Wetland and Grassland Easement Restoration 2

This project focuses on restoring or enhancing wetlands and grasslands protected in perpetuity by conservation easements to increase migratory bird and resident wildlife populations. Wetlands will also improve water quality in their watersheds. Grasslands are important for controlling soil erosion and minimizing precipitation run-off. Methods include using heavy equipment to conduct earthwork for scraping sediment, filling drainage ditches, removing drain tiles and removing woody vegetation. Former crop fields are re-seeded to a native prairie seed and mowed to control annual weeds. The landowners may graze or hay these areas in future years to maintain the grass cover and some trees may be piled and burned.