Acadia National Park Revegetation Program 2004 Annual Report

Langley, Geneva; Gregory, Linda

'Executive Summary: In 2004, a total of nine revegetation sites were planted or maintained in Acadia National Park. Eight new sites were revegetated using genetically native plants and seed. Additional work was completed at one previously revegetated site using donated plants from friends of Acadia. Goals for revegetation projects include restoring native vegetation following construction and trail maintenance, mitigating visitor use degradation, and to establish screening. Overall, 7.19 acres of park land was planted and 533 personnel hours were invested in revegetation projects. A total of 1005 trees, 829 woody shrubs, 102 herbaceous plants, and 90.3 pounds of grass and wildflower seed were planted. Native plant materials were obtained via cooperative agreements (4500-02-001 and 4500-03-001) with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The park received 93 pounds of grass seed, 2094 container plants, and 1220 plugs propagated from seed or cuttings from park lands. Plant materials were stored at the parkÆs native plant nursery, which was actively maintained between May and October. Unused plants were over-wintered at the nursery. In 2004, quantitative monitoring of revegetation sites was postponed due to time and staffing constraints. Site monitoring will resume in 2005. Volunteer groups worked 299 hours, and the Acadia Youth Conservation Corps (AYCC) and other park staff assisted with revegetation projects. All sites were watered and tended throughout the summer. Digital photos were taken to document current conditions at the sites. At each new site, GPS points were taken to add to the Geographic Information System (GIS) map of all revegetation sites. Digital photographs and plant records are maintained in an Access database stored in the Resource Management network drive. To date, a total of 136 sites have been revegetated in Acadia National Park. ' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /ACADIA NATIONAL PARK/MOUNT DESERT ISLAND/