Genesee County Park and Forest (GCPF) spans across 430 acres of forest and rolling hills. GCPF is home to various wildlife, trees and woodland plants. The park is located in the Black Creek watershed and has several ponds, wetlands and more. With over 10 miles of trail, the public has easy access to the many natural areas on site. GCPF offers various outreach and educational programs throughout the year and has made many conservation and restoration efforts, including planting over 169,000 trees since its establishment and supporting invasive species removal efforts. GCPF is supported by many community groups and organizations, and has an associated volunteer group focused on assisting the park, called the Association for the Conservation of Recreational and Natural Spaces (ACORNS).
Since 2018, WNY PRISM has partnered with Genesee County Park and Forest to manage slender false brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) on site, since this is a priority early detection species in the WNY PRISM region. Efforts include removal of this plant on site, surveys, educational programs and the installation of boot brush stations to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Slender false brome is a perennial grass species that grows in forest understories, open meadows, riparian sites and on forest edges and is found along trails at GCPF. The grass can grow up to two feet tall and is a bright green color with tiny hairs present on its leaves, stems and nodes. It can grow in a variety of sunlight and soil conditions. Slender false brome grows quickly in dense clumps and outcompetes other vegetation. It is not palatable for wildlife or livestock and seeds can stick to fur of animals and spread to new locations. Humans also aid the spread of seeds by leaving mud on their boots, tires, or equipment and by mowing. For these reasons, slender false brome is a high priority for management in the WNY PRISM region and at GCPF.
The 2024 WNY PRISM Crew continued management of slender false brome at GCPF, using both chemical and manual removal methods. In May, the Crew manually removed 246 seedlings in areas where this species is now sparse on site, and mapped slender false brome populations throughout the park. They returned in June to implement chemical treatment in areas where this species is still widespread. In treatment areas, the number of plants and percent cover decreased from previous years. Plots have been established to monitor treatment efforts over time in the park, as data collection and assessment are integral components of invasive species management.
While working at GCPF, the Crew saw many different native species of wildlife and plants, some of which are great indicators of forest health and biodiversity. During management of slender false brome, they encountered rose-breasted grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus), common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas), blue-winged warblers (Vermivora cyanoptera) and many other migratory birds. They also saw a barred owl (Strix varia), a scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea), red trillium (Trillium erectum), many jack-in-the-pulpits (Arisaema triphyllum), an ebony jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata), a midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) and a wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus). In addition to these species being cool finds in the field, some are also indicator species. An indicator species is an organism with high sensitivity to the environmental factors around it and can measure the environmental condition of an area by its absence or abundance. Barred owls are often used as indicator species for managing forests since they are sensitive to logging and other activities that may alter or remove their habitat. Wood frogs are also indicator species of long-term forest and ecosystem health. While these beautiful species spotted at GCPF may not be the most uncommon to see in New York, they are great examples of what WNY PRISM works to protect. Invasive species management helps increase native biodiversity, and after the management of slender false brome at Genessee County Park and Forest, there is added hope and opportunity for native species to grow and thrive in this area.
Blog post written by Hannah Phillips and Rebecca Kolsch, 2024 Invasive Species Management Assistants.