Milford Mirror

Environmentalists want steward to save open space

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 February 2012 14:11 Written by Jill K. Dion
Thursday, 16 February 2012 10:53

As Milford resident Steve Johnson accepted a $4,400 grant for his environmental work in Milford, he pointed out that much more can be done to protect the city’s natural treasures.

Johnson, who has done a great deal of work at the city-owned Solomon property behind Eisenhower Park, said the city must fund a land steward to protect the city’s natural resources.

He said the Solomon property has become a “lawless playground” for ATVs, hunting and paintball, and is littered with beer cans.

The city bought the property in 2002 to protect it and preserve its unique environmental beauty for residents, but it “has been a victim of our neglect,” Johnson said.

Members of the Milford Environmental Protection Initiative (MEPI) awarded grants to Johnson and Foran High School freshman Christian Lofthouse during a Board of Aldermen’s meeting last week.

The environmental group’s mission has been to provide financial support for environmental projects that lead to the protection, preservation or better use of Milford’s natural resources.

It awarded Johnson the grant after asking him to draw up a proposal for a project that would lay the groundwork for managing the Solomon property and provide a model for managing other open space areas in Milford.

Johnson has already worked at the Solomon property to identify the users of the ATVs and four-wheel drives that environmentalists say have devastated the property. The second step was to begin clearing the area of hundreds of pounds of trash and fallen trees.

A concurrent step was to connect, communicate and cooperate with the municipal agencies responsible for the protection of city property.

“All this Steve accomplished even before receiving this grant,” said MEPI member Barbara Milton. “Steve’s future plans include leading stewardship walks and workshops for volunteer stewards. Perhaps his biggest role will be to help secure city funding for an open space manager.”

Christian Lofthouse received a $500 grant for his Eagle Scout project, which focuses on Eisenhower Park.

His proposal is to plant mast — woody plants, fruit trees, shrubs, or vines that provide food for wildlife — in the park.

“This would include the planting of crabapple and American chestnut trees, as well as the planting of wildflowers to enhance the pollination of trees,” MEPI members said in a written statement. “He has consulted with state experts and the Tree Commission in preparation for this project.”

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