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• Monitor and record first-year progress as seeds germinate and plants mature.

• Execute spot removal of invasive and undesirable species as necessary with the use of approved herbicides around wetlands and ponds. (e.g., Glyphosate or Rodeo.)

• Monitor and control undesired woody species formation, such as cottonwood, maple or poplar.

• Manage sections of wetland as needed by mowing, burning or cutting down unwanted brush.

• Burning in the third year or thereafter is an alternative to mowing.

• Leave sections unmanaged to provide habitat around wetlands.

• Leave some areas undisturbed, except for minimal invasive control, to allow for natural succession.

• Rotate management techniques as needed to maintain wetland habitat.

• Imitate seasonal changes to benefit species establishment where artificial systems are in effect to the control water table.

Pond Communities

Ponds play a vital role for storm water management. They provide recreational opportunities for humans and sanctuary for a variety of wildlife plants and insects. Most of the ponds within the park system are stocked with fish.

The overall ecological balance of the pond environment should be monitored and maintained to ensure continued enjoyment, while preserving the desired water quality standards. To achieve this, attitudes toward what is considered to be appropriate maintenance must be altered.

There is a general, but undesirable, expectation that all ponds within the park system will be free of excess aquatic vegetation.

Most of the ponds within the park system exist for storm water management and to improve the water quality before the water enters natural stream corridors.

As water enters the ponds, it brings excess fertilizers, pet waste and pesticides from the surrounding land. The nutrients in the fertilizers and pet waste cause excessive growth of aquatic vegetation.

When routine rainfall occurs, much of the