Since late 2013, WLT has been engaged in a major project at the Westchester Wilderness Walk/Zofnass Family Preserve (WWW/ZFP) in Pound Ridge, thanks to a generous grant from Renee Ring and Paul Zofnass. The Preserve consists of more than 150 acres and trails that provide a hiker with the opportunity to walk nearly 10 miles. WWW/ZFP is an “Ambassador Preserve” for our organization – i.e., a landscape that because of its unique and welcoming environment, better connects the public to the land, motivates their involvement and inspires their commitment. Thanks to the work of scientists and interns from the New York Botanical Garden involved in an ongoing cataloguing of the plant species found within the preserve, and an ongoing partnership with the Invasives Species Strike Force of the New York – New Jersey Trails Conference, two key areas were identified as sites for an enhancement project – one at the Southern Loop/Western Loop and the other at the Eastern Loop, West Side. Both areas were selected because they support a rich diversity of plant species under severe pressure from grazing by deer and competition from invasive plants, as well as because of their proximity to a main trail.

The project includes:

• Installing two deer exclosures (each roughly an acre)
• The removal of invasive shrubs in each exclosure
• An inventory of all plants within the study area. This work was done by 2014 summer intern, Kristen Gamboa.
• Capturing ‘baseline’ conditions through photographs and a 3-D photosynth
• The planting of native shrubs and wildflowers
• We will periodically inventory plants in the exclosures to track expected changes. We predict seeing many more wildflowers, shrubs and saplings growing safely in the exclosures.

By keeping deer out of these sites, WLT will demonstrate just how much white-tail deer shape our forests. While experiencing the WWW/ZFP, visitors are encouraged to stop by the deer exclosures and look through the fence. Over time, there will be lots to see! Similar deer exclosures can be seen at the Mianus River Gorge, Teatown Lake Reservation and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.