Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

Presents:

5th Annual Hands-On Wetland Restoration Workshop

for Professionals

Part of the Spadefoot Toad Restoration Project

Dates: June 23-24, 2015 Location: Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable, MA

Hosted by: Mass Audubon In collaboration with:

Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (ARC)

Grassroots Wildlife Conservation

25%

Discount for non-profits!

About the Workshop: Isolated wetlands provide vital habitat to many

species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Unfortunately, a majority of these ecosystems have been lost or degraded due to draining and filling throughout New England. These landscape modifications are now affecting recovery efforts for endangered species, reducing water quality, increasing flooding, and reducing ground water supplies. Fortunately, it’s now possible to restore these altered and degraded wetlands, re-establishing the hydro-periods, aquatic vegetation, and animal life that once existed. This hands-on workshop is designed for individuals interested in learning how to use practical, low cost techniques for restoring naturally appearing and functioning wetlands. Participants will see how wetland projects can be planned in land trust properties, private conserved lands, public land, and even on school grounds to benefit plants, animals, and people. Through field exercises and direct participation in an actual wetland restoration project at Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary in Falmouth, attendees will discover how to identify degraded wetlands, test soils, choose construction techniques, work with heavy equipment operators, and establish native plants. Participants will learn about active wetland restoration projects involving rare wetland species including Mass Audubon’s Eastern Spadefoot Toad Restoration Project on Cape Cod.

Who Should Attend: Biologists, city planners, land managers, foresters,

hydrologists, engineers, educators, professional wetland scientists, non-profit and environmental organization professionals and technicians. You do not need wetland restoration experience to attend.

Cost: $225, ($168 for non-profits) which includes lunches on both days, hand-

out materials, signed copy of the book Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide by Thomas Biebighauser, and more! Tom Biebighauser’s book, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair will be available for sale from the author at $39.99/copy, signed.

Instructors:

Tom Biebighauser has restored over 1,700 wetlands in 21-States, in Canada and across New Zealand. He has studied drainage for 32-years, learning from contractors who spent their lives destroying wetlands. Tom teaches practical, hands-on workshops where participants learn how to restore wetlands by becoming involved in the design and construction of naturally appearing and functioning wetlands. He has written 3-books about wetland restoration, and instructs online college and field courses on the topic. Please visit www.wetlandrestorationandtraining.com to see photos of the wetlands he has restored, and for information on the techniques he is using.

Ian Ives is the Director of Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Ian leads the Mid and Upper Cape Sanctuaries conservation projects aimed at protecting our local biodiversity and rare natural communities. Through a combination of conservation, education and advocacy, these programs connect people and nature and inspire action. Ian is currently leading the pioneering Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus holbrooki) and Wetland Restoration Project at Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary. Now in its 5th year, this project involves spadefoot headstarting and translocation, comprehensive field monitoring, educational outreach, and habitat restoration.

Bryan Windmiller holds a PhD in biology and a Master's degree in Environmental Policy, both from Tufts University. He has worked as a consulting wildlife ecologist since 1987 and was the founder of an independent ecological consulting firm, Hyla Ecological Services, Inc. In 2006 – 2007, Bryan was a visiting scholar at James Cook University in Australia, where he studied the epidemiology of a fungal disease that has caused the extinction of amphibian species worldwide. Since then, he has work as an independent consulting ecologist, specializing in rare species conservation management and is currently the President of Grassroots Wildlife Conservation, a non-profit environmental and educational organization engaging citizens of New England in hands-on efforts to monitor, enhance, and protect rare or threatened populations of wild animal and plant species.

Guest Speaker:

Eric Hutchins is the Gulf of Maine Habitat Restoration Coordinator for the NOAA Restoration Center

located in Gloucester Massachusetts. In this capacity he has provided technical and financial assistance to over 300 habitat restoration projects throughout the Gulf of Maine including dozens of dam removals and fish ladders. He has been employed by the National Marine Fisheries Service since 1993. Eric has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and Masters degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.

AGENDA

HANDS-ON WETLAND CREATION WORKSHOP

June 23 and 24, 2015

Tuesday, June 23

8:30 a.m. Registration opens

Meet at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary Visitor Center, 345 Bone Hill Road

Cummaquid, MA 02637.

9:00 a.m. Welcome, Ian Ives (light refreshments served)

9:15 a.m. Wetland Drainage Practices and How to Identify Drained Wetlands. Presentation by Tom Biebighauser

There are many signs of historic drainage that remain evident today, and some can be seen while driving 70MPH. This presentation examines numerous drained wetlands so you can learn how to identify their ghosts on forested and open landscapes.

