Crow Wing County Jack Pine/White Pine Restoration

FMR will conduct restoration and enhancement activities at an important natural area that includes the Hastings Sand Coulee SNA (160 ac) and a city-owned property (25 ac). The coulee contains natural communities of outstanding biodiversity significance, with 14 rare plant and animal species. Ecological restoration has already taken place at this site. This project expands the prairie restoration to new areas, and addresses non-native invasive species control at the native prairie remnants. Natural resource management plans have been completed for most of the coulee and one will be developed for the remaining areas prior to implementing the proposed treatments. A primary activity will be to convert 42 acres of non-native dominated grassland to native prairie, removing 20 acres of woody plants for biofuels. After locally harvested seed is broadcast, 3 years of follow-up tasks continue-mowing, spot-herbicide, burning. Other areas of the coulee will be managed for exotic invasive plants.