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Council authorizes Nature Conservancy agreement to treat invasive species at McNelly Park
Summary
The city approved a zero‑cost property management agreement allowing The Nature Conservancy to use grant funds to treat invasive species on roughly three acres at McNelly Park to protect oak openings habitat.
Council approved an agreement Sept. 15 authorizing The Nature Conservancy to apply grant funds for invasive species control on city‑owned McNelly Park acreage.
Service staff said the Nature Conservancy secured discretionary funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and proposed applying a very small portion of a 1,300‑acre treatment program to approximately three acres within McNelly Park to protect an oak openings remnant preserved by the city in the 1970s. Shaw said the proposal is zero cost to the city and that the Conservancy will conduct treatments, then provide educational and reporting materials.
The ordinance authorizing the mayor and finance director to execute the management agreement passed as an emergency measure. Councilmembers asked where McNelly Park is located (north end of Balfour) and were reassured the agreement imposes no financial obligation on the city; the city's only obligation is to maintain the area consistent with the agreement.
Outcome: ordinance approved; The Nature Conservancy will proceed with invasive species treatments and follow the agreed reporting and maintenance protocols.
