Gates Mills Land Conservancy
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March 14, 2023 | Newsletter Issue #3 |
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"Blush of Spring 3" by Jamie Morse |
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The Wilderness Corridor is the area of Gates Mills that forms the ridges and slopes of the Chagrin River valley. It stretches west from County Line Road to the Chagrin River and along the western border of the village. Wooded hillsides, magnificent ravines, streams holding native trout, meadows and beautiful mature forests characterize the balance of this land. This land creates the protective boundaries of Gates Mills' nine square miles, and is the main filtration for the ecosystem of the Chagrin River Valley.
These properties can be viewed on the map below highlighted in red.
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This year is our 35th Anniversary!
We are proud of the legacy that makes our Land Conservancy unique, and grateful to our founders who had the foresight to establish the GMLC. We hope you will celebrate with us by joining our lectures, walks and events this year.
Our Spring newsletter focuses on the Wilderness Corridor, the hillsides and ridges of dense forest that cradle the community and Chagrin River. Beneath these lands are underground rivers and groundwaters that act as the filtration system for the entire watershed. The dense forests of our Tree Canopy protect the structure of the hillsides and route rainwaters to the basin below leading to streams and the Chagrin River.
Our responsibilities as a Land Trust, includes monitoring and Inspecting Properties and Managing Invasives throughout all conserved properties. We are grateful for the Volunteers and students who partner with us to be environmental stewards of the land. And we hope you will enjoy reading about the history of one property in this Wilderness Corridor that serves as an outdoor classroom for multiple neighboring school districts.
Respectfully,
Nathaniel Smith
and the GMLC Board
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Happy 35th Anniversary, GMLC! |
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A "Statement of Purpose" was written in August of 1988, by a committee of 17 members of the community for the establishment of a Land Trust.
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Thirty-five years ago, a remarkable moment in Gates Mills history occurred when a group of visionaries had the incredible foresight “to preserve the traditional rural aspects of our village, preserve land and woods, animal habitats, watersheds and scenic open spaces.”
On July 27, 1988, Dr. Fred T. Suppes sent a letter to the “Prospective Members of the Organizing Committee to form a Gates Mills Land Trust”. “Well, we did it!”, Dr. Suppes said.
Mayor Dan Collister, Fred Suppes, Ray Burke, Tom Quintrell, Peter Hellman, Rindy Collister, Connie White, Bob Reitman, Rick Bole, Don Perris, Larry Salibra, Bob Sposito, Charles Sutherland, Sterling Newell, Steve Siemborski, Bill Stepanek and Sally Broome had unanimously voted to proceed with the formation of the Gates Mills Land Trust.
Thirty-five years later their legacy of Conservation and Preservation is stronger than ever, Thanks to You! Join us in celebrating our 35th Year with lectures, events, educational programs and articles about the land, river, and habitats that make up our community.
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David Butz and his lovely wife Lou. |
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David Butz,
Honorary Director
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Dave's contributions to GMLC are immeasurable. His passion for the land, knowledge of biology and his incredible sense of responsibility as a caretaker of the properties, provided incredible support to GMLC for many years.
In his 20 years of dedication to GMLC, Dave was always clearing brush, managing fallen trees, building fences and managing any number of needed tasks. He has been an invaluable asset, guiding and mentoring volunteers as good stewards of the land.
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"Evening Sun" by Jaime Morse |
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You may not know, that GMLC's mission and purpose is not to just hold purchased or donated lands and conservation easements.
The GMLC is accredited through the national Land Trust Alliance. As members of LTA we are required to inspect each property by identifying the overall health of the land and trees. Included in this effort is identification of invasive species, disease and damage from outside sources; filing documented reports and photographs; eliminating invasives and debris, building perimeter fences, and providing educational initiatives to maintain our accreditation.
Learn about the Land Trust Alliance and the standards GMLC follows...
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"A Tree Canopy is the layer of leaves, branches, and stems of trees that cover the ground when viewed from above. Tree canopy provides many benefits to society including moderating climate, reducing building energy use and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), improving air and water quality, mitigating rainfall runoff and flooding, enhancing human health and social well-being and lowering noise impacts. It provides wildlife habitat, enhances property values, and has aesthetic impacts to an environment.
Establishing a tree canopy goal is crucial for communities seeking to improve their natural environment and green infrastructure. A tree canopy assessment is the first step in this goal setting process, showing the amount of tree canopy currently present as well as the amount that could theoretically be established." (Nowak and Dwyer, 2007)
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Read more about...
