Controlling Terrestrial Invasive Plants with Grazing Animals

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$52,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation & Development, Inc.
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2013
End Date
June 2017
Counties Affected
Dodge
Fillmore
Freeborn
Goodhue
Houston
Mower
Olmsted
Rice
Steele
Wabasha
Winona
Dodge
Fillmore
Freeborn
Goodhue
Houston
Mower
Olmsted
Rice
Steele
Wabasha
Winona
Project Overview

Terrestrial invasive plants such as buckthorn, wild parsnip, garlic mustard, and others are becoming widespread threats throughout many sites in Minnesota. Present chemical and mechanical control methods tend to be costly, effective only in the short-term, or have other negative environmental impacts. However, an alternative practice of using grazing animals for invasive species management is used successfully in many parts of the western United States. Grazing animals can help put target plant species at a competitive disadvantage if plants are grazed at times when they are most vulnerable in order to prevent flower and seed production. The Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council is using this appropriation to develop and demonstrate cost effective and environmentally friendly best management practices for using grazing as a component of invasive species management in Minnesota.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013, Chp. 52, Sec. 2, Subd. 06g
Appropriation Language

$52,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. to develop cost effective best management practices to control invasive terrestrial species through planned grazing. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$52,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$52,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.62
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Description of Funds
ENRTF
Project Manager
First Name
John
Last Name
Beckwith
Organization Name
Hiawatha Valley Resource Conservation & Development, Inc.
Street Address
6584 134th Court
City
Apple Valley
State
MN
Zip Code
55124
Phone
(612) 599-5864
Email
john.e.beckwith@gmail.com
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency