Springfield Conservation Nature Center Ten Year Area Management Plan FY 2015-2024 ) ) a;/;::;r r, Date Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan Approval Page PLANNING TEAM Kevin Hedgpeth, Wildlife Management Biologist Brad Jump, Urban Wildlife Biologist Kara Tvedt, Fisheries Management Biologist Frances Main, Resource Forester Rhonda Rimer, Natural Histmy Biologist Jerry Austin, Conservation Agent Shannon Olu·enberg, Conservation Agent Matt Cuny, Private Land Conservationist Linda Chorice, Nature Center Manager Rudy Mmiinez, Assistant Nature Center Manager SOUTHWEST REGION 1£6 ~ SWRCT Chair Signature Date OUTREACH & EDUCATION DIVISION Unit Chief 2015 – Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan  Page 3 OVERVIEW • Official Area Name: Springfield Conservation Nature Center, # 8609 • Year of Initial Acquisition: 1985 • Acreage: 79 acres • County: Greene • Division with Administrative Responsibility: Outreach and Education • Division with Maintenance Responsibility: Design and Development • Statements of Purpose: A. Strategic Direction The Springfield Conservation Nature Center lands will be managed to provide safe, enjoyable, and varied opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, especially urban audiences, to discover and experience nature. Repeat visitation will be encouraged by providing a continuation of learning opportunities designed to create an appreciation for and understanding of conservation through personal experiences, interpretive programs and resource management activities. B. Desired Future Condition The desired future condition of the Springfield Conservation Nature Center is to provide good examples of diverse natural communities that benefit a variety of wildlife species, provide enjoyable and safe natural experiences for the public, and support the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (the Department’s) interpretive educational program goals. C. Federal Aid Statement N/A GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS I. Special Considerations A. Priority Areas: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located within the Department’s Fisheries Division James River Priority Watershed. B. Natural Area: None II. Important Natural Features and Resources A. Species of Conservation Concern: Species of conservation concern are known from this area. Area Managers should consult the Natural Heritage Database annually and review all management activities with the Natural History Biologist. B. Caves: None C. Springs: Yes, records kept with Department Natural History Biologist. D. Other: Occurs in the Springfield Plain subsection of the Ozark Highlands section of Missouri. The area is within the James River Oak Savanna/Woodland Low 2015 – Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan  Page 4 Hills Land Type Association (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002). A mile or so north, Sequiota Spring (which is a large supplier of water to Galloway Creek as it flows across the nature center grounds) was the site of the first state-owned trout hatchery in Missouri. III. Existing Infrastructure • A nature center building (15,748 square feet) with 3,000 square feet of interpretive exhibits, a 147-seat auditorium, two classrooms with capacity for 48 each, lobby, gift shop, reception area, maintenance area and offices. The building is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible. • Covered staging area (2,068 square feet) with restrooms, soda machine and drinking fountain. • Maintenance building (880 square feet) with heated bay. • Paved parking lot for 109 cars and 5 buses. Additional cars can park in the bus lot. • Seven hiking trails totaling nearly 3 miles in length and including two decks, seven foot bridges, five boardwalks (over water, areas prone to flooding, or sensitive areas such as the glade) and a viewing blind (Photo Blind) on Lake Springfield. The two trails closest to the building are surfaced in asphalt while others are either covered in gravel (in areas prone to flooding) or woodchips (preferred). • A ditch and diversion berm of approximately 376 feet long by 10-12 feet wide is located on the north side of the property to divert water runoff from the U.S.-60/US- 65 interchange to prevent flooding the Galloway Creek Section of the Long Trail. IV. Area Restrictions or Limitations A. Deed Restrictions or Ownership Considerations: There are no reservations on the title or other agreements. The Department owns nearly 53 acres and just less than 26 acres are leased from City Utilities of Springfield. The land was acquired as a community nature center site in two purchases and a lease agreement. In December 1985, the Department took title of 45 acres from Jean and Dr. Henry F. Knabb, Jr. Several months later, an additional 7 acres were purchased (with a partial donation) from C.W. Chrisman. In June 1986, a 10-year lease was signed to manage 26 acres of adjoining City Utilities property. In April 2008, about an acre of land on the north boundary (owned by the Department and leased by City Utilities of Springfield) was deeded to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for upgrades to the U.S.-60/US-65 interchange. MoDOT compensated the Department $38,500 for approximately 0.9 acre as new right of way, a permanent easement on approximately 0.2 acre for a sanitary sewer and a temporary construction easement on approximately 0.5 acres. The “Second Amendment to Lease Agreement” for the 10-year lease with City Utilities was 2015 – Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan  Page 5 renewed Nov. 14, 2005. The term of the Lease Agreement will expire June 15, 2016, before this plan expires. B. Federal Interest: Federal funds may be used in the management of this land. Fish and wildlife agencies may not allow recreational activities and related facilities that would interfere with the purpose for which the State is managing the land. Other uses may be acceptable and must be assessed in each specific situation. C. Easements: City Utilities of Springfield retains a 25-foot easement along US-60, which forms the nature center’s north boundary. D. Cultural Resources Findings: Yes, records kept with Department Environmental Compliance Specialist. Managers should follow Best Management Practices for Cultural Resources found in the Department’s Resource Policy Manual. E. Hazards and Hazardous Materials: None observed. F. Endangered Species: Endangered species are known from this area. Area Managers should consult the Natural Heritage Database annually and review all management activities with the Natural History Biologist. G. Boundary Issues: None. