AG 2017 10 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Tag You're It Cabarrus County Active Living and Parks recently r started a fish tagging incentive program.The County developed the incentive program to address overfish- ing in park ponds. Staff members caught and tagged various fish from Camp T.N. Spencer and Rob Wal- lace parks.The program encourages anglers to bring tagged fish to the ranger to have it confirmed,take i some measurements,pictures,etc.By reporting and releasing,the anglers could win free bait for a year, an annual fishing pass,tackle or even a rod and reel. Conservation Efforts Hope Floats in Cabarrus .. Cabarrus County Active Living and Parks makes A half-acre meadow and floating islands are the new- efforts to add habitat to our park system and survey est addition to the Cabarrus County Active Living and what is found living in or passing through the parks. x Parks conservation plan.In its second year,the plan This year,the department added more than 700 includes annual species surveying,habitat restoration, square feet of pollinator plantings to one of the bio non-native invasive plant removal and park clean- retention swales at Frank Liske Park.The planting ups.The floating islands were put together by Eagle included species of oxeye daisy,tropical milkweed, Scout Riley Webb,who crafted four floating islands meadow blazing star,American columbine,cardinal in two different designs.The islands improve and add flower and black-eyed susans. habitat for fish,birds and pollinators.The Islands also For the third year, staff documented plants and ani- filter nutrients out of the water,creating a healthier mals in order to manage or keep habitat for certain water quality for the natural residents.Plans for the species.Using volunteer photographers,staff and next year include expansion of a wildflower storm trail cameras volunteers documented 283 species. water swale,a kudzu removal project,and additional An example of the program's success is the documen- floating islands and meadows. tation of monarch caterpillars.In 2016,volunteers collected 110,the most ever documented,due to increased milkweed planting. Feel the Burn - - - - A control burn of a managed natural wildflower meadow at Camp TN spencer Park took place in 2016.Staff drug a fire line to control the burn on the wooded side and the NC Forest Service operated the prescribed burn.Managed meadows are extremely important to the surrounding ecosystem and a crucial habitat for wildlife.Butterflies,moths, pp assho ers, ._ F, field mice,rabbits,hawks and many more rely on the variety of grasses,shrubs and flowers for food and ! shelter,which supports the larger food web.The burn �lr►' r i was performed with the assistance of the Cabarrus ' County Soil and Water Conservation District,andII' r Cabarrus County Infrastructure and Asset Manage- I ment and Active Living and Parks departments.