Continued from page 27 will be evaluated the fall , for potential partial replanting . Apple orchards : The fence around apple trees on east side of field # 1 has kept the elk away from the trees . An additional two wires have been added and wire respaced to attempt to keep the deer out . Late frost and gypsy moth infestation has reduced potential apple harvest . There are six different varieties of apples in this orchard .
The solar panel powered electric fence located east of field # 3 has kept the elk out for three years now . Plan to keep this fence until trees are above the reach of elk , at least two more years . There are six different varieties in this orchard . There may be a few apples available for harvest this fall . Forestry “ Sub-Committee ”: A forestry sub-committee was formed ( eleven volunteers ) following the August Conservation Committee meeting . The purpose of the Committee will be to examine some of the concerns expressed by some Board members with the current CCR Forest & Wildlife Plan ; including items such as aesthetics , ability to walk through the stands following a treatment , oak treatments , and possible chipping options . NATURE / HIKING TRAILS
CCR has ( 6 ) hiking trails . They are : Northern Harwood Trail , Cedar Swamp Trail , Aspen Trail , Jack Pine Trail , Pin Oak Trail , and the Red Oak Trail
. Several members & their families have in the past volunteered to “ adopt ” a trail and perform the once or twice a year required maintenance . There are still a couple of trails available to be “ adopted ”. Contact Nancy Thurston if interested . Thank you to all those who volunteered ! CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR
The 2020 Merritt Clark Conservationist of the Year Award was presented to two recipients at this year ’ s July Beach
Bash . They were Nancy Thurston and Chuck Thurston . Congratulations to both — well deserved ! STREAM
The Montmorency County Conservation crew worked on the creek again this past summer . This year ’ s work was completed by the middle of July . All of the work ( mainly re-building old structures ) took place between Wilson Bridge and Wadsworth Bridge . Temperature loggers were again placed in the creek Memorial week- end and will be removed around Labor Day .
There is a fair amount of beaver activity throughout the Black River Watershed , including on the Canada . A large beaver dam just north of CCR ’ s wire is a major concern . Other areas of known beaver problems include a dam just south of the north wire , as well as noticeable beaver activity along the Montague and on the Canada north of the southern “ sand trap ” and south of “ Gravel Bottom ”. Manager Brian Rogers is considering hiring a trapper ; however would like to first give trapping opportunities to the few members that trap . NON-GAME WILDLIFE MONITORING / MAINTENANCE
Artificial Nesting Islands ( ANI ) were deployed on Wildfowl , Geneva , and Bear Den Lakes in April shortly after ice-out . The Wildfowl and Bear Den nests were occupied in May . Two chicks hatched on Bear Den in early June and hopefully will fledge in late-summer . The nesting on the Wildfowl was abandoned in mid- May . The reason ( s ) are not certain . The pair re-nested on a natural site and produced one chick later in June . The chick matured quickly and should be ready to fledge in September . Lake Geneva did not produce a hatch . Strong spring winds stripped some of the nesting material from the nest . Loss of some floatation also compromised the nests on Wildfowl and Geneva . Both will be replaced or repaired for next spring .
CCR volunteers ( individuals & families ) continued bluebird monitoring in 2020 . Activity includes reporting the nesting , hatching and fledging activity on and around the Ranch . Birdhouse maintenance and replacement is also a major part of this activity . If interested in volunteering please contact Paula Rivard .
Additional volunteer work continues to monitor the frog / snake populations , and to encourage Wood Duck nesting on the Ranch . 2020 CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS :
The April , May and June Conservation Committee meetings were canceled because of Covid19 restrictions . A summary of the three month conservation related activity was sent out to the Committee members and the Board in June . The July meeting was held in the Bickley room with social distancing protocols in place . The August and September meetings were held outdoors at the beach pavilion .
This report was respectfully submitted to CCR Manager-Brian Rogers and the CCR Board of Directors by : Ted
Piechota & Dave Weber ( Conservation Committee Co-Chairs ) on 9-02-2020 .
( Sub-Committee members contributed significantly to this report ). 28