Habitat management at the Haagenson preserve

Volunteers working at the Haagenson preserve. Photo by Andy Rzeznikiewicz.

March 25, 2020 — Since last fall, a small group of neighbors and I have started a habitat rehabilitation project at the Harlo N. Haagenson Preserve, 137 Creek Row, East Haddam. 

We first cut all the trails back from the encroaching invasive bushes.  We cut many of the invasive bushes and vines — autumn olive, multiflora rose, privit, and burning bush — that had filled in the meadow at the scenic overlook. 

I also dropped numerous dead and dying ash trees that were blocking the view of the Connecticut River.  The trees are dead and dying from the non-native invasive insect called the Emerald Ash Borer, and from bittersweet vines. 

That completed the first two goals of the project. Phase three, this summer, involves removing the invasive bushes that re-sprout to help keep the meadow in grasses and wildflowers.  In phase four, we will keep pushing back more of the invasive bushes around the meadow and hilltop. 

From the vista you can now see the bridge that crosses the river by the Goodspeed Opera House.  As we were taking a break the other day, we watched a Bald Eagle as it flew down the river.

The view of the Connecticut River.

I’d like to thank Dirk Plas and his large tractor for helping push all the cut material out of the meadow and helping cut back the invasives along the trails.

John Matthew, Sean Donkin and his two sons Becket and Kevin helped cut and clear the reclaimed meadow. — Andy Rzeznikiewicz, Sanctuary Manager