The Citizen
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Wildlife biologist Jim Eckler looks out over the grasslands bordering the wetlands at Marten's Tract on the Northern Montezuma Wetlands Complex. The Habitat Projects field trip was sponsored by the Finger Lakes Chapter of Pheasants Forever Thursday, in Savannah. Eckler works for the Region 8 Bureau of Wildlife with the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Wildlife biologist Jim Eckler looks out over the grasslands bordering the wetlands at Marten's Tract on the Northern Montezuma Wetlands Complex. The Habitat Projects field trip was sponsored by the Finger Lakes Chapter of Pheasants Forever Thursday, in Savannah. Eckler works for the Region 8 Bureau of Wildlife with the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Birds chirping and insects buzzing is music to the ears.
“We know we did a good job when you hear all the songs,” said Pheasants Forever Finger Lakes Chapter No. 270 special projects coordinator Tim Noga.
The group ensures wildlife in the region continues to flourish and stays protected. Working with the Department of Environmental Conservation and other sportsmen's clubs like Ducks Unlimited and the Turkey Federation, the Montezuma Wetlands Complex in Savannah has been wildly restored and sustained.
At the chapter's annual field trip the public was taken through areas of the complex where they can see first hand the work being done. The group traveled to view a pre-finished audubon center, Martens Tract and finally Howland's Island. The group raises money for its projects at a yearly fundrasier.
Every dollar earned by the group stays local and is used for habitat and educational purposes. It is used for events like Thursday's field trip but also to buy grass seed, which could cost upward of $7,000 to plant a field or $600 an ounce for certain wildflower seeds. It might also be used for maintenance, as Noga said he doesn't foresee much planting in the very near future, only maintenance.
“We decide what to do with the money,” he said.
They have taken on the task of restoring the grasslands within the complex. Taking crop fields or muck land and planting grass and wild flower seeds, which in turn creates more habitat for wildlife.
The lack of habitat was becoming a threat to the many species of birds. “All birds need grassland to survive,” explained Noga, noting some need many acres to live comfortably and that the wildflowers draw insects back to the land.
Restoration is a way to create the environment needed to support this wildlife.
The local chapter was the 270th of the now more than 900 chapters in the nation. Since its inception, the amount of bird species has grown in the wetland complex. Noticing an increase in one bird species was a good sign for the group.
“When we see an increase in pheasants, we know there's an increase in other birds,” Noga said.
Four years ago, the first recorded sighting of a sand hill crane in the state's history occurred on the complex, according to DEC representative Dave Odell.
The trails through the wetlands make it welcoming for the public to explore - on foot of course. A trip through, as discovered on the field trip, unlocks nature and puts it in the palm of the hand.
“I call it Cayuga County's wilderness,” Noga said.
Building the grasslands up in a wetland environment makes the habitat diverse, which attracts a more diverse habitat. “There's a bunch of different critters who all need the same habitat,” he said.
Among the 3,500 acres and multiple ponds, wildlife ranging from deer, bullfrogs, beavers, blue herons, ducks, rabbits and even two eagles' nests might be witnessed among countless other species.
“You name it; we've got it,” Odell said.
This is all due to the continued work of the Pheasants Forever and the other wildlife groups.
After the land is planted with a variety of grass species, it might take three years before they really start to see it taking shape. And then a major part of the job becomes maintaining the land. Burning is done to keep trees from taking over the open fields; it too helps the land continue to grow because valuable nutrients are found in the ashes, Noga said. Mowing every few years is also a way to keep the area managed.
“Fields will turn into forests if you don't mow or burn,” Odell said.
DEC members on the trip pointed out the endangered birds coming back. Working closely with the Pheasants Forever, close to $40,000 has been spent on the complex and another $40,000 on private lands.
“And it shows,” Noga said. “It gives you a good feeling to see your impact on wildlife.”
The DEC is also in the process of opening the Montezuma Audubon Center, which will be operated by New York Audubon The hope is for it to be a resource for education of the environment they are working to restore.
“We'll open in early October,” DEC representative Jim Eckler said. “It'll be an exciting day for us.”
The biggest classroom, however, is walking through the grasslands. One enthusiast on the field trip noted how much more diverse the land has become.
