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• III. Ecological Surveys of The Preserve's Conservation Areas From April through September 2005, CCES ecologists conducted spring and summer surveys of The Preserve Conservation Development site. Surveys were conducted throughout the entire 52.5 -acre conservation development site. Existing natural community remnants, semi - natural areas, and non - native dominated landscape types were assessed for their extent and relative quality, and restoration opportunities and needs were defined, on a conceptual basis, for these areas. The conservation development site plan was developed and refined based on the results of the 2005 ecological surveys. Once the conservation areas and easements were defined, CCES developed a restoration and management plan for The Preserve's permanent conservation areas and prescribed suitable natural communities to be restored to these areas (see Figures 4, 5 & 6). CCES ecologists identified, mapped, and surveyed several moderate to low to moderate quality natural community remnants and semi - natural vegetation types throughout The Preserve Conservation Development site. The vegetation and ecological habitats of the site at the time of the 2005 surveys were comprised of oak forests and oak woodland remnants, aspen woodlands, wet prairies, degraded wet meadows, degraded emergent marshes / cattail marshes, degraded shrub swamps, and non - native upland old fields and pastures. The location and extent of these natural community remnants and semi - natural areas are depicted in Figure 5, and brief descriptions of these areas are provided in the text below. Major Vegetation Types • Upland Communities and Cover Types • Upland areas in the conservation areas are comprised of mesic oak/aspen forest and old field. These forested areas are dominated by oak species (Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis), White Oak (Quercus alba), Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). The oak/aspen forest is of moderate quality, with an intact canopy. Management efforts within proposed oak forest/woodland conservation areas will focus on buckthorn management and the transplanting of salvaged herbaceous material from on -site. Native woodland herbaceous species can also be salvaged from non - conservations areas and transplanted in the conservation areas. The other predominant upland vegetation type is old field, most of which will be developed. Remaining old fields located within the conservations areas will be restored to dry prairie /savannas Wetland Communities and Cover Types Wet Prairie Remnants Two wet prairie remnants were documented in the northern portion of the property, with two rare specie populations documented by CCES ecologists. These wet prairie are somewhat degraded due to habitat fragmentation, fire suppression, partial site drainage, and invasive species. Management efforts should focus on the reintroduction of fire, monitoring of endangered species populations and invasive species control where necessary. Residential lots were located to avoid these unique and uncommon habitats. Wet prairies will be restored and managed through invasive species management, reduction of native and exotic woody species cover and abundance, and re- introduction of prescribed fire. The Preserve Conservation Development - Restoration and Management Plan 7