Wildlife Observation Trail Grant Application

Table of Contents
Application form/signed cover letter (A G) ................................................................................................................................ 1 Description of project elements (H)................................................................................................................................................... 2 Impact on tourism and economic development (I) ........................................................................................................................ 4 Appeal to youth (J) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Access to hunting and fishing (K) ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 Provisions for maintenance (L) ........................................................................................................................................................... 7 Contractual agreements with groups performing maintenance (M) ........................................................................................ 7 Site preparations made (N) ................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Additional cash refunds from sponsor (O) ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Local labor from sponsor (P) ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 Programs to utilize trail (Q) ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Budget priorities (S) ............................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Attachments
Budget...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Map and driving directions to site (R) ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Verification that the trail will be open to the public (T) ............................................................................................................ 14 Audubons commitment to maintain trail for 10 years .............................................................................................................. 16 Resolutions passed by Little Rock City Council ......................................................................................................................... 18 Design plans that adhere to state trail standards ....................................................................................................................... 20 Preliminary site plan with example of signage ........................................................................................................................... 22 Location map showing project within county ............................................................................................................................. 26 Letters detailing commitments of volunteer labor/donations ................................................................................................ 27 Additional letters of support ............................................................................................................................................................ 33 Copy of lease ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 Birds documented at Audubon Center ........................................................................................................................................... 39 Insects documented at Audubon Center ....................................................................................................................................... 42 Common Ground Field Science projects information ............................................................................................................... 48 Photos of Audubon Center and student activities ...................................................................................................................... 49

Wildlife Observation Trail Grant Application

FY 2010 and 2011 (Maximum $100,000)
A. Applicant Name:
National Audubon Society doing business as Audubon Arkansas 4500 Springer Boulevard, Little Rock, AR 72206 (501) 244-2229 Pulaski County

B.

Certification of Chief Executive Officer:

I hereby certify that the information contained in the attached application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Signature: Ellen Fennell Interim Director Printed Name: Ellen M. Fennell Date: March 17, 2011

C.

Joint-Sponsors Name: (if any):

N/A Mailing Address: Signature: Phone Number:

D. Application Preparers Name:

Ellen Fennell, Samantha Scheiman Mailing Address: 4500 Springer Boulevard, Little Rock, AR 72116 Phone Number: (501) 244-2229

E. F.

Amount of Grant Funds Requested: $100,000 Is the project in a floodplain and/or wetland? No.

G. What is the population of your city or community?

The Little Rock Audubon Center serves the central Arkansas area and is located within the Little Rock city limits. The population of the metropolitan statistical area for the city of Little Rock is 685,488.

H. Describe each element of this project and how it will provide a trail/facilities located and designed so that they are optimally attractive for wildlife observation.

ompleted in 2010, the almost 10,000 square foot Audubon Center, located 7 minutes from downtown Little Rock, provides a hands-on learning environment for young students from nearby schools and the general public. Currently, 4 miles of rough trails constructed by Audubon staff and volunteers exist within Gillam Park, part of the almost 400-acre Audubon Center campus. The proposed trail will provide a new amenity to the campus: a one-mile ADA accessible trail immediately behind the Audubon Center. The trail traverses a 68-acre tract immediately behind the Audubon Center and next to the new senior housing facility, Legacy Homes, that is under construction. Eventually, this proposed trail will be linked to Gillam Park with a finished trail. At present, a very rough trail connects the two tracts. The trailhead is at the Audubon Centers north side. An inviting and attractive gate and entry feature will provide security and welcome vistors to the trailhead. A nearby kiosk will showcase the areas wildife, especially birds, indicating the type of habitat where the visitor should look for particular species. The proposed trail will provide access to the area immediately behind the Audubon Center, which provides services to over 1,000 students a year. It will be the only ADA trail on the property. Because the trail traverses an open savannah, people who normally may not be comfortable in the woods can traverse an open track and will have the opportunity to enjoy the wildlife available, especially birds, in an open area where people are nearby but not intrusive on the natural area. The location of the trail itself is a hill, the highest point of which dramatically overlooks Fourche Creek Bottoms and the City of Little Rock in the distance. A boardwalk, essentially a level platform with benches, will be built at the highest point (about half way up), allowing visitors to comfortably watch birds with binoculars and scopes. (Audubon will loan binoculars and birding books at the Audubon Center entrance to visitors wishing to ascend the boardwalk for viewing and birding. A deposit such as a drivers license may be required to borrow the binoculars.) Many large birds, including hawks of all kinds, vultures and other birds can often be observed overhead. The woods and bushes that edge the trail, as well as the larger trees in the open savannah, provide habitat for many other kinds of species, (see Attachment: Birds Documented at Audubon Center.) The open grasslands, through which the trail will run, provide habitat for a number of other species, including Eastern Meadowlark, Indigo Bunting, and Savannah Sparrow. The kiosk will feature information that will help viewers understand what they are viewing. For example, one panel might feature Migration and discuss the many birds that stop over in Central Arkansas in spring and fall on their journey to the Southern or Northern Hemisphere. Four or more signs along the trail will be illustrated with bird species characteristic of a particular habitat, so the visitor will know what to look for where. The trail will give walkers and hikers a number of opportunties to enjoy viewing birds, butterflies, and other wildife on the Audubon Center property. Audubons existing native plant gardens behind the center and being cultivated on the banks of the rain garden are attracting birds and butterflies at the trailhead. Immediately behind the Center, an elaborate feeder setup attracts a large diversity of smaller birds in all seasons, as well as the hawks and other large birds that prey on them. Specifically, 134 bird species have been documented on the Audubon Center 2

