Mowing Schedule Should Heed

High Meadow’s Ecology

To the Editor:

Who doesn’t love a meadow — especially the High Meadow at Fairfield Hills and its wide looping trail that joggers and dog-walkers like me enjoy. Yet, all is not well in this most sublime, parklike setting.

The High Meadow trail crosses a rare open field habitat of the sort that is fast disappearing from our New England landscape. How many of us walk the beautiful trail and savor the views without really thinking about the many grassland songbirds and butterflies that might thrive here under different circumstances. The sad fact is that meadows and the species that depend upon them are in severe decline all across the state. The cause is usually one of two things: development or untimely mowing.

The High Meadow is a perfect case in point. Over the years, I’ve watched the male bobolinks and meadowlarks return in early May from their southern winter getaways. They are irresistibly drawn to what seems a perfect place to stake out territories and raise young. With dramatic aerial displays and burbling songs, the are bent on impressing the females who soon follow. By late May, the meadow grass is growing tall and the birds have paired up. By June they are guarding nests hidden deep down in the tall meadow grass. There must be eggs in those nests, soon to hatch.

I have also noted vast clumps of native milkweed plants sprouting everywhere, sure to attract the monarch butterflies arriving in July. The monarchs drink nectar from milkweed flowers and lay their eggs under its broad leaves. The stage is set for the next generation to complete this species’ amazing cycle of migration.

Unfortunately, there can be no such happy outcomes in the High Meadow unless the town alters its mowing schedule. As happens now, the huge machines arrive in June and in two or three afternoons cut everything down to the ground. Suddenly there are no bobolinks, meadowlarks or monarchs. No milkweed nurseries for the monarchs. No dragonflies plying the midair zone over grassy slopes. No swallows swooping low to catch insects. Only stubble as far as the eye can see.

So the obvious question arises: Why mow the High Meadow so soon?

Why not wait until August or even late fall as Newtown Forest Association President Bob Eckenrode says the NFA does while managing its 75 acres of open fields for the benefit of wildlife.

Why not follow the similar recommendation of Newtown Land Use Deputy Director Rob Sibley and Fine Gardens organic landscape contractor Dan Holmes who recently spoke for the Newtown Conservation Commission on the broader issue raised here, which is the need to preserve and increase meadow habitats whenever and wherever possible?

I ask whoever is in charge of maintenance here — be it the first selectwoman, the Fairfield Hills Authority or the Parks and Recreation Commission — to please revisit the mowing schedule.

Mow later and love the High Meadow so much more.

Dottie Evans

1 Reservoir Road, Newtown                                          March 28, 2012