Revitalizing Fern Tor: Professor and Students Work to Protect Nature Preserve from Invasive Species

Source: Hartley Walker-Money

The 13-acre nature preserve on the North end of the Marist College campus has been handed down through many generations of owners — one of them being Marist College. This preserve, known as Fern Tor, is a peaceful, quiet place utilized for a variety of activities including hiking, meditation and school instruction. Fern Tor has caught the eye of many faculty and students, including Dr. Richard Feldman, an associate professor of environmental science at Marist. 

The nature preserve has undergone a variety of proposals to control the ongoing issue of the Japanese knotweed, an invasive species that has made itself at home in Fern Tor. Alongside students from both his introductory and capping-level courses, Feldman has shown an immense and dedicated effort to maintain the land and control the invasive species.

Since 2010, Feldman has performed species management at Fern Tor, and he works with students each year to add to the advisement plan, creating a report of next steps for the nature preserve. This year has been especially popular for Fern Tor, as more and more professors bring their classes out to enjoy the area.

This summer, the nature preserve underwent the most significant progress thus far, as Feldman received word about the plan to implement more native species, which will help the property control the Japanese knotweed. 

This invasive Japanese knotweed is known for being a rapidly-growing and nearly impossible plant to eliminate. The thick-stemmed plant can grow about 2 centimeters a day, reaching a height of 3 to 15 feet in height, easily overpowering other native plant neighbors. The bamboo-looking plant successfully grows in areas vulnerable to erosion, or where natural vegetation is nonexistent. The species is also extremely resilient, successfully enduring lack of sunlight, temperature changes and various soil and moisture conditions. 

Being such a highly-invasive and difficult to control species, the Japanese knotweed has truly been an ongoing issue for Fern Tor. It has weakened the diversity of other native plants, which dedicated students have committed to bringing under control. 

Gabe Mongeau ‘21 has turned Fern Tor into an independent research project. “We have chosen an area around the small stream that runs through Fern Tor. Through the Trees for Tribs program, we will be able to plant native species along it, he says. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s Trees for Tribs program is a statewide initiative that works to reforest the state’s creeks and streams with trees and shrubs.

“The planting will require a lot of planning regarding the best location for each species and coordinating with volunteers. Hopefully, the species we plant will be able to get established without being choked out by the Knotweed,” Mongeau said. “Then, in the future they will support the reintroduction of other native species.” 

Feldman expressed that the progress to eliminate the invasive species and maintain Fern Tor has been a lot of work — but “it has been rewarding.” There have been multiple weekends during which committed students, faculty, and other volunteers worked together to dig holes for plant saplings. 

Feldman emphasized that this environment is a beneficial place for counseling, instruction and exercise. He explained that he wants others to enjoy the preserve, but wants them to recognize that although they can come and go as they please, to “leave no sign that you were here,” and “carry in, carry out.” 

For about a year, there has been progress towards making a new hiking trail, and new signs have been put up. So far there have been many positive physical improvements to the nature preserve, with great potential for more. Due to COVID-19, the idea to build a kiosk for Fern Tor was declined, but faculty and individuals hope to create an online map and informational brochure for visitors in the future. Feldman wishes for a “social media presence” run by dedicated students for the nature preserve as well.