campus, including the elusive Merlin and disappearing Bewicks Wren. Moreover, 292 insect species have been cataloged on the property. Finally, the Audubon Center itself boasts two towers (chimney swift habitat) that flank the front doors. Audubons ongoing efforts to restore native plant habitat will continue to enhance the trail and attract more birds, butterflies and wildlife. Audubon staff and volunteers will erect bat houses, bluebird houses, and Purple Martin houses; create brush piles for birds; and at some point, restore the grassland-oak savannah habitat to its original condition. All of these points will be further elaborated later in the application. During construction and afterwards, erosion control will ensure that the trail coexists in harmony with the grassland habitat. Older trees also will be shielded from trail construction and heavy equipment, ensuring that they will offer long-term habitat and nesting sites for birds. Youth will find the site particularly appealing because the ADA trail will allow them to walk or bicycle with ease up the gentle slope. Benches scattered throughout the site will give children a chance to sit still and watch wildlife comfortably. Additionally, a brightly colored kiosk at the trailhead will delight youth and acquaint them with the wildlife to be seen on the site. The entry gate will be a special and distinctive feature, attracting young and old to the wildife adventure awaiting them beyond the trailhead. Elderly people will enjoy the trail because of its easy maneuverability, short distance from the city, and close-to-home location, whether home is in the nearby Little Rock metropolitan area, or next door Legacy Homes at Granite Mountain, a green senior-living complex being built adjacent to the Audubon Center by the Little Rock Housing Authority. Finally, everyone in between will find the trail pleasing from the old, middle aged or young birder to the avid runner, tourist, and determined photographer eager to capture native flora and fauna on camera. The proposed trail behind the Audubon Center will be an enormous asset to residents of Central Arkansas, the greater Little Rock Metropolitan area and the Granite Mountain Community neighborhood.

I.

Describe in detail the impact this project will have on tourism and economic development in the area in which the trail is located.

