Otisfield Conservation Committee Meeting
Minutes – Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 7pm.
(approved)
Present – Pixie Williams, Bob Blake, Susan Feller; OCC
Jacinthe Sirois; Friends of OCC, David Hyer; Town Computer Consultant
Pixie opened the meeting at 7:05 pm. David worked on the members’ laptops during the meeting to enable wireless access to the Town’s website.
Pixie spoke about the value of the Coon Swamp beaver pond as an important habitat for amphibians and birds, and her contact with the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) regarding the diversity of wildlife that inhabits Coon Swamp. DIFW felt it could be a valuable location for amphibian breeding pools. Pixie noted that during her visits to the pond she has encountered a man who collects frogs from the swamp, who did not divulge his purpose for collecting. She observed a large number of live frogs he held in a “picnic cooler”.
Minutes from the February OCC meeting were read and corrections made. Susan moved to approve minutes, Bob seconded.
Old Business – Pixie discussed the issue of motorized vehicles having access to Heniger Park, and recommended that a letter be sent to the Town Selectmen clarifying that the OCC was mandated to be an educational resource on conservation issues, and that allowing motorized vehicles in Heniger Park does not fit with good conservation practices. Pixie asked that members submit their views on the issue to her, and she will draft a letter to the selectmen. It was also decided to follow through after the letter is sent with members attending a Board of Selectmen meeting.
Vernal Pools – Pixie will contact DIFW again regarding protection of Coon Swamp.
OCC members will embark on conducting informal vernal pool surveys this spring on town lands and other accessible properties to which they are familiar that have potential for vernal pools. Pixie recommended that members keep a journal of their observations, and revisit areas throughout the seasons of amphibian and reptile activity to monitor these areas, note wildlife that is present and conditions of the areas. Information gathered could be computerized. This will be the start of documenting amphibian distribution, abundance and habitat for the town. Pixie presented a detailed time line of vernal pool activity in Maine, from ice out in early April through spawning, egg laying and hatching by late May. Jacinthe will type up the information and email it to members.
Amphibians are important as indicator species for the health of the environment and as food for a variety of wildlife. Jacinthe will check with Maine Audubon about getting additional copies of their vernal pool guides for the OCC library. Pixie will contact Lee about getting the man from Bethel who presented a vernal pool seminar for the Western Foothills Land Trust, to possibly have a presentation for Otisfield residents. Susan discussed the annual “Big Night” phenomenon that occurs when the first warm, rainy night causes amphibians to begin their trek to their breeding pools. This has become an event where towns throughout New England now have volunteers monitoring certain roads to protect the migrating amphibians from vehicular mortality. Susan will contact Carrie Walia at Loon Echo Land Trust
for information about Bridgton’s “Big Night”, and how and when they contact volunteers for the event. Some members of the OCC are interested in participating.
New Business – Susan had noted missing minutes from OCC meetings in 2008 and 2009, and had emailed Marianne Nurmi and Beth Damon to see if they might have any in their computer files. To date no response. Pixie suggested contacting Lee to see if she might have any on her computer.
Pixie heard back from Gail Everett that the Maine Entomological Society will not be able to conduct a “butterfly blitz” at Jugtown Plains this summer due to a full schedule. However, they could put it in their schedule for 2012 if the OCC wants one done. All agreed it would be beneficial to have this done.
Bulletin Board – Bob will set up a “user friendly” display of Vernal Pool material with amphibian photos and written information from Maine Audubon.
Next meeting set for Wednesday, April 27th, 2011, 7pm.
Bob moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:05, Susan seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Feller, Secretary
TAFT 05.26.11
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