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS V. Terrestrial Resource Management Considerations The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is a small and heavily used conservation area (CA) located within the city limits of Springfield with diverse natural communities to showcase and manage. Because of high public interest, decisions about area management are based first on visitor safety and second on protecting the resource. Management of the area requires extensive resources of personnel and equipment, often from other divisions, and may interfere temporarily with public use, generate questions or affect neighbors. These parameters provide a unique opportunity to educate the public about the role of management in conserving the resource to benefit both wildlife and people. Many outdoor activities at the nature center are restricted by the Wildlife Code due to the high volume of users. Visitors are required to remain on trails (except by Special Use Permit for educational or scientific purposes) and collecting of natural materials is prohibited to protect the area from overuse. Fishing (from the bridges and shoreline) and hunting are also currently prohibited. Fishing from boats is allowed. The desire to reduce the number of white-tailed deer to acceptable levels related to resource sustainability while maintaining wildlife viewing opportunities is another important management consideration. 2015 – Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan  Page 6 Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Extensive resources (e.g., equipment, budget and personnel) are required to manage the property. 2) Located within an urban area with close proximity to neighborhoods and US- 60/US-65 interchange. 3) Heavy public use may cause conflicts among users and conflicts with natural resource management activities that may require the trails or area to close temporarily. 4) High white-tailed deer numbers may require future management to preserve area diversity. The Department utilizes and supports hunting as one management option which will be considered for the control of overabundant white-tailed deer at the nature center. 5) Area has multiple natural communities that need to be managed. Management Objective 1: Maintain 62 acres of forests and woodlands with emphasis on wildlife habitat and aesthetics. Strategy 1: Monitor forests and woodlands for invasive exotic vegetation and diseases. Manage any infestations that may develop (Outreach and Education / Design and Development). Strategy 2: Retain and protect existing den trees for wildlife (Outreach and Education/ Design and Development). Strategy 3: Assess hazardous trees close to the trails or structures on an annual basis to determine which ones need pruning or removal (Outreach and Education/ Design and Development/Forestry). Management Objective 2: Maintain two-acre woodland restoration along Savanna Ridge Trail. Strategy 1: Monitor woodland for invasive exotic vegetation, invasive woody vegetation and diseases. Manage any infestations that may develop (Outreach and Education/ Design and Development/Forestry). Strategy 2: Maintain open woodland character by using prescribed fire to enhance native forbs and grasses (All Divisions). Management Objective 3: Maintain 10-acre old field bottomland prairie planting. Strategy 1: Monitor field for invasive exotic vegetation, invasive woody vegetation and diseases. Manage any infestations that may develop (Outreach and Education/ Design and Development/Forestry). Strategy 2: Maintain prairie planting by using prescribed fire to control and set back woody succession (All Divisions). 2015 – Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan  Page 7 Management Objective 4: Maintain 2-acre limestone glade. Strategy 1: Monitor glade for invasive exotic vegetation, invasive woody vegetation and diseases. Manage any infestations that may develop (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 2: Maintain boardwalks to protect fragile soil from compaction (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). VI. Aquatic Resource Management Considerations The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located along the shore of 318-acre Lake Springfield and includes several aquatic features within its boundaries. Expanding urbanization and the resulting infrastructure and the center’s close proximity to residential areas provide the most pressing threats to the area’s diverse aquatic resources. Challenges and Opportunities: 1) The area contains multiple aquatic resources such as a marsh, spring, several small streams (losing, intermittent and permanent), Galloway Creek, a sinkhole and Lake Springfield shoreline. 2) Surrounding urbanization has led to increased flood frequency of Galloway Creek. 3) Aquatic resources are prone to invasive species introduction due to aquarium releases and nearby backyard water gardens. 4) Sedimentation has reduced water depths at the confluence of Galloway Creek and Lake Springfield, changing the habitat. Management Objective 1: Maintain healthy aquatic features on the area. Strategy 1: Monitor wetlands, streams and Lake Springfield for invasive exotic species. Manage any infestations that may develop (Outreach and Education/ Design and Development/Fisheries). Strategy 2: Monitor water quality in Galloway Creek through two annual water quality monitoring activities at a location upstream from the nature center (Outreach and Education). Strategy 3: Monitor water quality in spring through quarterly sampling (Outreach and Education). Strategy 4: Monitor stream banks for accelerated erosion (Fisheries). Strategy 5: Continue to implement stream Best Management Practices (BMPs) as outlined in the Department’s Watershed and Stream Management Guidelines (2009) (Outreach and Education/Design and Development/Fisheries). 