Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition Phase 2
This project is a partnership between several organizations to restore diverse prairie and wetland habitat in areas adjacent to existing DNR Wildlife Management Areas. Parcels are identified by working with the representatives of local government, Windom Area DNR, Ducks Unlimited (DU), The Conservation Fund (TCF), and the Fox Lake Conservation League. Wetland restoration and additional grasslands are needed to make our WMA's sustainable. We will use the real estate expertise of TCF, wetland and grassland restoration expertise of DU, and the local efforts of the Fox Lake Conservation League to ensure success of this conservation effort.
Project sites were targeted by the habitat need and land availability in areas adjacent to existing WMA's, existing habitat and lands already protected from development or other land use change. Work is designed to provide the most habitat value. The landscape will be restored as close as possible to conditions that existed prior to its conversion to agricultural production. Wetlands will be restored without the disruption of the natural drainage system. Native vegetation will be restored with a diverse range of species suitable to the landscape.
$2,447,000 the second year is to the commissioner
of natural resources for an agreement with Fox
Lake Conservation League Inc., in cooperation with
Ducks Unlimited and The Conservation Fund, to
acquire lands in fee and restore and enhance
strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other
wildlife habitat in Martin County for wildlife
management under Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 8. Of this amount, $1,978,000
is to Fox Lake Conservation League Inc., $400,000
is to Ducks Unlimited, and $69,000 is to The
Conservation Fund. A list of proposed acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Prairie tracts acquired will be restored back to wetlands and prairie with native grass and forb wildflowers for pollinators, and will transferred into the state Wildlife Management Area system to provide additional prairie habitat for migratory species and public use, both of which will be monitored by Minnesota DNR field staff. Water and habitat quality in restored wetlands will be monitored by DNR area wildlife field staff, and managed to optimize wetland habitat conditions. Prairie uplands will be managed to minimize trees and encourage native grasses and pollinator wild flowers. .