Mount Loretto Unique Area Entitation Study

The Mount Loretto Unique Area is a 241-acre site featuring upland forests, wetlands and aquatic areas, shorelines and cliffs, and mowed areas that are currently being maintained as grasslands. A comprehensive Wildlife Management Plan is being developed for the property.

Because of the many challenges involved in maintaining a grassland community with a natural trajectory toward more diversity within an urban setting, the New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) initiated a Desired Outcomes Analysis for the mowed portion of the site. The outcome of this Analysis will inform the open field portion of the Wildlife Management Plan. On behalf of the NYSDEC, Mr. Scarlatelli supervised implementation of the Desired Outcomes Analysis and development of the Wildlife Management Plan.

The Analysis involved an entitation, a survey and cataloging of the site’s soils, drainage, flora, and fauna. The biologic component of this entitation was conducted by Alan Pieluszynski and resulted in the identification of over 180 species of native pollinators on the site. The Analysis is expected to recommend maintenance of the mowed area as an ecologically diverse meadow, featuring interpretive signage and Citizen Science opportunities. Ongoing monitoring protocols for all portions of the property will be included in the Wildlife Management Plan.

Location

Staten Island, New York

Client/Municipality

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Services Provided

Project & Program Management
Environmental Assessment & Site Selection
Environmental Permitting, Monitoring & Enforcement
Soil, Plant, Wildlife and Pollinator Inventories
Data Analysis
Construction and Contractor Monitoring & Management
Interagency Coordination
Data Analysis
Conservation Planning
Biomonitoring and Maintenance
Conservation Easements
Conservation Planning