Equilibrium

A vegetative management plan for Entergy Park was prepared for Entergy and the City of Hot Springs by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Entergy Park was heavily infested with non-native, invasive species. A select few of these species are extremely aggressive and suppress native species reducing the diversity and quality of ecological communities.

Upon commencement of this project, Entergy Park was heavily infested with non-native, invasive species. Targeted species included; Privet (Ligustrum spp.), Nandina (Nandina domestica), Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and Kudzu (Pueraria montana). These species are very aggressive and suppress native species while reducing the diversity and the quality of ecological communities.

Two long term management goals were identified . 1) Reduce non-native species by 80% in the next ten years and 2) Improve habitat for Species with Greatest Conservation Needs.

Entergy Park is a 36-acre forested area located directly northwest of Carpenter Dam on Lake Hamilton, south of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Equilibrium began implementing the management plan at Entergy Park during the summer of 2011. Equilibrium aggressively executed multiple methodologies, categorized as either mechanical treatments or chemical treatments at the park. Equilibrium implemented mechanical treatments which included mulching, cut-treat, and hack-n-squirt. Also, chemical treatments were conducted throughout the project area . Chemical treatments targeted areas where regrowth had occurred within the treatment areas.

During March 2013, Equilibrium conducted a prescribed fire at Entergy Park. Most of the entire 36 acres were burned. This is the first prescribed fire to occur at Entergy Park.

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