2015 – Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan  Page 8 Management Objective 2: Provide habitat for bottomland associated wildlife species. Strategy 1: Maintain a minimum of two ephemeral ponds with depths of 18-24 inches to benefit amphibian species (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 2: Maintain and monitor prothonatary warbler boxes along waterways to attract warblers and educate visitors (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). VII. Public Use Management Considerations Heavy public use also creates conflicts between user groups. Because the primary purpose of the area is to provide a place for visitors to discover nature and to learn about conservation through educational programs, use of the area for exercise (e.g., running, jogging) is limited to avoid interfering with the primary user’s experience or safety. While many visitors may walk the trails primarily for exercise, they do not interfere with educational programming, wildlife viewing or other nature activities. Visitors moving quickly on narrow, meandering trails may not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid interrupting programs, scaring off wildlife, startling visitors, or even making accidental physical contact with other trail users, many of which are children. Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Provide for wildlife viewing opportunities. 2) Provide educational and interpretive opportunities. 3) Continue to honor good relationships with neighbors. 4) High year-round visitation requires that maintenance issues be addressed as soon as possible to keep trails open, accessible and safe. Management Objective 1: Provide public wildlife viewing opportunities. Strategy 1: Conduct annual management activities that will provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife (All Divisions). Strategy 2: Maintain trails to allow public access to view wildlife and to connect with nature (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Management Objective 2: Provide educational and interpretive opportunities. Strategy 1: Maintain trail head sign with current information about activities and opportunities (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 2: Provide innovative ways to connect people to the resource using technology (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 3: Continue to offer outdoor guided programming to organized groups, Discover Nature Schools and the general public (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). 2015 – Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan  Page 9 Strategy 4: Provide opportunity for the general public to participate in management activities on a semiannual basis (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Management Objective 3: Maintain approximately two acres of landscaping/flower beds, parking lot islands, and mowed areas surrounding the building, staging area, parking lot, and entrance area for wildlife habitat, visitor appeal and safety. Strategy 1: Monitor flower beds for invasive exotic species. Manage any infestations that may develop (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 2: Maintain native plantings to beautify entrance area and to educate the public on the benefits of using native plants. Discourage white-tailed deer use by planting deer-resistant plants (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 3: Maintain parking lot islands in a natural state. Trim periodically to increase visibility and to ensure visitor safety (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 4: Maintain Wildlife Viewing Area to show examples of feeders and feed to attract birds. Use Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce disease vectors as needed (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 5: Maintain brush piles in Wildlife Viewing Area to provide protection for wildlife species (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 6: Maintain small fishless pond in Wildlife Viewing Area to attract wildlife and to demonstrate how one may be duplicated in an urban yard (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 7: Maintain pump in fishless pond in Wildlife Viewing Area to keep water from freezing and to provide the sound of splashing water to attract species such as warblers during spring and fall migration (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 8: Monitor diversion berm to ensure proper function. Check for accelerated erosion and maintain by removing large woody debris. Management Objective 4: Explore management options concerning overabundant white-tailed deer. Strategy 1: Continue to monitor white-tailed deer populations (Wildlife). Strategy 2: Maintain white-tailed deer exclosure for education and interpretive use (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Strategy 3: Reduce the number of white-tailed deer to acceptable levels related to the resource sustainability while maintaining wildlife viewing opportunities. The Department utilizes and supports hunting as one management option which will 2015 – Springfield Conservation Nature Center Area Management Plan  Page 10 be considered for the control of overabundant white-tailed deer at the nature center (Outreach and Education/Wildlife/Protection). VIII. Administrative Considerations Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Maintain area infrastructure. 2) Limited opportunity for expansion. Management Objective 1: Maintain area infrastructure at current levels. Strategy 1: Maintain area infrastructure in accordance with Department guidelines and at currently identified maintenance level (1) (Outreach and Education/Design and Development). Management Objective 2: When available, adjacent land may be considered for acquisition from willing sellers. Tracts that improve area access, provide public use opportunities, contain unique natural communities and /or species of conservation concern, or meet other Department priorities as identified in the annual Department land acquisition priorities may be considered. Management Objective 3: Improve trail access for maintenance and emergency access. Strategy 1: Widen two portions of the trail (Long Trail near Savanna Ridge Trail and Sycamore Cutoff) and stabilize trail edges (Design and Development). Strategy 2: Widen bridges to accommodate equipment for maintenance and emergency access when budgets, personnel and equipment are available (Design and Development).