5/24/2018 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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Update: Quashnet River Footbridge/Greenways Project The Agent gave an update on the Quashnet River Footbridge/Greenways Project. He said they had a meeting of the subcommittee to figure out a suitable location for the footbridge. There is a possibility of other funding methods which they are working on now. He attended the last meeting to let them know what they will need to come before the Commission in terms of requirements for permitting. Notice: Americorps appreciation cookout 6/13/18 at Waquoit Bay Research Reserve at 5 p.m. The Assistant Agent noted on June 13 WEBNER will be holding an appreciation cookout for the Americorps volunteers and the Conservation Department will also be contributing to that event. She noted the volunteers are extremely important to get our work done and it is an amazing program that we worked with for many years so its good to take the time to do this type of event. Updates: Assistant Conservation Agent Katelyn Cadoret The Assistant Agent updated the Commissioners on the following: They have been working with the Town of Barnstable and their Americorps placement to finish mapping and marking Santuit Preserve including the Barnstable side. The Trail Map is being finalized and it will marry both towns into one map. There will be an Americorps day to mark the new trail system. Seven crabapples and 7 viburnum bushes were ordered to be planted at the Santuit Preserve parking lot. They were chosen for their wildlife pollinator value and their hardiness to survive in that kind of setting. They are doing some prepping at the pollinator garden and they need to do more weeding and add a few more plantings. The presentations were successful at the library, the herring count and the Mashpee Land Stewards have been checking with her because it is part of their STEM grant. They have at least 8 new members for the herring count program and at least 10 members for the Mashpee Land Stewards. More people have joined the John’s Pond Cleanup. Conservation will be getting a new grant funded pollinator banner to be kept in our office part time that we can use at events. It is shared with the Friends of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge. They are the ones who secured the grant funding. It is quite beautiful and we will use it for events. A prescribed burning was done on the town owned parcels off of Holland Mill Road. This is the grant funding that was secured through the State’s Habitat Management Grant. It is part of the New England Cottontail Restoration Plan. There is an interesting project going on which is the Hessel’s Butterfly. It is a state listed species of special concern. The host plant is the Atlantic white cedar. There is a protocol to go out and search for them which helps the state to keep track of this species. The Assistant Agent is planning to write a citation for trash dumped at Pickerel Cove. Mr. Sweet asked about the project for shellfish grant in Great River. The Agent said the applicant has not gone before the Selectmen yet. He has to get Selectmen approval and a letter from the