ith the proposed trail only one exit west of the Little Rock National Airport exit on I-440, this site is perfect for visitors and Arkansas families who want an introduction to The Natural State. Because of the diverse habitats caused by the convergence of three natural divisions and the proximity of the Arkansas River Valley and nearby tributaries, wildlife viewing, especially of birds, is at a premium at this site. The entry kiosk will elaborate on these points. Audubons Teaching Garden featuring native plants along with a new rain garden located at the trails head attract birds and butterflies for easy viewing. The trail leads up the hillside and overlooks downtown Little Rock, providing a spectacular vista and opportunities for birding and photography. The Audubon Center campus, which includes the proposed trail site, offers a wealth of biological diversity. Dr. Dan Scheiman, Audubons director for Bird Conservation, and other biologists have detected 134 bird species on the property, a high number considering Little Rocks metropolis is only 3.5 miles away. The different birds and their associated habitats will be highlighted on signs situated along the trail. The trail site itself harbors grassland birds such as Eastern Meadowlark, Indigo Bunting, Savannah Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker and Eastern Bluebird. Additionally, an extensive bird feeder setup near the proposed trailhead attracts common backyard birds. Visitors will be able to check out binoculars from the Audubon Center by leaving their drivers license with us as a deposit until they are finished with their walk. A variety of butterfly species like Southern Dogface, Sleepy Orange, and Eastern-tailed Blue have also been documented on the Audubon campus, included among 292 insect species cataloged by Brent Kelley, field projects coordinator for Audubon Arkansas. A complete insect list is attached to this application. See Insects Collected from Gillam Park in 2008. Moreover, a globally rare nepheline syenite glade ecosystem is adjacent to the proposed trail site, augmenting the lands ecological worth. At some time in the near future, Audubon will construct a trail to connect the Wildlife Observation trail that will lead hikers past the rare-glades site. The Nature Conservancy in an ecological survey completed in 1990 deemed this ecosystem a globally critically imperiled [community] with fewer than five known occurrences. Additionally, Pulaski County, in its 1990 ecological survey conducted by The Nature Conservancy, declared the area the number one priority for preservation in the county. Economically, the trail will have a positive impact on the historical African-American community of Granite Mountain, a designated Economic Empowerment Zone. With increased traffic to use the trail, demand for groceries and food services will boost nearby eateries and groceries. According to the 2000 census, 51% of residents within the 72206 zip code have an average household income of less than $29,000 per year. However, investment in the community is growing with the addition of the Audubon Center (which houses an office that supports 10- 12 professional staff) and the addition of the 40-unit Legacy Homes senior housing. The attractive, unusual and safe trail will add to the desirability of the community and the economic value of homes and the area in general. Ultimately, the trail is an amenity for the Audubon Center itself, which is a state convener for environmental education and related activities. The Audubon Center is expected to bring in up to 1,000 visitors this year, all of whom will be introduced to the Granite Mountain community and gain exposure to its assets and needs. The Audubon Center itself has brought 10-12 new employees and an office building into the neighborhood. Further amenities to the Center, such as the trail, will strengthen our program and give the Granite Mountain community a higher, more positive profile in Little Rock. An

attractive and stable community with wonderful parks and hiking trails will attract people to move back to this neighborhood. The first green housing for seniors in the state is being constructed next to the Audubon Center. The 40-unit, energy-efficient senior living complex , Legacy Homes at Granite Mountain, will be equipped with solar panels on the roofs, rain cisterns, recycled metal and composite siding, LED exterior lighting and energy-saving appliances. Residents and their visitors will benefit from the trail which can be accessed immediately out their back doors. In addition, newly constructed apartments and duplexes are attracting families to the area. The history of the trail site is unique and important. The Audubon Center site was the nations first public housing for returning African-American veterans after World War II. Gillam Park was the first African-American park in the city. Activist Daisy Bates fought for soccer fields and a baseball field for the park. In the 1950s and before integration, the park provided the only city swimming pool open to African Americans. As a result, African Americans from all over the country return to Granite Mountain for reunions and to recall their history. The trail will add an outstanding and welcome new amenity to the area for these returning citizens to enjoy.

J.

Describe how the proposed improvements will appeal to Arkansas's youth.

he primary audience for the Audubon Center and its trails are upper elementary, middle, and high school students who come here as part of Common Ground, an initiative that links students with science and service learning projects. Youth across Arkansas have volunteered or studied at the Center and in so doing have had the opportunity to explore wetlands, forests and glades on its 370-acre campus. These young people have worked to remove trash and invasive plants, and to build features like benches and bridges. There will be many opportunities for these young people to enhance the new trail with creative learning projects. Because the proposed trail is both ADA accessible and immediately behind the Audubon Center, this new amenity will enable parents with younger children to see and access the site. Picnic tables on the south side of the trail will also allow families to enjoy meals in a scenic locale, while a water fountain at the trailhead will ensure that everyone stays adequately hydrated on hot days. The proposed trail will expand opportunities to identify and study wildlife in the grassland habitat, which at present is inaccessible to children. Students from Carver Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Mann Middle School, Central High School, and Bryant High School are currently engaged in projects linked to the proposed trail. These include maintaining the rain garden and native-plant butterfly garden at the trailhead. For specific examples of how Audubon Arkansas has kindled an eco-awareness in teens, see the attached newspaper article, Teens Take Wing, and the Audubon Adventures document. This summer, the Audubon Center will also host after-school programs two days each week for the City of Little Rock. The program, Little Rock Rocks, will engage 200 students from all of the Little Rock School District secondary schools. This program will include nature exploration, STEM skills, fitness and service hours being provided toward graduation. Participants will be trained as volunteers for the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department. Audubon will also partner with the Pulaski County Youth Services and Greater Friendship Church, located nearby on Springer Blvd. in Granite Mountain, to provide weekly nature activities on our site for

their after-school efforts with 30 elementary students. The physical accessibility of the site; the beautiful open view (68 unhampered acres); the opportunity to observe many different kinds of birds and other wildlife; the proximity to the heart of Little Rock; the opportunity for service learning on site in connection with Audubon Center mentors; opportunities for Boy Scout, church or other projects; study opportunities for young people seeking degrees in botany, ornithology and other areas of scientific study at UALR , UCA, Philander Smith, and UAPB, all these make the Audubon Center Wildlife Observation Trail very attractive for young people.

