Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase 7
The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership will protect 240 acres of habitat through conservation easement, and restore/enhance 452 acres of Prairie/Oak Savanna, Wetland, and fire-dependent Woodland/Forest habitats within the ASP Ecological Region program boundary, including rescue of 48,000 rare plants to protected areas. These actions will increase biodiversity, habitat connectivity, recreational opportunities, and landscape resilience, which align with the ASP Partnership's strategic plan, DNR Wildlife Action Plan and LSOHC Section priorities. GRG, ACD, MLT, and TNC are the four direct recipient organizations, with significant match from USFWS, Morrison County, and landowner donation of easement value.
The Anoka Sand Plain Ecoregion watershed, capturing portions of the Metropolitan Urbanizing, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest sections, is a marvelously complex mosaic of habitats, home to quality prairie and savanna, wetlands, fire-dependent forests and woodlands, 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 Metropolitan area. While the location of the ASP provides easy access for many Minnesotans, the associated stressors threaten the ASP's sustainability. The ecological diversity of the ASP is threatened by invasive species and development pressure.
The diversity in this rich and important 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 7 and all of our work in this complex area is the ASP Partnership's 10-year strategic plan, which aligns with other important plans to identify priority habitats, opportunities, and centers of biodiversity, and a plan of action with measurable goals.
With this funding, Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Great River Greening (GRG), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), with support from other partners, will secure conservation easements on 240 acres to expand habitat cores and corridors, and complete restoration and enhancement (R/E) on 452 acres of public and protected private sites. Habitats including prairie/savanna grasslands, woodland, and non-forested peat wetlands .
Results will be achieved by restoring historic hydrology, conducting invasive species removal, prescribed burning, thinning, seeding, and planting including the launch of a Rare Plant Rescue program to transplant up to 48,000 rare plants that would otherwise be destroyed by development. Our program will create and improve critical habitat by increasing biodiversity and landscape resilience. It will also benefit water quality and quantity, improve community resiliency, and increase recreational opportunities.
$2,651,000 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: $418,000 is to the Anoka Conservation District; $700,000 is to Great River Greening; $233,000 is to The Nature Conservancy; and $1,300,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $168,000 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.
Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Perform
ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed.Record number
of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of
acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat
complexes.
Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Perform
ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed.Record number
of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of
acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat
complexes.
Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Perform
ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed. Record number of acres protected
of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat
successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat cores and corridors
ACD, Great River Greening, Landowner donation of easement value, Morrison County, UMLA, CCES, USFWS and USFWS in-kind