Last Updated on May 13, 2019
ECO-CHARLESTOWN
Environmental Actions, Activities, and Information at Charlestown Retirement Community
ECO-CHARLESTOWN TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||
| A. | Introduction | 5 |
| B. | Background: Natural History of the Charlestown Area | 5 |
| 1. | Location on the Fall Line | 5 |
| 2. | Geology and Soils | 5 |
| 3. | Watershed | 6 |
| 4. | Area Land Use Patterns | 6 |
| 5. | Climate and Weather | 6 |
| 6. | Wind, Air, and Noise | 6 |
| 7. | Eastern Deciduous Forest Biome | 7 |
| 8. | Our Three Ecosystems | 7 |
| a. | Main Campus | 7 |
| b. | Lake Charles Area | 7 |
| c. | Native Forest Habitat | 7 |
| C. | Background: Development of Charlestown | 8 |
| 1. | Historical Construction and Conservation | 8 |
| 2. | Developmental History | 8 |
| 3. | Utilities as Background | 9 |
| a. | Power | 9 |
| b. | Water | 9 |
| c. | Sewage Disposal | 9 |
| d. | Storm Drainage | 9 |
| e. | Solid Waste Disposal | 9 |
| 4. | Compliance with Federal, State, and County Requirements | 10 |
| D. | The Outdoor Environment | 10 |
| 1. | Charlestown's Watershed and Stormwater Management | 10 |
| a. | Protection of the Chesapeake Bay | 10 |
| b. | Herbert Run | 10 |
| c. | Lake Charles | 11 |
| d. | "Wetlands" Management | 11 |
| e. | Snow and Ice Removal | 11 |
| 2. | Vegetation Management | 11 |
| a. | Trees | 11 |
| (1) | The Benefits of Trees | 11 |
| (2) | The Trees of Charlestown | 11 |
| (3) | The Tree Working Group | 12 |
| (4) | Maintenance of Trees | 12 |
| (5) | Removal of Trees | 12 |
| (6) | Reforestation | 13 |
| b. | Ornamental Shrubs and Flowers | 13 |
| c. | Turf, and Ground Covers | 13 |
| d. | "Green" Roofs | 13 |
| e. | Invasive Plants | 14 |
| f. | Composting and Wood Chips | 15 |
| 3. | Animal Management | 15 |
| a. | Protected species | 15 |
| b. | Mammals | 15 |
| c. | Birds | 16 |
| d. | Reptiles and Amphibians | 16 |
| e. | Animal and Insect Pests | 16 |
| (1) | Feral Cats | 16 |
| (2) | Rodents | 16 |
| (3) | Insects | 16 |
| f. | Pets | 16 |
| 4. | Resident Activity Areas | 17 |
| a. | Lake Charles | 17 |
| b. | Trails | 17 |
| (1) | The Nature Trail | 17 |
| (2) | The Lake Trail | 17 |
| (3) | The Old Stone Bridge Trail | 17 |
| (4) | The Short Line Trail (adjacent to campus) | 17 |
| c. | Special Gardens | 17 |
| (1) | The Community Garden | 18 |
| (2) | The Butterfly Garden | 18 |
| (3) | The Rock Garden | 18 |
| (4) | The Wildflower Garden | 18 |
| d. | Other Special Areas | 18 |
| (1) | Memory Walk | 18 |
| (2) | Softball Field | 18 |
| (3) | Putting Green | 18 |
| (4) | Picnic Area | 19 |
| (5) | Bocce Ball Court | 19 |
| (6) | Shuffleboard Court | 19 |
| (7) | Dog Parks | 19 |
| E. | The Indoor Environment | 19 |
| 1. | Educational Programs | 19 |
| 2. | Elevated Walkways | 19 |
| 3. | Energy Conservation | 20 |
| 4. | Water Conservation | 20 |
| 5. | Reuse Programs | 20 |
| 6. | Recycling Programs | 21 |
| 7. | Other Waste Management | 21 |
| 8. | Potentially Hazardous Substances | 21 |
| 9. | Campus No Smoking Policy | 22 |
| F. | Community Cooperation | 22 |
| APPENDICES | ||
| 1. | The Benefits of Trees | |
| 2. | The Trees of Charlestown | |
| 3. | The Mammals of Charlestown | |
| 4. | The Birds of Charlestown | |
| MAP OF CHARLESTOWN | ||