Martin County WMA Acquisition Phase 5
This program will continue our conservation partnership into Phase 5 and will continue to protect and restore diverse prairie and wetland habitat in areas that adjoin existing MN DNR WMAs. Parcels are identified with representatives of local government, Windom Area MN DNR, Ducks Unlimited (DU), The Conservation Fund (TCF), the Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc. (FLCL), and other local partners. Wetland restoration and additional grasslands are needed to make our WMA habitats resilient. We will use the real estate expertise of TCF, wetland and grassland restoration expertise of DU, and the local conservation efforts of FLCL to ensure success.
Selective project sites will be targeted for protection and restoration by the habitat needs and land availability in areas adjacent to existing WMAs, existing habitat and land 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.
TCF will negotiate the acquisition and lead the real estate process for properties targeted in this proposal. FLCL will hold and monitor the properties during the restoration work, which will be completed by DU. The restored lands will then be conveyed to the MN DNR.
$2,864,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat in Martin and Watonwan counties for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, as follows: $2,181,000 to Fox Lake Conservation League, Inc; $592,000 to Ducks Unlimited; and $91,000 to the Conservation Fund. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - By adding these important parcels to the Martin County and Watonwan County WMA complexes we are adding valuable grasslands to the WMAs of Southern Minnesota. This additional diverse upland habitat will provide much needed habitat for many wildlife species. This project will also add valuable acres for public hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities with all of the fish, game, and rare species that will be found on this new public land. The measurable habitat value will be based on the diversity of habitat protected and restored and the volume of public use these new acres receive