Kunkel WMA Enhancements

Quality grassland habitat is the limiting factor for game and non-game grassland species. This project addresses this by converting 97 acres of cropland to a diverse mixture of native grasses and wildflowers on the Steinhagen Addition to Kunkel WMA. In the pheasant range of Minnesota, quality grassland habitat is the limiting factor for higher pheasant populations. The Long Range Pheasant Plan states "pheasant densities increase as the proportion of undisturbed grass in the landscape increases, up to a maximum of about 50% grass". In addition to restoring cropland to quality grassland habitat, this proposal also will restore all feasible wetlands. Restoration of the Steinhagen Addition will help maximize production of pheasants, waterfowl, pollinators and other grassland species.