Green Heron Habitat Management Plan

The goal of the habitat management plan for the green heron, (Butorides virescens) is to improve population. (Management actions cite) Though the green heron is a common specie in New England, but it is not frequency spotted on the campus of University of Massachusetts (UMass) because there is too much human and wildlife interaction for such a solidary bird, like the green heron. There is a lot of disturbance and loss of wetland forested areas that destroys the ideal habitat for a green heron. Here are a few management plans that can be used on campus to improve the habitat.
First, UMass should not construct new buildings that are within 100 meters from wetlands. Northwest and sylvan woods are major, (viable) wetlands, while orchard hill …show more content…
Planting more shrubbery and allowing snags to form in small wetland areas like Orchard Hill, would improve habitat for green herons. Large areas like Sylvan Woods and Northwest are sufficiently forested. An increase in shrubs and small trees can provide more nesting areas for green herons. The growth of woody shrubbery also provide more branches for herons to perch on to hunt for food like minnows. Wetland (reconstruction) can be incorporated into the UMass Landscape Architecture and regional planning department. The department could set up an overall plant layout for Orchard Hill wetlands that improves habitat, but is functional for campus. A volunteer event like MassImpact would be a good platform for students to volunteer to plant trees and shrubs. There would be no space for shrub planting since, the Master plan conflicts with this management plan. UMass’s proposed master plan is 3 dorms above Van Meter and Orchard Hill. This construction will destroy some of the natural lands near the Orchard Hill observatory. There is no opportunity to plant more shrubbery, if the university plans to remove this