Martin County WMA Acquisiton Phase 8
This program will continue our conservation partnership into Phase 8 and will continue to protect and restore diverse prairie and wetland habitat in areas that adjoin existing DNR WMA. Parcels are identified with representatives of local government, Windom Area MN DNR, Ducks Unlimited (DU), The Conservation Fund (TCF), the Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc (FLCL), and other local partners. Wetland restoration and additional grasslands are needed to make our WMA habitats resilient. We will use the real estate expertise of TCF, wetland and grassland restoration expertise of DU, and the local conservation efforts of FLCL.
This proposal will restore 210 acres of shallow lakes, wetlands, and prairie grasslands in Martin County. Our partnership brings together the expertise of three organizations with a strong history working in the area. The Conservation Fund (TCF) will negotiate the acquisition and lead the real estate process for properties targeted in this proposal. Fox Lake Conservation League will hold and monitor the properties during the restoration work, which will be completed by Ducks Unlimited biologists and engineers. The completely restored lands will then be conveyed to the MN DNR for perpetual protection and management. All projects are done with neighboring landowners included in the conversation and without disruption to existing drainage of their lands.
Shallow lake and wetland restoration are top priority actions in all major conservation plans for Minnesota. Our work addresses the habitat goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan, and Minnesota's Duck Recovery Plan which calls for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and restoring 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota's landscape. This work is time-sensitive because complex shallow lake enhancement projects take several years to design and implement, and because wetland restorations are critically needed for breeding waterfowl.
Priority land acquisition areas have been identified with considerations for proximity to existing protected lands (DNR Wildlife Management Areas), threatened and endangered species' key habitats, and important watersheds. Acquired lands will be restored using best management practices to accurately represent and manage for pre-settlement conditions. The extensive agricultural and drainage history of Southwest Minnesota has resulted in the loss of 90% of our prairie wetlands and 99% of the native prairie on the landscape. What remains of the lakes and wetlands are only those which were too deep to drain and have now become nutrient rich, invaded by exotic species, and overall unproductive to wetland-dependent species. These factors have caused a significant decline in Minnesota's once diverse waterfowl population, and as a result, in Minnesota's rich waterfowling traditions.
Through this funding, TCF, FLCL, and DU will restore much needed habitats to the landscape where wetland wildlife, prairie species, and people will flourish. Further, these sites will improve water quality, soil conservation, and water storage in the region.
$2,589,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and to restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat within Martin County for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, as follows: $1,921,000 to Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc.; $613,000 to Ducks Unlimited; and $55,000 to the Conservation Fund.
Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - By adding these important parcels to the Martin County WMA complexes we are restoring valuable grasslands to the WMAs of Southern Minnesota. These added diverse upland prairies will provide much needed habitat for many wildlife species. This program will also add valuable acres for public hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities with all of the fish, game, and rare species that will be found on this new public land
DU Private and federal USFWS NAWCA, DU, Private and and Federal USFWS NAWCA