Red Wing Prairie and Oak Savanna Restorations

Red Wing, on the banks of the Mississippi, is surrounded by wetlands, bluffs, forests, savannas, and prairies. Native prairie and oak savanna are two of Minnesota?s most threatened plant communities. Red Wing?s Memorial Park, Barn Bluff, and Billings-Tomfohr Conservation Area/Coon Hill hold more than 222 acres of prairie and savanna that are home to many species of plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife, including many rare species.
Over time, many of these natural areas have become overtaken by invasive species. Buckthorn, honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, and other species shade out native plants and have a profound effect on habitat quality.
Red Wing residents and personnel, along with resource professionals from several conservation agencies, recognized the importance of these sites and the growing problem with invasive species. In 2013 a working group was formed to address this issue and to direct restoration efforts. Partners include City of Red Wing, Conservation Corps Minnesota (CCM), Friends of the Bluffs, Audubon, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Management plans were written and a Comprehensive Work Plan was completed. Restoration of prairie and oak savanna through invasive species management are identified as the highest priority. Members of the working group meet yearly to update and develop annual work plans, locate funding, document progress, coordinate field work, and provide outreach. Our restoration strategy is to conduct initial invasive species removal on management units, institute prescribed burning, and conduct follow-up invasive species removal as necessary. Restoration work was initiated in 2014, and initial invasive species removal will be completed on 120 acres by the end of 2016. The work is highly visible and has received strong support from citizen stakeholders.
Red Wing has demonstrated a strong commitment to this effort. It is a high priority for the community as reflected in City plans and budgets. The City and partners have established the goal to restore all of the native prairies and savannas within these natural areas. Current restoration efforts have only been limited by funding. Conservation Partner Legacy funding would enable restoration at all priority sites within three years. Long-term maintenance plans have been developed to ensure high quality prairie and savanna habitat persist on the sites.