Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase VI
The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership protected 423 acres through conservation easement, restored/enhanced 768 acres of Prairie/Oak Savanna, Wetland, Habitat, and Woodland/Forest habitats, including rescue and relocation of 11,000 rare plants, at sites centered around the DNR's ASP ecoregion. Overall, we reached 112% of our acreage goals, and an additional 5.4 miles of shoreline. Our actions increased biodiversity, habitat connectivity, recreational opportunities, and landscape resilience, which aligned with the ASP Partnership's 10-year Strategic Plan, DNR Wildlife Action Plan and LSOHC Section priorities. Partners leveraged $656,900 in funding over the course of the grant.
The ASP Partnership project boundary is defined by the DNR's ASP ecological subsection and its intersecting minor watersheds , which captures portions of the Metropolitan Urbanizing, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest LSOHC sections. Our project boundary is a marvelously complex mosaic of habitats, home to quality prairie and savanna, wetlands, fire-dependent forests and woodlands, large habitat cores, designated wild and scenic rivers, and a high concentration of rare species. The amount of high-quality remnant habitat in the ASP is remarkable given its proximity to Twin Cities and St. Cloud urban cores. While the location of the ASP provides easy access for the majority of Minnesotans, the associated stressors- invasive species, development pressure, and conversion- threaten its sustainability. The need for continuing and accelerating conservation action here is urgent.
The diversity in this rich and important habitat mosaic, complemented by its close proximity to most Minnesotans, is reflected in the number and diversity of organizations that identify the area as a priority, combining our specific knowledge and stakeholder engagement to join forces for its conservation. The robust ASP Partnership is committed to protecting, restoring, and enhancing this spectacular region so it can continue to provide vital habitat, invaluable ecological services, and high-quality recreational and engagement opportunities. Bringing clarity and focus to our Phase 8 and all of our work in this complex area is the science-based ASP Partnership's 10-year Strategic Plan, used to identify priority habitats, opportunities, centers of biodiversity, and a plan of action with measurable goals.
With this funding, Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) protected 423 acres and 5.4 shoreline miles of priority habitat through conservation easement. Great River Greening (GRG), Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), and Sherburne County Parks (SherbCo Parks) completed restoration and enhancement (R/E) on 768 protected acres. Habitats included prairie/savanna grasslands, woodland, and non-forested peat wetlands.
Results were achieved by easement protection of ecologically significant habitats and by conducting invasive species and woody encroachment removal, prescribed burning and conservation grazing, thinning, seeding, and planting. This includes the continuation of a Rare Plant Rescue program to rescue and relocate 11,000 rare plants that would otherwise be destroyed by development, conducting habitat enhancement on protected lands with rare species populations and Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) habitat. Our program restored and improved critical habitat by increasing biodiversity and landscape resilience. Our efforts benefitted water quality and quantity, improved community resiliency, and increased recreational opportunities including R/E engagement.
$2,573,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and easements in the Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting minor watersheds as follows: $156,000 is to the Anoka Conservation District; $699,000 is to Great River Greening; $269,000 is to the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District; $182,000 is to the National Wild Turkey Federation; and $1,267,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $144,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
The Anoka Sand Plain serves as a refuge for many globally unique species and rare plant communities, including roughly one-third of Minnesota's listed rare plant and animals, and 97 known or predicted Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), and 131 federally or state endangered, threatened, or special concern. The Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) ranks 72,000 acres in the ASP as Outstanding or High Biodiversity. This proposal addresses LSOHC and Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) priorities by protecting and restoring/enhancing oak savanna, prairie, riparian, woodlands, and non-forested wetlands.
ACD, NWTF, City of Blaine, City of Blaine, Volunteers, NWTF, ENRTF, USFWS, ENRTF, NFWF, Butler Foundation, ENRTF, USFWS, Landowner donation of easement value, NWTF, Sherburne County, TNC, NWTF and USFWS