Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program (FEP) is pleased to receive an Ecological Restoration Grant from Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley. The funding will support the installation of deer exclosure fencing to protect a population of Leatherwood (Dirca palustris), a rare native shrub in the Hudson Valley that suffers from heavy deer browse in the winter.
Leatherwood has been historically used by Indigenous peoples and colonists for cordage due to its flexible fibers. The Farmscape Ecology Program has only documented 11 locations in Columbia County with Leatherwood plants, and most have only a few. In the winter of 2023/24, wildlife ecologist and FEP co-director Conrad Vispo flagged a population of 160 Leatherwood plants along the Agawamuck Creek adjacent to Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School.
“We are grateful that PCA is willing to fund our efforts to protect this species,” says Conrad. “It will be interesting to see what the potential is for the growth and reproduction of Leatherwood once it is released from deer pressure.”
The extensive damage from deer browse can be seen on these tagged Leatherwood plants in the Hawthorne Valley Leatherwood patch that will soon be protected from such browse by a deer exclosure.
FEP will work with forester Annabel Roberts-McMichael of Tend and Gather Forestry to design and install the deer exclosure. The project will also include interpretive signage to inform visitors about the project.
“We are excited to share information on Leatherwood that will help the community get to know this rare plant, and also be able to visually track changes and observe the positive impact the project has on conservation efforts over time,” says Anna Duhon, FEP co-director.
The deer enclosure will be installed in March, and has the added benefit of protecting a rich spring wildflower population that grows among the Leatherwood.
Farmscape Ecology Program
For over 20 years, the Farmscape Ecology Program has sought to encourage an informed compassion for place through participatory research related to the ecology, agriculture, and cultural aspects the surrounding landscape, community outreach, facilitated discussions, presentations, and more. Learn more here.
Net Positive Initiative
This project is a part of Hawthorne Valley’s efforts to become a Net Positive campus by working to enhance our efforts in environmental conservation. Through the Net Positive Initiative, Hawthorne Valley seeks to contribute more to the natural world and its inhabitants than it extracts; to harmonize social, economic, and environmental needs; and to formalize and embed these commitments in every aspect of the organization. Learn more here.
