Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
mowing few grassy areas. Both <strong>of</strong> these policies should continue at the preserve<br />
into the future.<br />
2. Control Goose Nesting – In early spring, goose eggs could be oiled to prevent<br />
hatching and should continue for several years (5 to 10 years) to reduce the size<br />
<strong>of</strong> the goose population. Oiling eggs is a simple, inexpensive, non-intrusive, and<br />
effective way to reduce goose populations and is much less controversial than<br />
capturing and killing geese.<br />
Myrmica rubra Ants<br />
A population <strong>of</strong> non-native Myrmica rubra ants occurs on the preserve and can<br />
cause problems when ants become aggressive and attack with a painful sting. The red<br />
colored ant, native to Europe where it causes few problems, lives under stones, fallen<br />
trees, and sometimes in the soil, <strong>of</strong>ten along woodland edges and riverbanks. The<br />
species is currently established in portions <strong>of</strong> Japan and North America where it is<br />
considered invasive and a nuisance. The ants were discovered on the preserve in the<br />
mid-1980’s and soon became such a serious pest that sections <strong>of</strong> the preserve needed<br />
to be closed to the public at times. Most problems occurred in the south central portion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the preserve where the population was largest (Brasure 1996). Several specialists<br />
have been consulted on controlling the species, including a visit by the famed<br />
entomologist and author E.O. Wilson.<br />
Since 1992 <strong>Tifft</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Preserve</strong> has been actively trying to control the Myrmica<br />
rubra ant populations. At first (1992-94), boric acid in peanut butter or sugar water bait<br />
were used, but were not effective in reducing ant numbers. In 1995, the preserve<br />
started applying the insecticide Amdro (active ingredient: 0.73% Hydramethylnon),<br />
which is dispensed in soybean oil on corn grits, following the emergence <strong>of</strong> ants in the<br />
spring (Brasure 1996). Monitoring after application has shown the insecticide to be<br />
effective at controlling the ants to levels where they are not a major concern. Effects<br />
from the insecticide on non-target organisms have not been observed. The active<br />
ingredient in Amdro has low toxicity for both oral and dermal exposure and is not listed<br />
as a carcinogen, but is toxic to fish and should not be applied directly to water.<br />
Therefore, due to the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> the product and its low toxicity, it is recommended<br />
that spring and summer applications <strong>of</strong> Amdro continue as needed to control Myrmica<br />
rubra ants on the preserve. Amdro is designated as a restricted use pesticide in New<br />
York State and product application requires Pesticide Applicator Certification by the<br />
NYS DEC, Division <strong>of</strong> Solid and Hazardous Waste, Bureau <strong>of</strong> Pesticides.<br />
Power Line <strong>Management</strong><br />
There are two sets <strong>of</strong> National Grid power lines running through or adjacent to<br />
the preserve. The set <strong>of</strong> large high voltage (115,000 volts) lines along the eastern edge<br />
<strong>of</strong> the cattail marsh are not located on City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Buffalo</strong> land (i.e. the preserve), but are on<br />
property owned by the power company. A lease agreement between the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>Buffalo</strong><br />
and the <strong>Buffalo</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> Natural <strong>Science</strong>s allows the Society to operate <strong>Tifft</strong> <strong>Nature</strong><br />
<strong>Preserve</strong> on city land. In this lease, the city has a wetland easement on the National<br />
<strong>Tifft</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Preserve</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> 41