10:30 a.m. Wetland Restoration Techniques. Presentation by Tom Biebighauser

Springs and wetlands have been altered by farmers across the Northeast for generations. This presentation shows the steps necessary for restoring naturally appearing and functioning groundwater wetlands at a reasonable cost.

12:00 p.m. Lunch Provided

1:00 p.m. Oak Island Salt Marsh Restoration: 101 Reasons to Think Twice about Tide Gates?

Presentation by Eric Hutchins

This presentation will focus on lessons learned over 15 years of working on restoring the Oak Island Salt Marsh in Revere, MA. The project has numerous lessons learned that can be applied to salt marsh restoration and flood control projects that rely on tide gates.

2:30 p.m. Field trip at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary: Lead by Ian Ives, Tom Biebighauser and Bryan Windmiller

- Examination of six newly restored groundwater and surface water wetlands.

- Reading the landscape: How drained wetlands appear in the outdoors.

5:30 p.m. Supper on your own

7:00 p.m. Field trip to visit four wetlands constructed for the eastern spadefoot using aquatic-safe liners. Meet in the parking lot for the Mass Audubon’s Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary, opposite the home at 285 Ashumet Road, Falmouth, MA.

AGENDA

HANDS-ON WETLAND CREATION WORKSHOP

June 23 and 24, 2015

Wednesday, June 24

Wetland Restoration Using an Excavator. Meet at Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary, East Falmouth MA opposite the home at 285 Ashumet Road, Falmouth, MA.

Participants will work with the heavy equipment operator to restore a filled and non functioning groundwater wetland at the Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary.

7:30 a.m. Wetland Construction Begins

-Safety discussion

-Discuss project with heavy equipment operator

-Salvage trees and shrubs

-Save topsoil

-Construct groundwater dam

12:00 p.m. Lunch provided

1:00 p.m. Wetland construction Continues

-Restore basin to specification and loosen compacted soil

-Replace topsoil

-Seed and mulch

- Selectively replace vegetation/woody debris

While construction is taking place participants will complete exercises in the field that explain the groundwater, surface water, and liner techniques for building wetlands. Hands-on activities will focus on practical ways for determining slope, soil texture, and groundwater elevation. Participants will also run a design exercise for additional wetland restoration projects at Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary..

6 p.m. Adjourn

Lodging: Accommodations close to Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary (*) Discounts are available from these accommodations. Please call accommodation for details and reference Long Pasture’s Wetland Workshop.

*Holiday Inn Hotel Cape Cod –Hyannis

1127 Rt 132, Hyannis MA 02601 Tel (508) 775-1153 Hyannis Days Inn Hotel 867 Iyannough Road, Hyannis MA Tel (508) 771-6100 ‎(mention rate code L20)

*Colonial House Inn Bed and Breakfast

277 Main St (Rt 6a) Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 Tel (508) 362-4348 Courtyard Cape Cod 707 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA Tel (508) 775-6600

*Lamb and Lion Inn

2504 Main St, Barnstable, MA

Tel (508) 362-6823 ‎ Ashley Manor 3660 Main St (Rt 6a) Barnstable, MA 02630 Tel (508) 362-8044

*Crook Jaw Inn

186 Main St (Rt 6a), Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 (508) 362-6111

REGISTRATION FORM

HANDS-ON WETLAND CREATION WORKSHOP

June 23 and 24, 2015

Note: One form per person please

Name:

Address: Please email me a receipt (circle one):

Email: Yes

Phone Number: No

Affiliation:

Registration Fee = $225 U.S./person. $168 U.S./person for non-profits

Register Online at: www.massaudubon.org/longpasture

For those needing to pay by Check: Send registration form and payment to: Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 235, Cummaquid MA 02637. Make checks out to Mass Audubon or credit card payment

*Include name and address*

For your safety, we will not accept faxed or e-mailed credit card information.

For more information: Ian Ives, (508) 362-7475 Ext 9350. E-mail: iives@massaudubon.org

Cancellation Policy

The registration fee is non-refundable and the written materials will be sent to registrants

who cannot attend. If cancellation becomes necessary, substitution in lieu of cancellation is

recommended. For cancellation, please contact Ian Ives.

**Please Hurry- Registration Capped at 30 participants **

25%

Discount for non-profits!