Virginia Coastal Program: 1997 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY1997 Task 54
Grantee:
City of Portsmouth
Project Title:
Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve Development
Project Description as Proposed:
The project will provide equipment, tools, and personnel needed to establish and maintain a nature preserve and to provide public access for environmental education. The project will provide on-going volunteer opportunities for citizens of all ages and will leverage additional funding sources. The project will strengthen the new partnerships between the City of Portsmouth and the grassroots Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation and its regional cooperators.
Federal Funding:
$15,000
Project Contact:
Randi Strutton,
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Final project narrative with color photos of the pathway, plantings, meadow, debris clean-up and signage.
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The
Meadow Construction Project was a major component of this grant.
The objective was to reestablish an open area, a "meadow,"May 1, 2006al habitat for diverse
wildlife and also to promote greater awareness of the value of open
space and edge communities to the ecosystem.
The Meadow Construction Project was accomplished throughout the
year. We began by clearing young saplings, shrubs and grasses from
the area. We consulted with several scientists and professionals
experienced in meadow design and construction and approved a plan
prepared by Mr. Thad Cherry of the Virginia Department of Game and
Inland Fisheries. The foundation sought and received donations of
materials, specifically, seeds, stone dust of the path, and signage.
While wet weather delayed construction and planting, the project
was finally completed in February, 1999. The path is laid, the ground
is planted, and the sign interpreting the meadow and crediting the
Virginia Coastal Program is installed. The meadow will begin blooming
this spring.
The meadow project was a very cooperative venture. The Virginia
Coastal Program grant funds provided for heavy equipment rental
and operation to prepare and plant the meadow and construct a 745
foot long hard surface accessible walkway. Community volunteers
provided much of the initial labor in clearing and preparing the
meadow area for restoration. Wildflower seeds were donated by Vickie
Shufer, who had harvested them from local plants. They include Meadow
Beauty, Joe-Pye Weed, Horsemint, Purple Gerardia, Lespedza, and
Sunflower. Norfolk County Feed and Seed donated Ladino Clover and
Orchard grass. The stone dust for the walkway was donated by Cogentrix
and by Duvall's Mowing Service. Architectural Graphics, Inc. donated
the interpretative and attribution sign.
The Fence: After acquiring the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve through
lease from the city of Portsmouth, the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation
began efforts to protect the preserve from unauthorized entry and
random acts of vandalism, Part of the Virginia Coastal Program grant
was used to install security fencing along the exposed eastern boundary
of the property, where the ease of accessibility was of greatest
concern. The goal was to protect the Preserve from vandals, hunters
and others, even casual observers, who were trespassing on the Preserve
despite posted signs.
During the summer of 1998, Virginia Coastal Program funds enabled
the Foundation to hire a fencing contractor. The contractor installed
a six-foot chain link fence along the Preserve's 1.310 foot long
boundary on Twin Pines Road. Since completing the fence, the Foundation
has received no complaints or reports of illegal or destructive
activity at the Preserve.
Phragmites Control: One of the work elements included control of
the proliferation of phragmites at the Preserve. While formulating
its land management plan, the Foundation recognized the need to
control phragmites that was apparently thriving in several areas
around the borrow pit lake. However, after the extraordinarily wet
winter of 1997, the lake's water rose and weakened the phragmites
growing on the shoreline. Much of the phragmites apparently died.
In the spring and summer of 1998, the Foundation reassessed the
need to apply herbicide to the remaining plants. Several wetland
scientists who visited the site recommended that the Foundation
continue to monitor the few remaining plants and cut them back or
apply herbicide as needed throughout the year.
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
