This project will restore and enhance about 1.3 miles of shoreline and 40 acres of buffer around Holland Lake in Lebanon Hills Regional Park. See project map.
The project aims to diversify plant life in the area. The county owns most of the area around the lake, except a 650-foot stretch of privately-owned land on the north side by Cliff Road. The buffer would vary in width, ranging from about 80-270 feet.
The west side of the lake received ecological enhancements in an earlier natural resources project, but the shoreline wasn't a part of that project. Buckthorn was removed from the east side of the lake in the last five years, but otherwise, the area hasn't been managed since the park was acquired in the 1970s. This project would add onto areas restored at Dakota Lake, Tamarack Swamp, Buck Pond and Star Pond, helping to fill in gaps.
A grant from the Conservations Partners Legacy Program will partially fund this project with the county also providing funds.
A contractor will complete much of the project, which will include removing trees and shrubs from the site as well as controlling exotic herbaceous plants.
Some trail closures may be required and will be posted throughout the course of the project. There will also be a volunteer and youth crew planting component during the summer months of 2021 and 2022. The entire restoration project is scheduled from Jan. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2022.
Project timeline
Winter-Spring 2021: Tree and brush removal
Summer 2021 & 2022: Exotic herbaceous vegetation control
Summer 2021 & 2022: Engage volunteers and youth crews
Fall 2021 & 2022: Install native vegetation
Summer 2022: Woody resprout and seedling control
Summer 2022: Prescribed burns
Estimated project completion: Dec. 31, 2022