Sewall Woods Invasive Species Management Project

The Lakes Region Conservation Trust is commencing the implementation of a long-planned natural resource improvement project in the Sewall Woods Conservation Area (SWCA) in Wolfeboro. This project was selected for funding through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for a contract to implement several recommended practices, starting with Brush Management for Invasive Species removal.

The project aims to address the thriving stands of invasive species that have colonized the property in accordance with the NRCS Forest Management Plan done by TSP Forester, Tim Nolan. The primary species include Oriental Bittersweet, Multiflora Rose, Japanese Barberry, and to a lesser extent, Glossy Buckthorn, Burning Bush, Autumn Olive, Honeysuckle, Japanese Knotweed, and Garlic Mustard. In many areas this invasion is outcompeting and choking out native plants, limiting biodiversity, establishing a deep seed bank to further spreading, prohibiting other management practices including timber management and trail maintenance, and forming dense thickets that impact native wildlife habitat. Under the contract, 30 acres will be managed for heavy brush management where invasive species comprise 75-100% land coverage, with another 30 acres managed for light to moderate brush management where the coverage is 20-70%.

The initial phase of the project will begin the second week of September 2024 and is expected to take 3-4 weeks to complete. Two on-site public information sessions will be held as follows:

• Public Information Walk #1 – Wednesday 9/4, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
• Public Information Walk #2 – Saturday 9/7, 9:30 – 11:00 am

We invite you to attend one of the Public Information Walks for an opportunity to see the infested areas and learn more about their damaging effects, the best management practices that will be conducted, the expected outcomes of the work, and future management of the property.