K. Does the proposed project provide improved access to hunting or fishing? If yes, explain.

he proposed trail is adjacent to Gillam Park, which harbors oxbow lakes that contain 50 or more native species of fish. The following sport fish have been documented in an 11-acre oxbow lake on the Audubon campus where fishing is allowed and marked trails provide access to the lakes:

Spotted Gar Bowfin Spotted Sucker Chain Pickerel Green Sunfish Warmouth Sunfish Bluegill Sunfish Dollar Sunfish Redear Sunfish Redspotted Sunfish Bantam Sunfish Largemouth Bass

Hunting, however, is not allowed on the site because of the educational programs with children and the Little Rock City Parks regulation against hunting on this property.

L.

Operating and maintaining these facilities will take people and financial resources. Who will provide maintenance for this project? Will the city or county budget contain a line item specifically for this project? If not, how will the operation and maintenance be paid for?

udubon staff will perform all trail maintenance. A maintenance schedule that includes inspection and a checklist will be prepared and implemented by designated Audubon staff. Audubon staff have the experience and equipment to perform maintenance properly. Two trash cans will facilitate trail cleanup. The prominence of the trail to the Center and the prospect of its frequent use will deter any slowness in maintaining the facility. Local citizens and volunteers will be incorporated into all aspects of the trail construction and 6

maintenance. Master Naturalist volunteers will erect and maintain Eastern Bluebird nest boxes; Boy Scouts will clean the fire pit and gathering area; and Together Green volunteers will tend the nativeplant butterfly garden and rain garden. In short, Audubon Arkansas staff are responsible for Gillam Park and all of the Audubon property and will maintain and enhance it in cooperation with the city of Little Rock and in collaborative efforts with volunteers. The City of Little Rock Parks Department is very supportive of Audubons presence and helps with any major cleanup or other problems associated with the park and its trails.

M. Attach a copy of any proposed or current contractual agreement with any committee, club, organization, group, or individual that will perform maintenance or maintain the proposed trail facilities.
Please see the attached contractual agreements for volunteer labor and materials.

N. Describe any site preparations made prior to making this application.

he proposed trail generally follows the contours of an old street in the former Booker Homes federal housing project, which was razed in 2000. At that time the area was restored with open grasslands. This street bed, which is intermittent, was left by persons rehabilitating the site in anticipation of a trail being constructed on the street bed.

The following has already been built or donated for trail enhancement: 6 small Leopold benches (built by volunteers) Dutch oven fire pit (constructed by Boy Scouts) Large rocks for resting and gathering, installed at trailhead Rain garden at trailhead Bird and Butterfly garden behind Audubon Center Elaborate feeder system for birds behind Audubon Center Rock patio for enjoying bird feeders and hillside behind Audubon Center

O. List additional local cash funds or project elements that the local sponsor will construct at their expense, or that will be donated or be included as a part of this project. Examples might include benches, large trail sign, additional parking, trail lights, etc. (If none, state none.)
Interpretive signs especially related to wildlife habitat and birds (Audubon donors) Bat houses (volunteers, especially Audubon chapters) Habitat enhancements such as brush piles for birds (Audubon staff and volunteers) Purple Martin houses (volunteers, especially Audubon chapters) Audubon plans to restore the grassland-savannah habitat to its original condition (long-term project planned in collaboration with ANHC and others) The development of landscaping adjacent to the trail with native plants attractive to wildlife and educational for youth will be added by Audubon Arkansas and its donors (volunteer labor through school projects, ongoing) Benches for the fire pit (volunteers, especially Audubon chapters) Planting of rain garden with native plants (Monsanto grant) McGeorge Construction gravel donation

P.

Describe what local labor the sponsor will contractually give to the project.
Sources for local labor detailed in paragraph above next to project elements.

