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Cows To Help Improve Marsh Habitat At Brandywine Creek State Park, DE

Cows To Help Improve Marsh Habitat At Brandywine Creek State Park

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware --(Ammoland.com)- In an effort to restore the Freshwater Marsh Nature Preserve within Brandywine Creek State Park, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation will borrow two cows from a Delaware farm to graze the area and help reduce the number of invasive plants.

The two Belted Galloway cows, from Belted Galloway Cows of Centerville, will be on loan for seven to eight weeks beginning later this month. They will graze a five-acre fenced area in the park’s nature preserve.

“The cows are being used for prescribed grazing, or restoration,” said Rob Line, Environmental Stewardship program manager, with the Division of Parks and Recreation. “The Belted Galloways are an ancient Scottish breed used to eating coarse grasses, which is why they will work so well on a site like this,” Line said.

The project is a partnership among Delaware State Parks, which owns the land, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage program scientists, who will help monitor vegetation changes at the site, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which provided the $23,500 funding to build the fence.

“This is new for Delaware, but not new for marsh restoration projects throughout the Northeast,” continued Line. “Very often, sheep, goats and other cow breeds are utilized for prescribed grazing.” Historic records show that dairy cows grazed the area during the 1940s.

The cows will suppress invasive plants – especially reed canary grass among others - by eating and crushing them since the weight of the cows breaks up the root mat. The black and white cows weigh approximately 1,200 pounds each.

“Their grazing will be beneficial to Delaware’s native plants and animals, including rare species that are currently being compromised by the invasives,” Line said.

The cows will arrive after the fence is completed, expected by the end of June. Plans are for the cows to be used for seven to eight weeks during spring and summer months for the next few years. DNREC will monitor the marsh to determine how much grazing will be needed from year to year.

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Tis The Season – To Slow The Spread Of Invasive Species

Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, WI --(Ammoland.com)- As residents and visitors to Wisconsin gear up for camping, fishing, hiking, and other recreation activities, state invasive species control specialists are asking them to consider how these activities can inadvertently spread invasive plants around the state.

“As we venture out to enjoy nature, everyone should be mindful of how humans and our activities can play a critical role in either increasing or slowing the spread of invasive plants,” says Tom Boos, an invasive plant control specialist with the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.

At this time of year, Boos says, garlic mustard is one of the most recognizable invasive plants in woodland settings and it is easily spreads by seed.

“Simply scraping mud off your boots or shoes before and after spending time in garlic-mustard infested areas and removing any seeds stuck to clothing can dramatically reduce the risk of spreading this and other invasive plants to new areas,” Boos says.

After camping, people should shake out and brush off equipment to avoid spreading invasive species to the next spot they set up camp. When fishing excursions come to an end, anglers should never dump worms or other bait in the water or out “in nature.”

“It is best to dispose of unused worms in the trash to avoid introducing worms into a nearby forest where they greatly harm the forest,” Boos says. “And remember to always remove any aquatic plants from boats and trailers and to drain all water before leaving a boat landing to avoid spreading aquatic invasive species or fish diseases.”

People take the time to visit parks and other wild areas because of their beauty and biodiversity, Boos notes, so taking these easy steps can help protect those valuable natural resources.

Regardless of the type of recreation activities people are participating in, there are simple actions they can take to minimize the spread of invasive species.

The Wisconsin Council on Forestry Invasive Species Best Management Practices [council.wisconsinforestry.org/invasives] (exit DNR) lists preventative steps for a wide range of outdoor activities from motorized sports and horseback-riding to hiking, biking, camping and hunting. There are also activity based handouts on the website that you can share with others that send the basic message of “Slow the spread by sole and tread”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Boos – (608) 266-9276

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