Habitat Mowing
To maintain the diverse landscape of Hullett Marsh, we employ a successional mowing strategy that mimics natural disturbances like fire to effectively reset the biological clock. Left unmanaged, our open meadows would naturally revert to forest, leading to the loss of critical habitat for grassland-dependent species such as the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). By systematically mowing specific blocks of meadow, we actively target and suppress woody shrubs and invasive species—particularly Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)—before they can establish monocultures that choke out native flora. This deliberate management creates a patchwork of varying vegetation heights across our grasslands, ensuring a constant availability of fresh growth for foraging and dense cover for nesting.
Mow Mowing, Less Problems
Keeping our eyes on the mowing
Conservation mowing at Hullett is a precise operation governed by ecological timing rather than aesthetics. To protect the very wildlife we aim to support, we strictly adhere to a delayed mowing schedule, waiting until late summer or early autumn to ensure that ground-nesting birds have fledged and the fawns of the White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are mobile enough to safely relocate. Rather than clearing entire fields, we utilize rotational strip and patch mowing, leaving large swaths of standing "refuge cover" to provide essential winter forage and thermal protection for small mammals and birds. This rotational approach also ensures that late-season wildflowers remain available for the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) and other pollinators, maintaining the marsh's biological engine throughout the year while preventing the landscape from becoming a static environment.