Q. Describe what programs the local sponsor presently has or will establish to make use of the project facilities. Start up dates and program specifics must be described in detail. (If none, state none)
The following programs are already established at the Audubon center and will utilize the trail: Audubon Common Ground Field Science projects (over 30 projects with Arkansas schools) - Teams learn native plants and animals in forest, grassland, glade and wetland habitats. More information is found in the Common Ground attachment. o Training is at the center throughout the school year for school partners (2011- 2012) o After- school projects are on Mondays, each week, with student interns. Students work on the trails, rain garden, and video projects. o Little Rock School District teachers undergo teacher training. (November and February) o Family science event occurs with Washington and Carver Elementary. (October 2011) STEM Leadership Academy (June 28-30 and July 12-14, 2011) Intensive training at the Audubon Center with educators across the state in geology, botany, ornithology, limnology, and GIS/GPS. Audubon Bio-Blitz with Central Arkansas schools (April 28, 2011) Central Arkansas high schools will participate in a daylong event that includes collecting water samples, soil samples, and specimens (plant/animal); photography; and service projects. Audubon Summer Camp with urban under-served teens (June 20-24, 2011) Teens will participate in hiking, birding, drawing, journaling, kayaking, and using field tools like microscopes, binoculars, etc.

R. A staff person will be visiting your proposed project site. Please provide a map and detailed instructions on how to get to the site from the nearest major highway.
Please see the attached map and accompanying directions.

S.

The Wildlife Observation Trail Grants Advisory Board may recommend funding the full amount requested, or a partial amount. Clearly describe in priority order of your proposed project elements and the minimum you consider necessary to complete a viable project.
In priority order, the following budget elements are necessary to complete a viable trail: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. ADA and other regulatory signage Drainage structures Steel edging 1 kiosk, 4 smaller signs 1 drinking fountain/water supply Erosion control/seeding Tree protection Drainage pipes 2 trash cans 4 picnic tables Entry gate (for security) and signage

T. Verify that the trail in this proposed project will be open to the public.
Please see the letter entitled, Verification that the trail will be open to the public.

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ATTACHMENTS

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BUDGET Wildlife Observation Trail Audubon Arkansas 1 Paving/surface material

(crusher fines 4550 LF at 10' wide and 4" depth)

Notes 600 T donor

Requested

Donated $16,000

(McGeorge Contracting Co., Inc.) 2 Hauling and placing 3 Clearing and grubbing (J.A. Riggs Tractor company; equipment and operators) 4 Entry feature + Security gate 5 Design of Entrance Gate (Tom Fennell, AIA) 6 regulatory signage 7 drainage structures 8 drainage pipes 9 steel edging 10 erosion control/seeding 11 tree protection 12 4 picnic tables 13 concrete pads for tables 14 6 benches 15 2 trash cans 16 1 drinking fountain/ water supply 17 1 kiosk; 4 smaller signs 18 landscape architect 19 Boardwalk/viewing area for wildlife Total Grand Total

$8,500 4550 ft donor width 10 feet $10,500 $2,000 donor 5 at 4 ft each 5 at 15 ft ea 9100 feet $2,360 $2,150 $1,475 $13,840 $4,500 $1,500 $5,000 $6,500 $4,500 $1,000 $2,000 $21,500 $7,000 $7,670 $99,995 $122,995 $23,000 $5,000

attach to side of Center

50 ft length

8 ft width

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Verification that the trail will be open to the public

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

To fulfill the terms of the grant for construction of a Wildlife Observation Trail at its conservation center located at 4500 Springer Boulevard in Little Rock, Audubon Arkansas agrees to the following cash commitment for the proposed project. When the grant is awarded, Audubon Arkansas will commit $5,000 from its capital account for this project, plus up to 10% of the total grant amount.

AUDUBON ARKANSAS By Ellen M. Fennell Interim Director DATE:

Ellen Fennell

3-11-2011

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Audubons commitment to maintain trail for 10 years

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AGREEMENT
Audubon Arkansas will construct a Wildlife Observation Trail at its conservation center located at 4500 Springer Boulevard, Little Rock, Arkansas, in accordance with the terms of a grant awarded through the cooperative program of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Audubon Arkansas further agrees to provide the necessary resources to maintain the Wildlife Observation Trail at the Audubon conservation center in good and useable condition for a period of a minimum of 10 years.

AUDUBON ARKANSAS By Ellen M. Fennell Interim Director

Ellen Fennell 3-11-2011

DATE:

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Design plans that adhere to state trail standards

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Preliminary site plan with example of signage

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Letters detailing commitments of volunteer labor/donations

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Additional items of public support

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