389G-1 Prairie Restoration

Habitat quality of this prairie has declined in recent years due to a loss in native forb diversity and invasion by cool season exotic grasses. The goal of this native prairie enhancement project is to increase species richness and diversity in the plant community of this easement to improve the habitat for threatened and endangered butterflies, grassland birds, and other endemic prairie wildlife. The enhancement plan will entail burning the prairie, then spraying re-growth with grass specific herbicide to set back invasive grasses, broadcasting local ecotype grass and forb species, and planting key forb and grass seedlings. Mowing and grazing will also occur.