"Our Local Tree Canopy", a lecture presentation given by Erick Carlson, PhD
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In 2019, Cuyahoga County conducted a “Tree Canopy Assessment Report” which identified a 5% loss in tree canopy in our area. They projected a staggering 14% loss by 2040. With this rate of decline, we must act to mitigate disease and infestation to our trees, and the additional impacts from pollution, chemicals and fertilizers.
The County put together a coalition of concerned organizations to take part in a tree planting program and is encouraging communities to create goals to improve their natural environment and green infrastructure.
Gates Mills Land Conservancy is trying to bring light to this issue and to encourage our Village and community to take part in protecting our canopy.
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The United States Coast Guard Radio Station and Barracks in 1941.
With contributions from:
Marcia Anselmo and Gail Palmer
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A Piece of History -
The Coast Guard Station
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In 1939 just prior to World War II, the U.S. government had concerns for the safety of our region and the Great Lakes. These concerns prompted them to locate an optimal site for a Coast Guard station to monitor activities on the Great Lakes and a site in Gates Mills was chosen....
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Mayfield Elementary Students with Landscape Instructor David Husat. |
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Gates Mills Environmental Education Center |
The Coast Guard Station lasted for 28 years on its Gates Mills site until it was decommissioned in 1968. Then, through the efforts of Dr. Robert G. Stabile, Superintendent of Mayfield Schools and the Mayfield School Board, the federal government deeded the property to the Mayfield City School District, stipulating that it be used for educational purposes for a minimum of 30 years.
The "Gates Mills Horticultural Center" was established during the 1973-74 school year. The program created a vocational path for students to learn horticulture, landscaping and floral design. But the history of the Gates Mills Environmental Center vocational school goes back years before its actual existence.
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"Tree of Heaven" is one of many invasives that may be hiding in your yard. |
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Nick Fletcher, an Upper School instructor of Antiquities at Hawken School, began teaching his classes outside in 2020 on Hawken’s 300 wooded acres. He started getting interested in native and invasive species in the forest and the benefits this education could have for Hawken students. Nick learned of the Land Conservancy’s efforts and got Hawken students involved in GMLC’s “School Collaborative”.
"Nature has been compromised by the introduction of so many species that it's really not possible to just plant something and walk away because these invasive species will move in and take over areas. While the State of Ohio manages a noxious weeds list that cannot be sold, there are dozens of other invasive plants not native to our area, that still can be purchased at the big box stores or the average nursery."
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Sherman Road invasives cleanup with our Volunteers, Mary Schmidt, Joan Lee, Cynthia Panzica.
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It is easy to feel overwhelmed by issues associated with our changing environment; changes in our watershed and river; the loss of native species, birds and insects; and the threats of disease to our tree canopy, but every person can make a difference by learning how to improve a small part of the environment around them.
Our Volunteers have a special interest and appreciation for maintaining the scenic landscape of our own community. They are interested in learning about conservation while making a contribution to the enhancement of our natural surroundings. Most importantly, the lessons learned in the process are transferable to our own homes and gardens.
This year we will have many opportunities for you to participate in your investment in the Gates Mills Land Conservancy's efforts!
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Upcoming Events
GMLC 2023 Spring Sherman Road lecture series...
"A Backyard Conversation" - Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation
Saturday, May 6, 2023 - 10:00-11:00 am
"Disposal of Invasives" - Mike Byers, Certified Arborist-Botanist-Ecologist Saturday, May13, 2023 - 10:00-11:00 am
"Maintaining our Tree Canopy" - John Kehn, ODNR Dept. of Forestry
Saturday, May 20, 2023 - 10:00-11:00 am
"Gates Mills Tree Species" - Jessica Miller, Holden Forests & Gardens Saturday, May 27, 2023 - 10:00-11:00 am
Audubon Society Bird Walks 2023 - John Lillich & Buster Banish
The following Sundays at 7:30am, "all welcome", or call: 440-463-5944
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Sunnybrook Preserve - Heath Road, Chester Township - April 16
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Orchard Hills Park - Caves Road, Chester Township - April 23
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Frohring Meadows - Savage Road, Bainbridge Township - April 30
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Squire Valleevue Farm - Fairmount Blvd., Hunting Valley - May 7
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White North Property - Chagrin River Road, Hunting Valley - May 14
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Squire Valleevue Farm - Fairmount Blvd., Hunting Valley - May 21
Gates Mills Library - "Nurture with Nature" Series
"Let Your Soul Bloom" - florist Joni Young discusses her home farm business.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023, Gates Mills Library, 3:30-4:30 pm
"Our Wild Calling" - Connecting with Animals Can Transform Our Lives
by Richard Louv - how it can transform our mental, physical & spiritual lives.
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 7:30-8:30 pm
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Subscribe at:
Gates Mills Land Conservancy
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