for Planting Pollination Four-year project aims to ensure improved pollinator habitat at World’s End

BY JOSEPHINE BRENNAN, TRUSTEES STAFF

Nestled along the coast of Hingham, World’s End’s 251 acres are lined with Frederick Law Olmsted-designed carriage paths that lead visitors through stunning and diverse ecosystems. The habitats at World’s End make it even more the unique wonder that it is—from the cultural grasslands and oak-hickory forest to the maritime juniper woodland, salt marsh, shrub swamp and coastal beaches, the area is home to many important species that add to World’s End’s natural beauty.

Over time, non-native invasive species and certain woody species, shrubs, and vines have become dominant in the many fields at World’s End, negatively impacting the plants and habitat for native conditions that native pollinators rely on. To improve habitat for these pollinators, grassland birds, and other native species, The Trustees has undertaken a multi-year pollinator habitat improvement project across the reservation’s existing grassland and field habitats. Now in its second of four years, the project was developed in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service with guidance from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Because native insects, including pollinators, are currently faced with a barrage of threats including habitat loss, pesticide use, non-native species, deer overabundance, and climate change, The Trustees—at World’s End and many other reservations—actively works to reduce threats and improve habitats for our native species. In the past year, for example, The Trustees collaborated with the National Park Service (NPS) on a volunteer effort at World’s End in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Boston Harbor Islands.

Taking Back the Land

The multi-year project includes both the development and enactment of a sitespecific conservation plan outlining actions necessary for the improvement, restoration, enhancement, or expansion of flower-rich habitat that supports native pollinators such as bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. This process began with the evaluation of the existing conditions, uses, and options for improvement to each of World’s End’s 20 fields.

Hayfields are being enhanced by adding forage-friendly legumes that will increase floral resources for pollinators while also supporting hay growth. Fields where invasive and undesirable woody species are found, threatening the longevity and sustainability of new wildflower meadows, are being treated with a targeted herbicide. In other fields that are specifically managed for pollinator habitat, a similar method is being used alongside the creation of pollinator-friendly strips of vegetation. By making these changes, Trustees ecologists can address existing habitat deficiencies through the provision of a consistent source of nectar and pollen throughout the season. The plantings will also provide more butterfly host plants, as well as structure for nest sites and cover. Increased wildflower habitat brings with it an increase in the overall abundance of insects, which in turn benefits grassland birds, songbirds, and other insectivores (animals that feed solely on insects).

Setting the Scene for Success

Once the fields are cleared of undesirable vegetation and planting begins, a no-till seed drill will be used to plant the native wildflowers and grasses. This drill allows seeding into existing healthy and helpful vegetation and into prepared seed beds. When the fields are ready, planting will happen in the fall in order to guarantee increased germination success. But, while we all want to see this transformation happen overnight, it may take a year or two before some of the wildflowers bloom in abundance, as the small seeds need time to grow into mature plants.

Field management is an ongoing process and the pollinator enhancement plan also includes carefully considered management practices for continuous review and implementation of meadow and wildflower habitat. Ongoing control of invasive species and of non-native species that are overly aggressive are an important part of maintaining the diverse meadow plant communities Trustees ecologists are creating.