“That's good,” said Odell feeling pleased.
The groups try to keep the land diverse from the types of grass they plant - little blue stem, switch grass and deer tounge, just a few among many - to keeping a balance between the wetlands and grasslands.
“The more diverse the grass gets, the more diverse the wildlife gets,” Noga said.
Staff writer Laura Boyce can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 236 or at laura.boyce@lee.net
“We know we did a good job when you hear all the songs,” said Pheasants Forever Finger Lakes Chapter No. 270 special projects coordinator Tim Noga.
The group ensures wildlife in the region continues to flourish and stays protected. Working with the Department of Environmental Conservation and other sportsmen's clubs like Ducks Unlimited and the Turkey Federation, the Montezuma Wetlands Complex in Savannah has been wildly restored and sustained.
At the chapter's annual field trip the public was taken through areas of the complex where they can see first hand the work being done. The group traveled to view a pre-finished audubon center, Martens Tract and finally Howland's Island. The group raises money for its projects at a yearly fundrasier.
Every dollar earned by the group stays local and is used for habitat and educational purposes. It is used for events like Thursday's field trip but also to buy grass seed, which could cost upward of $7,000 to plant a field or $600 an ounce for certain wildflower seeds. It might also be used for maintenance, as Noga said he doesn't foresee much planting in the very near future, only maintenance.
“We decide what to do with the money,” he said.
They have taken on the task of restoring the grasslands within the complex. Taking crop fields or muck land and planting grass and wild flower seeds, which in turn creates more habitat for wildlife.
The lack of habitat was becoming a threat to the many species of birds. “All birds need grassland to survive,” explained Noga, noting some need many acres to live comfortably and that the wildflowers draw insects back to the land.
Restoration is a way to create the environment needed to support this wildlife.
The local chapter was the 270th of the now more than 900 chapters in the nation. Since its inception, the amount of bird species has grown in the wetland complex. Noticing an increase in one bird species was a good sign for the group.
“When we see an increase in pheasants, we know there's an increase in other birds,” Noga said.
Four years ago, the first recorded sighting of a sand hill crane in the state's history occurred on the complex, according to DEC representative Dave Odell.
The trails through the wetlands make it welcoming for the public to explore - on foot of course. A trip through, as discovered on the field trip, unlocks nature and puts it in the palm of the hand.
“I call it Cayuga County's wilderness,” Noga said.
Building the grasslands up in a wetland environment makes the habitat diverse, which attracts a more diverse habitat. “There's a bunch of different critters who all need the same habitat,” he said.
Among the 3,500 acres and multiple ponds, wildlife ranging from deer, bullfrogs, beavers, blue herons, ducks, rabbits and even two eagles' nests might be witnessed among countless other species.
“You name it; we've got it,” Odell said.
This is all due to the continued work of the Pheasants Forever and the other wildlife groups.
After the land is planted with a variety of grass species, it might take three years before they really start to see it taking shape. And then a major part of the job becomes maintaining the land. Burning is done to keep trees from taking over the open fields; it too helps the land continue to grow because valuable nutrients are found in the ashes, Noga said. Mowing every few years is also a way to keep the area managed.
“Fields will turn into forests if you don't mow or burn,” Odell said.
DEC members on the trip pointed out the endangered birds coming back. Working closely with the Pheasants Forever, close to $40,000 has been spent on the complex and another $40,000 on private lands.
“And it shows,” Noga said. “It gives you a good feeling to see your impact on wildlife.”
The DEC is also in the process of opening the Montezuma Audubon Center, which will be operated by New York Audubon The hope is for it to be a resource for education of the environment they are working to restore.
“We'll open in early October,” DEC representative Jim Eckler said. “It'll be an exciting day for us.”
The biggest classroom, however, is walking through the grasslands. One enthusiast on the field trip noted how much more diverse the land has become.
“That's good,” said Odell feeling pleased.
The groups try to keep the land diverse from the types of grass they plant - little blue stem, switch grass and deer tounge, just a few among many - to keeping a balance between the wetlands and grasslands.
“The more diverse the grass gets, the more diverse the wildlife gets,” Noga said.
Staff writer Laura Boyce can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 236 or at laura.boyce@lee.net
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