A Fine Line
by Judy Mann

Providing outdoor recreation programs in a pristine setting such as a nature center is never an easy task. Yet, it can be done, if certain measures are taken to protect the delicate balance of nature. There is a fine line between preservation and desolation when dealing with large numbers of the public that we are obligated to serve.

Two essential ingredients for protecting natural settings are a Land Management Plan for each ecosystem and an Environmental Impact Statement for each program or project. By having a Land Management Plan, the natural areas can be maintained in such a state that they are healthy enough to withstand a certain amount of human impact without being seriously threatened. An Environmental Impact Statement should describe the effects that a program, special event or construction project may have on things such as wildlife habitat, native flora, water quality, and soil erosion. A thorough list of impacts should be developed for a given site and for each distinct ecosystem on that site.

A Land Management Plan for each distinct element on any given site is essential for protection. Mature woodlands require different management techniques than do prairies, ponds and large grassy areas. For instance, trails winding through a mature oakwood forest should have a layer of woodchips covering them in order to protect the health of the trees whose roots lay very close to the surface. High impact areas should have up to a six-inch layer.

Visitors should be required via park rules to remain on the mulched trails at all times so as not to disturb animals, wildflowers and young trees which need all the help they can get to reforest the woodlands. Even the youngest children will respect this simple rule if explained why the rule is needed. As additional protection, supervision of each group by park staff would help insure that the woodlands are protected.

Requiring chaperones with school groups and Scout groups; providing stimulating, meaningful, hands-on activities; using props, tools, worksheets; directing attention in a positive manner; not having a lot of "no" rules; encouraging the participant to act as a guest; and having an agenda for even the most casual nature walk can all serve to help protect the land. After all, what are certain park rules except part of a formula for land management?

Impact statements for each program will help head off any negative effects of running a program before it begins. You will want to know the effects on:

Water quality. Is there a pond or lake nearby that may be impacted? Will there be run-off from soil erosion, chemicals or some other substance that may pollute the water? Will it cause algae blooms or fish kills?

Water quantity. Is there enough water for drinking and washing-up? Do you need to take water from the pond or lake for watering new plantings? Will it cause the water level to drop and expose shoreline and breeding areas?

Flora. Will trees, shrubs, flowers be affected? Are areas likely to be trampled? Will people be tempted to pick the blooms? Will nails be driven in trees to hold signs? Will heavy machinery damage the understory?

Wildlife. Will the noise chase them away? Will their habitat be changed? Is there a place for them to take refuge?

Wildlife habitat. Are any nesting areas being disturbed? Is the food source being depleted? Are the trees and shrubs that provide shelter being uprooted?

Air quality. Will charcoal fires or campfires cause discomfort to participants? Will it chase away the wildlife? Will it destroy any of the habitat?

Soil erosion. Will grass be worn away in certain areas and expose the bare ground? Will heavily used trails be damaged? Are contractors required to control erosion?

Waste disposal. Are there enough containers? Are they emptied frequently? Are contractors required to haul away construction debris?

Energy. Do you need extra hook-ups for special events? How will extension cords be routed? Will the extra energy requirement overload the circuits? What alternatives should be used when the circuit breaker flips?

Access. Is access provided for everyone? Where will all the cars park? Will parking disturb the wildlife habitat? Do contractors use access routes laid out by staff?

Aesthetics. Will the event or program impact negatively on the natural beauty of the site? Is this an appropriate program for the site? Will signs and equipment look out of place? And what about balloons?

Economic impact. Will the program pay for itself? Will there be costs involved to pay for repairs after the event is over or the project has been completed? Will other income producing space be disturbed? Will other programs be displaced?

If your answer to any of these questions is "I don't know," then you should develop a mitigation plan to address the impact. When this is all figured out ahead of time, the impacts become minimal or non-existent. Any unavoidable adverse impacts should be identified. Decide whether or not this is something you want to live with and whether or not it is something the environment can sustain. If you can figure this out ahead of time, you maybe able to manage the land to head off a crisis. When this process is implemented for construction projects, mitigation and adverse impacts should always be written in the specs to avoid trouble. Why not do this for your programs and special events?

Any Land Management Plan or Environmental Impact Statements should have the full approval of the board. In some instances, especially for large special events or construction projects, prior board approval of impact statements may be required. Any additional concerns of the board can be addressed before final approval is given.

If staff does not have time to develop site specific land management plans or impact statements, think about getting a forestry intern to help out. The University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University each have a Forestry Department. Contact them for information. If there is not a qualified supervisor on staff, look for someone from the extension service, Department of Conservation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Soul Conservation Service, or one of your landscape contractors. The intern can do a tree inventory, assess damage from past use of the site, recommend specific actions for remediation and help eradicate nuisance or "exotic" plants.

Natural areas used for recreation, whether active recreation or passive recreation, will not stay that way for long if not properly managed. A pro-active land management plan and detailed environmental impact analysis will keep the natural areas healthy for future generations to enjoy.

Conservation, preservation, recreation—do they mix? You bet!

About the Author

Judy Mann is the Director of the Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, a joint project of the Homewood-Flossmoor and Olympia Fields Park District.