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 |