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EBERWHITE WOODS LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT PLAN

January 2002


Description

Eberwhite Woods is a 29-acre forest on the west side of Ann Arbor. The land is owned by the Ann Arbor Public Schools and used by Eberwhite Elementary School as an educational resource. Open to the public, it is a popular walking place for nearby residents. The tract is a remnant of native oak-hickory forest, includes three small ponds, and is home to wildflowers and wildlife including squirrels, snakes, salamanders, frogs and turtles.

The woods were an undeveloped part of the farm of Eber White, an early Ann Arbor settler. The University of Michigan owned the land in the first half of the twentieth century and used it to teach forestry. The university gave the woods to the Ann Arbor Public Schools in 1947. Part of the woods was cleared to build Eberwhite Elementary in 1950.

The Eberwhite Woods Committtee, a volunteer group under the auspices of the Eberwhite PTO, helps maintain the woods and organizes stewardship activities.


Long-term management goals


  1. To maintain Eberwhite Woods as an educational resource for nature study
    and conservation efforts by children and adults together.

  2. To maintain Eberwhite Woods for appropriate public use to enhance quality
    of life for residents and visitors, encouraging respect for its natural
    features.

  3. To maintain Eberwhite Woods as a viable ecosystem with special emphasis
    on conserving its native plants, animals and habitat and on preserving
    biological diversity.

  4. To maintain Eberwhite Woods by limiting damage from invasive species and public impacts that tend to degrade the woods environment.




Threats and stresses


Eberwhite Woods is bordered by backyards, a major street, a church, and the school grounds. Invasive non-native plants -- including garlic mustard, buckthorn, honeysuckle, Japanese barberry, myrtle, privet, celastrus, bittercress, Norway maple, and Siberian elm – have made incursions. Dumping of yard waste by neighbors has aided these invasions. The absence of periodic fires has promoted the spread of invasive species and the accumulation of leaf litter. Road salt and other runoff impact the woods habitat.

A sanitary sewer line and a storm water pipe traverse the northwest corner of the woods below ground. An open storm drain flows near the school grounds. Concerns include erosion, pollutants and sediments in runoff, high flows, safety (including open culverts), maintenance, and potential future incursions as part of the City’s management of storm water and sewer capacity problems.

Some woods visitors go off-trail, compacting soil, producing erosion, and trampling, digging and picking wildflowers. Litter, vandalism, loitering, animal harassment and poaching, and other illegal activities are intermittent problems.

Some dog walkers do not clean up and cart off feces; they spread bacteria
and ingested chemicals and preservatives. Others walk dogs off-leash; they can harass other woods visitors, injure or kill wildlife, and trample wildflowers.

Environmental stresses include periodic invasions of gypsy moths (an infestation in the late 1990s caused the loss of dozens of old oaks, and the felled trees meant more open areas, stumps, and log piles); acid rain; air pollution; and
global warming. Climate change could bring more prolonged droughts that would further stress old oaks; and/or more frequent heavy rains, causing erosion and
trail maintenance problems.

Trail and entrance maintenance is a constant concern and leads to safety and erosion issues. The woods is generally getting wetter and annual woodchipping by student and adult volunteers is not sufficient to prevent muddy spots.

Many woods users and neighbors need education, especially about invasives and the impact of dogs.

Stakeholders


Those with an interest in Eberwhite Woods include students and teachers at Eberwhite and other schools; the Ann Arbor Public Schools; Eberwhite Elementary parents; neighbors and city residents in general; members of Zion Church; woods visitors such as joggers, walkers, dog owners, cyclists, cross-country skiers, bird-watchers; city and county government; nature lovers; scouts and service groups; and the University of Michigan.

Conservation strategies

1. Reduce invasive plant species by approved and effective means.
2. Reintroduce fire into the ecosystem by controlled burns.
3. Maintain trails, bridges, boardwalks and entrances.
4. Minimize trampling of vegetation.
5. Eliminate dumping of yard waste.
6. Control stream erosion and try to reduce storm water flow
7. Educate visitors and neighbors
8. Closely monitor gypsy moths
9. Control dogs.
10. Bolster woods-related topics in Eberwhite curriculum.
11. Strengthen Eberwhite Woods Committee.

12. Promote stewardship by all stakeholders.

Implementation

Goal 1 (To maintain Eberwhite Woods as an educational resource for nature study and conservation efforts by children and adults together): Assist staff in developing curriculum; speakers at the school; more student stewardship activities in the woods.

Goal 2 (To maintain Eberwhite Woods for appropriate public use to enhance quality of life for residents and visitors, encouraging respect for its natural
features): Educate visitors about the need to leash and clean up after dogs. Maintain trails and address safety issues. Remove litter, provide trash cans.
Wood-chip trails; rebuild bridges; rebuild northeast entrance.
Goal 3 (To maintain Eberwhite Woods as a viable ecosystem with special emphasis on conserving its native plants, animals and habitat and on preserving
biological diversity): Controlled burns; reduce dumping of yard waste; remove invasives; control stream erosion; prevent pest damage.
Goal 4 (To maintain Eberwhite Woods by limiting damage from invasive species and public impacts that tend to degrade the woods environment): Plant edges with native shrubs; seed collection and dispersal; promote rain barrels and gardens; neighbor education.