown Heights, NY - At the end of October, behind the barns and greenhouses at Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights, volunteers planted a riparian buffer -- a treeline aimed at defending a streambank from erosion and drinking water from stormwater run-off and pollution. The project was a collaboration between the Watershed Agricultural Council, Hilltop Hanover Farm, and Trees for Tribs, a natural-vegetation-planting initiative of the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program.
According to Lucille Munz, farm director at Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center, the project furthers the earth-friendly work conducted at the Westchester County facility. "We're engaging in practices that will enhance this County property, benefit the community and continue supporting our ecosystem long-term," noted Munz. "The project's goal was to restore an abandoned agricultural field back to a forested buffer along a stream that flows into the Croton Watershed's largest reservoir. Planting trees is quite an undertaking, but in the long run, it will pay off by providing shade, improving water conditions, and establishing a safe, wildlife habitat that all add up to a healthy streamside environment." Hilltop Hanover Farm is located at the headwaters of a 330-acre drainage basin that travels 1.5 miles downstream to the New Croton Reservoir.
WAC Forester Brendan Murphy noted that many studies support trees and forests as the best land use for water quality. "This single effort will make an impact on our drinking water supply. While the Croton Watershed supplies between 10% and 30% of New York City's demand for clean water, it's still a critical asset to maintain. With our plantings today, we're pro-actively addressing environmental concerns on behalf of future generations. Trees do the job best, of filtering water naturally while reducing sedimentation from erosion and water pollution from stormwater run-off." The Watershed Agricultural Council, through is Forestry Program and funding from U.S. Forest Service and NYC Environmental Protection, and NYS DEC covered the costs of plants and materials. Hilltop Hanover Farm proving the manpower and planting equipment. In less than six hours, volunteers planted 250 trees and shrubs. "There wasn't a whole lot of standing around time," added Murphy. "Farm employee Brian Carney on the tractor auger did a great job maneuvering the incline and kept us volunteers busy. As for our Master Planters, we couldn't have done it without them." Among those wielding a shovel and wrestling weed mats were 20 volunteers from IBM and Pace University, as well as Hilltop Hanover and WAC staffers.
The riparian site, adjacent to a crop field, is now part of Hilltop Hanover's outdoor educational classroom, providing landowners and workshop attendees with a practical, hands-on example of how land improvements, like basic tree plantings, can improve property values, decrease flood potential and enhance wildlife populations. "We'll be posting outdoor signage explaining the benefits of land practices like riparian buffers," noted Munz. "The Council will assist us with those educational project markers and installation in 2011, should the County opt to renew the Farm's funding in 2011." The Westchester County Legislature is currently debating the closing of Hilltop Hanover Farm & Educational Center as a measure to reduce County budget expenses. "The Farm has been here since the late 1780s, with the County taking ownership in 2003. Since then, we've offered a CSA/farm-share program of our organic vegetables, educational workshops and a film series," said Munz. "The Farm is a true community gem. We'd like to see it preserved not just for the 180-acres of open space, farm and forestland, but to provide Westchester residents a connection to local food and a learning center focused on environmental stewardship of land and natural resources."
This riparian planting was one of four riparian plantings occurring in the Croton Watershed; other buffers were installed in Patterson, North Salem and Yorktown. Projects for Spring 2011 are currently being planned in partnership with the Environmental Leaders Learning Alliance of Teatown Lake Reservation.
Landowners in the Croton Watershed with questions about riparian buffers and forest management plans should contact Brendan Murphy, WAC's East of Hudson Program Forester at (914) 962-6355 or bmurphy@nycwatershed.org. The Watershed Agricultural Council works with farm and forest landowners in the New York Water Supply region of the Croton and Catskill/Delaware watersheds to protect farmland, woodlands and water quality. The Council is funded by New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Forest Serivce, U.S.D.A and other sources. For more information about the Council and its East of Hudson Programs in agriculture and forestry, visit http://www.nycwatershed.org/clw_croton.html.
Friends of Hilltop Hanover meets regularly at the Farm in Building F. For more information about the Farm, CSA or other events, visit www.hilltophanoverfarm.org or call (914) 962-2368. ##### |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
START: TODAY
END: November 30, 2010 |
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SUMMARY: Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center collaborates with the Watershed Agricultural Council and NYS DEC in planting a streambank restoration project of 250 trees and shrubs. Known as a riparian buffer, this forested strip helps protect water quality, wildlife habitat and streamside soils. |
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PHOTOS & CAPTIONS:
PA290151: Hilltop Hanover Farm employee Brian Carney digs the holes with a tractor and auger.
IMG_1546: Jen Abbate, a regular volunteer at Hilltop Hanover Farm, gets read to place a shrub into the ground.
IMG_1545: A protective weed mat, designed to keep weeds out and let water in, is placed around a witch-hazel shrub by farm intern Jonathan Ramirez.
IMG_1550: Restoring forest buffers with native plants at Hilltop Hanover Farm, Yorktown Heights
IMG_1556: Finished planting project will protect water quality, soil erosion and wildlife habitat for future generations. |
HHF CONTACT:
(914) 420-7747 |
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WAC CONTACT:
Brendan Murphy
East of Hudson Program Forester, Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC)
(914) 962-6355
Tara Collins
(607) 865-7090 x226
(607) 643-5148 cell
WAC Communications Director
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The Watershed Agricultural Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City Watershed region. The WAC is funded by The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service and other federal, foundation and private sources. The WAC is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
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