Saratoga National Historical Park Receives Funding for Three Projects to Address Natural Resources Challenges

Contact:Leslie Morlock, (518)538-0031

Stillwater, N.Y. - On February 27, the National Park Service announced it will invest $195 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding to restore and build resilience in the lands and waters that serve as important wildlife and native plant habitats, spaces for recreation and reflection, and memorials to our nation's history. Saratoga National Historical Park recently received news that they have been selected to receive some of these funds for three important projects to address acute threats to the park's natural resources, building resiliency in the face of climate change. These multi-park projects will assist the park in controlling invasive species, restoring grasslands, and managing overbrowsing to promote forest regeneration. More information about each project is as follows:

• Control Invasive Species in order to Prevent Catastrophic Forest Loss in Northeastern Parks

• Implement Landscape-Scale Restoration of Eastern Grasslands to Improve Ecosystem Health

Grasslands are crucial habitats that support a diverse array of flora and fauna, playing a fundamental role in maintaining the ecological balance of our planet. Unfortunately, due to various factors including habitat fragmentation and invasive species, many grassland areas are under threat worldwide. Saratoga National Historical Park is part of a regional, landscape-scale initiative supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to restore and protect this critical habitat in parks across the eastern United States.

Saratoga National Historical Park is part of a significant initiative to restore and rehabilitate native grasslands across the eastern US. This project, in collaboration with the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, will remove invasive species and plant native and climate-adapted species to revitalize and preserve grasslands within the park. The restored grasslands will promote biodiversity, ecological resilience, and cultural landscape integrity. By restoring and conserving grassland habitats, Saratoga National Historical Park is not only safeguarding critical ecosystems but also promoting health and well-being in communities by providing enhanced recreation opportunities. This project will directly enhance the ecological value, ecosystem functioning, and climate resilience of grasslands at Saratoga National Historical Park and be part of a network of improved grasslands at parks throughout the eastern United States that will serve as potential seed sources for future restoration efforts. The project supports climate resilience through creation of natural buffers that protect our communities, wildlife, and ecosystems. It will enhance habitat for wildlife and preserve opportunities to experience the park and its cultural landscape.

• Manage Overbrowsing to Promote Climate-Resilient Tree Species Regeneration in Northeastern Forests

Eastern forests are being dramatically altered by invasive species, overabundant deer that browse on seedlings and saplings, pests and diseases that target canopy species, and climatic changes that alter species ranges. Where deer and invasive species are prevalent in parks, many forests are one storm or disturbance away from being converted to invasive shrub thickets. This project will contribute to regional forest resilience by identifying and then implementing a management strategy at Saratoga National Historical Park and 9 other northeastern parks to reduce deer overbrowse.

Along with invasive plant management and planting of seedlings at many of the same parks across the Northeast, this project is part of an integrated, landscape-level Resilient Forest Initiative that has been made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. Reducing or eliminating the immediate threats of invasive species and deer overbrowse will improve the ability of park forests to respond and adapt to climate change and other stresses. At Saratoga National Historical Park, we will work with tribal nations and other stakeholders to conduct an environmental assessment and determine the most appropriate method to manage deer overbrowse. At the conclusion of the assessment, Inflation Reduction Act funding will support the initial implementation of the preferred alternative.

Park Superintendent Leslie Morlock stated that, "We are thrilled that Saratoga National Historical Park has been chosen to participate in these three important projects made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. These projects will enable the park to address multiple natural resources challenges and preserve the existing field and forest landscape configuration that so powerfully adds to our ability to tell the story of the Battles of Saratoga."