Sandbanks Draft Veg Mgmt Plan - Ontario Parks

Prescribed burning is the deliberate, planned, and knowledgeable application of fire by
authorized personnel to a specific land area to accomplish pre-determined objectives.
Prescribed burning to achieve ecological or hazard reduction objectives may be
considered in the future. Plans for any prescribed burning will be developed in
accordance with the MNR Prescribed Burn Policy, its associated planning manual, and
the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves,
in cooperation with Haliburton Fire Management Headquarters.
• Fire management will be in accordance with existing policies and
strategies
Mowing
Mowing will be done to the least extent possible, and only in order to ensure the safety
and comfort of park users. A mowing plan does not exist for the park but will be
developed based on the principles of this strategy.
Roadsides will be maintained to a standard sufficient to ensure visibility. A close mowed
shoulder of up to a maximum of 2 m or less will be maintained adjacent to all paved
roads. The mowed shoulder provides an important safety zone for cyclists and
pedestrians to step off the road to avoid oncoming traffic. Mowing may also serve to
control Poison Ivy. Areas around road intersections and beach parking lots will be rough
cut infrequently throughout the operating season to provide adequate visibility.
Day use areas will continue to be mowed as necessary, although areas where mowing
can be reduced will be targeted by park staff. In some areas, if mowing is eliminated,
efforts to prevent invasion by non-native invasive species will be necessary.
In all mowing and cutting operations, care must be taken to avoid girdling trees and
small shrubs. Damaged trees and shrubs will be protected from further damage by
having tree guards/plastic pipe wrapped around each.
• Mowing will be done to the least extent possible, and will not damage
natural vegetation or trees. A mowing plan will be developed.
Leaf and Vegetation Disposal
Unless they are being used in specific restoration actions, leaves and vegetation debris
other than tree trunks and limbs will be placed in a composting area. Dumping leaves
and brush can suppress indigenous vegetation, create conditions favourable to exotic
species, spread seed and roots of exotic species and create a fire hazard; therefore,
dumping of leaves anywhere other than the specified location is strictly prohibited.
Preferably, leaves may be left where they fall or mulched into the lawn. Burning of
leaves is prohibited.
When invasive species are removed, they will be disposed of according to the guidelines
provided in section 3.4.
• Leaves and vegetation debris will be disposed of in a composting area
Sandbanks Vegetation Management Plan 15 of 28
Ontario Parks, SE Zone
2009