Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2020 05 13

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Memorandum To: Open Space Advisory Board From: Ember Brignull, Open Space Superintendent Date: May 13, 2020 Re: Staff Updates General:  The City has identified the Ranger Naturalist position as an essential position and has moved forward in the interview process. The City has completed second interviews.  Staff is verifying 2013 Flood information for FEMA review.  The American Kestrels nest box has five eggs! Live footage and videos of activity occurring in the nest box are available on the Open Space Division’s webpage. A news article about the nest box can be found here: https://www.dailycamera.com/2020/04/29/louisvilles-open- space-cameras-capture-american-kestrel-nesting-activities/. Lastly, a contest to guess the egg hatch dates was posted on the Open Space and Parks Facebook page.  Staff has installed signage and brochures for a Self-Guided Tour of Resource Management Areas on Davidson Mesa Open Space. The brochure and accompanying signs guide citizens on a tour of three resource management areas representing efforts to restore native grasslands. Brochures are available along the trail ¼ mile from the Davidson Mesa parking lot.  Staff has created a self-guided activity called “Explore Riparian Areas on Coal Creek Trail” to replace one of the in-person bi-monthly Ranger Walk. The download for this activity is available on the Open Space Division webpage.  Native grass restoration in progress: o Staff has re-seeded bare-ground areas on Dutch Creek, Aquarius, and Hecla Lake Open Space properties. o Staff has re-seeded bare-ground or sparse areas that resulted from the removal of encroachments on Open Space.  Herbicide applications will occur on multiple Open Space properties in May by hired contractor.  Volunteer programs and in-person educational programming have been postponed until the end of June due to COVID-19 concerns. At the end of June staff will reassess programing for the summer months.  Additional diffusers are being installed in the Warembourg fishing pond in May to increase oxygen in the pond and alleviate algae concerns.  Staff started an ongoing series on the Fans of Louisville Open Space and Parks Facebook page called Wildlife Species of the Week. Posts feature a photo(s) taken on open space and interesting facts about the animal. Species featured thus far: Ring-necked Duck, American Kestrel, Hogna Wolf Spider, and Black-crowned Night-heron. PARKS & RECREATION