As the summer growing season comes to a close, we are also saying farewell to our BayCoast Bank Stewardship Interns, Alec Mauk and Benjamin Sisson.
Throughout the summer, interns are exposed to the many facets of conservation. Interns work on individual projects that deepen their own understanding of conservation, stewardship, and public-facing properties.
Interns are tasked with creating a project that highlights the intersection of their own interests with the work of the Land Trust.
Alec’s Food Forest for people, Insects and Animals
Alec’s created a native plant-edible food forest, installed at Mill Pond, as an expansion of the orchard and raised bed garden already in place. A cost-effective, low-maintenance green space, the food forest fosters community ties and provides an enduring place where people can gather, learn, and create memories for years to come.
Inspired by Efficiency
As Alec mowed around the trees, he considered ways to lessen the burden of mowing on this small area. Alec presented a plan to reduce the frequency of mowing and enhance the habitat for people and pollinators alike: plant edible native shrubs and perennials and allow the turf grasses to grow into a no-mow meadow.
Allowing the meadow to flower and introducing new species provides additional edibles to the landscape. It also lengthens and strengthens the plants in flower at any one time, extending and deepening the habitat of pollinators and the entire ecosystem.
The project involved tailoring the maintenance schedule to encourage a flowering meadow, acquiring and installing native forage-able plants, and performing weekly maintenance of both the plantings and the site. You can read more about Alec’s project, including the plants chosen, here.
Developing Stewardship Skills
This was Benjamin’s first year working in stewardship and he spent the summer learning the basics of stewardship through several smaller, short-term projects that would really improve visitor experiences at our properties.
Stairs to Last a Lifetime
For his final project, Benjamin replaced the stairs that lead to the plateau at Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area. This required investigating the current stair. Built more than 10 years ago out of pressure-treated wood, the stairs were in need of repair or replacement.
Together, we decided to replace the stairs with scrap granite we had at the stewardship shop. These would last significantly longer and be a better choice for the soil and plants around the stair site.
Success is based in planning
Dunham’s Brook is a popular walking area, and removing the stairs for longer than a few hours was out of the question. Completing the project during one working day meant planning for the removal of the stairs, reseating the slope, and placing the granite–as well as transporting the stone from the shop at Westport Woods and bringing in equipment.
Once the equipment and stones were on site, Benjamin took part in removing the pressure-treated wood, excavating the slope, and setting the new stones.
The one piece we couldn’t get to in one day was the railing. It’s coming!
Please contact Nate@WestportLandTrust.org for more information about our internship programs.