Dakota Lake: Forest, Woodland, and Savanna

We are proposing to enhance approximately 65 acres of land located in the north-central part of Lebanon Hills Regional Park (LHRP). We would like this to be Phase I of a two-phase project, with an additional 56 acres, adjacent to the west, to be enhanced later. LHRP contains 1,961 acres of natural area that consist of a matrix of glacial moraine hills, plains, and kettle-hole lakes and ponds. Soils are generally dry and sandy (sandy loams and loamy sands), but hydric soils occur also. The dominant landcover types pre-settlement would have been primarily a mosaic of oak forest (MHs37), oak woodland (FDs37), shallow lakes and wetlands, and prairie/savanna (primarily mesic, but some dry). Topography is gently rolling to moderately flat, with steeper slopes typically near the larger lakes. Landuse prior to park purchase was dominated by agriculture. The park was established in 1967 and expanded since then.
The project site in question is an approximately 65-acre area that generally surrounds Dakota Lake, one of the most prominent surface water features in the project area. The project site also includes the land on the western side of Holland Lake, the deepest lake in Lebanon Hills Park. There are a few smaller wetlands, some of which are ephemeral, within the project site. Most of the project area consists of upland, however, and currently is a mix of dry oak forest, dry oak woodland, and dry grassland. The site is adjacent to two currently active CPL grant areas: 1) Buck Pond, to the south and west, and 2) Tamarack Swamp, to the north central. Just outside of the project area to the southeast, lies an 85-acre parcel of private property called ?Camp Butwin?, a summer camp for children,which is a private inholding within the public park. Beyond Camp Butwin is located another enhancement project that we are conducting in partnership with Great River Greening (75 acres).