Managing for diversity and resiliency at Johnson Farm
Overview: Johnson Farm is a 49-acre ELT preserve in the Ivoryton section of Essex, acquired by ELT in 2015. The preserve has a diversity of habitats, but these areas are under multiple threats. The goal of this project is to restore and enhance habitats throughout the preserve, increasing biodiversity and climate resilience. This 3-year project is supported by a grant from the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, with matching funds from ELT.
The problem: Early successional habitats (such as grassland and shrubland), essential for plant and animal species adapted to open, sunlit conditions, have become rare. About half of Johnson Farm features these habitats, but they are threatened by invasive species. At the same time, the forested half of the preserve is suffering from both invasives in the understory, and from beech tree mortality due to diseases.
Project plan: Over a three-year period, we will be treating invasives, conducting selective canopy thinning, encouraging new growth of desired native species, and planting seeds/seedlings of others. We will be monitoring and documenting all phases of the project. Check below for updates and announcements.
Project Updates and Announcements
August 2026: The Land Trust Science and Technical Advisory Committee (“STAC”) walked the property on August 14th. The team is very pleased with the progress we are making on several fronts:
The fields we cleared last fall and replanted in the spring are showing very good progress in enabling a very diverse selection of native plant species to grow. Invasives are still present, but remain generally in check. Our very selective cutting of diseased trees in the forested stand is providing light to the forest floor and we are seeing new growth of more resilient trees. We’ve made good progress in slowing the spread of barberry in the forest, one of the most aggressive invasive plants
Next Steps: Sometime after the first frost this fall, we will mow and overseed the newly cleared and re-planted field and repeat that cycle for a few years. We will also repeat last year’s successful clearing and large rock removal on adjacent field that has not been treated at all. During that work, visitors will see the use of heavy machinery to clear stones that prevent us from mowing the field.
January 2026: Boulder excavation work now complete. Stand #3 field is cleared of invasives and large boulders that would have impeded mowing in the future. Team is selecting planting seed mix for spring sowing.
December 2025: Clearing begins in the northern half of Stand #3. Heavy machinery will be used. Some trails will be closed. Excavation work is happening through December 17th.
November 2025: Stewards will be thinning out the shrubland areas in the northern half of Stand #3 (see map).
Scroll to the right to see images of Johnson Farm Project before the initiation of work.
Help Support the Project
In addition to our grant from the Connecticut Land Conservation Council and the many volunteer hours put in by our stewards, ELT will need considerable funds to realize our vision. Please consider donating to support the project!
