Bemidji Area STGR Habitat Enhancement

The problem is: sharp-tailed grouse are a listed SGCN and their habitat management is embedded in DNR-SWAP. Populations are gradually declining in this area due to quality habitat loss/natural degradation. This is occurring because brushland habitats are growing older, more dense and more rank and openland habitats (old fields/lowland meadows/upland grass is being encroached upon by brush and trees. This all due to lack of adequate, routine management because DNR Wildlife lacks funding necessary to enhance and maintain these habitats in this portion of Forest-Transition Zone. Sharptail populations have experienced a decline evidenced by spring dancing ground surveys which show a dramatic loss of these Leks in the past 10 years. These brushland complexes suffer the same "plague" as the above described scenario.