Management Goals

     1.     Plant fir and spruce trees in the area covered by deciduous forest (Mitchell, Breisch, & Buhlmann, 2006).

·      The focus of this objective is to increase the quality of nesting and habitat conditions for Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-backed Salamander) by creating more nesting areas and shelter for juvenile and adult salamanders. This will be achieved by planting fir and spruce trees, which are favored by E. Red-backed salamanders, and also by restricting the removal of fallen trees in the area. This management action could face resistance from the organization in charge of maintaining the grounds.

    2.     Create edge habitat around preexisting ponds (Mitchell, Breisch, & Buhlmann, 2006).

·      The focus of this objective is to increase the protection of Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) during their breeding season by providing more cover for adult males when they are calling. In order to accomplish this we will remove phragmites from along the shoreline and replace it with native plant species. The potential issue with this strategy revolves around maintaining the removal of phragmites to ensure native plant growth.

     3.     Create basking sites in preexisting ponds (Mitchell, Breisch, & Buhlmann, 2006).

·      The focus of this objective is to increase the quality of habitat conditions for Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle) by providing more accessible basking locations for juvenile and adult turtles that to do not overlap with the recreational user areas of the park. In order to achieve this we will construct stationary basking platforms near the center of the pond. Recreational users may view these basking areas as unaesthetically pleasing, which could cause potential resistance against this action.

    4.     Plant and construct gardens with small pools (Mitchell, Breisch, & Buhlmann, 2006).

·      The focus of this objective is to increase the amount of available habitat for juvenile and adult members of the species Lithobates clamitans (Green Frog). This will be achieved by building gardens with pools near and around the shoreline of the larger ponds. Maintaining these gardens could pose as an issue since there is no guarantee the city will be willing to maintain them. Also, there is the potential risk that recreational users, dogs, cats, and native predators will damage the gardens.

    5.     Protect and construct buffer zone along early successional field (Mitchell, Breisch, & Buhlmann, 2006).

·      The focus of this objective is on protecting the habitat of Thamnophis sirtalis (Common Garter Snake) and Storeria dekayi (DeKay’s Brown Snake) by preventing recreational users and domestic dogs from walking through areas of the field. This will be achieved by constructing a fence around the habitat that still allows for native animals to bypass, and by posting informational signs explaining the importance of the habitat. Preventing recreational users from accessing a section of the park could potentially upset some neighborhood residents whom use it currently. Also the fence will not prevent feral/pet cats from getting into the field, but we plan to combat this with the management strategy in our next objective.

    6.     Increase the amount of available shelter in early successional field (Mitchell, Breisch, & Buhlmann, 2006).

·      The focus of this objective is to increase the amount and quality of habitat for Thamnophis sirtalis (Common Garter Snake) and Storeria dekayi (DeKay’s Brown Snake). This will be done by adding constructed shelters made from logs of native trees. This should aid the two snake populations in the area by providing additional shelter to hide from predators such as feral/pet cats, raccoons, hawks, etc. The potential issue with this action is the possibility that the snakes will not use the artificial shelter.

    7.     Provide educational information about the herpetofauna community and the conservation efforts in Barry Park.

·      The focus of this objective is on increasing awareness of the herpetofauna community and the need for conservation to the recreational users of Barry Park. This will be accomplished through placing informational signs throughout the park regarding specific species of reptiles and amphibians, conservation efforts, habitat importance, etc. Also, we will create a website devoted to educating people about the conservation of herpetofauna communities in Barry Park, and how they can help. The primary issues with communicating to the public about these topics are generating interest and finding an information outlet that guarantees they will see the message.

To determine the success of objectives 1-6 we will conduct an inventory of the herpetofauna community in Barry Park prior to the implementation of our management actions, and inventories will then be conducted each year after the implementation of our management actions for 10 years. In regards to objective 7, we will determine success by distributing a survey each year to the neighborhood residents that asks several short questions about the species in the park and the conservation effort. Also, the survey will ask several short opinion based questions and include a comments section that allows the residents to express their views on the conservation efforts.