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Cityof Louisville <br />PARKS &. RECREATION <br />MEMORANDUM <br />To: Open Space Advisory Board <br />From: Open Space Division <br />Date: December 11, 2024 <br />Re: Information Item 6: Staff Updates <br />Natural Resources: <br />1. Siberian elm removals at North Open Space have been completed. Tree forts, dead <br />wood and live hazard trees have also been removed from the forest stand at the North <br />end of North Open Space. Staff also marked and retained +25 snags for wildlife habitat <br />and nesting. Staff have begun reseeding areas of small and localized disturbance <br />following the forestry work at North Open Space. Staff is using a blend of our shortgrass <br />and prairie restoration mix. <br />2. The City of Louisville herbarium is officially live. The herbarium will cycle through several <br />different native plants that were collected on Open Space properties. Native seed <br />packets are available via the Library's seed collection. <br />3. Open Space Staff will be presenting about the herbarium on January 7, 2024 from 6-7 <br />pm. <br />4. Open Space Staff have seeded Smooth Brome test plots located at North Open Space. <br />5. Open Space Staff has re -seeded select areas on Dutch Creek following goat grazing and <br />prickly lettuce treatments. <br />6. Herbicide treatments have been scheduled on select Open Space properties for <br />December 3-6 for cheat grass control. <br />7. 2024 Raptor monitoring results: Staff and volunteers monitored 18 raptor nests <br />including great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, Swainson's hawks, <br />and Cooper's hawks. Fifteen nests were occupied, and 37 young were visually observed <br />with 36 chicks fledged or assumed fledged. One chick and one nest failed. Volunteers <br />contributed 46.45 hours to monitoring efforts. <br />Maintenance & Trails: <br />1. The "Hecla Lake Open Space Shoreline Protection Fencing Project" is in the final stages of <br />completion. Staff met with the contractors on Thursday, November 21, 2024, to discuss <br />end of project punch -list items. <br />2. Staff is in the process of formalizing an agreement with Whitestone Construction Services, <br />INC to begin work on the capital improvement project "Installation of Trail Access & <br />Emergency Closure Infrastructure Project". <br />