Southeast Forest Habitat Enhancement Phase II
We enhanced 4,650 of forested habitat in SE MN and restored 22 acres of fallow fields into forest habitat exceeding our initial project proposal acres by 1,622 acres. Projects included 710 acres of tree planting, 2,142 acres of prescribed burns, 75 acres of tree seedling release, and 1723 acres of invasive species removal. All projects were completed in cooperation with local staff from the Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife.
Tree planting occurred using multiple tree contracting crews from SE MN with work overseen by DNR staff. Prescribed burns were conducted with DNR staff and CCMI crews with prep work installing fire breaks and mopping up post fire. Direct seeding was completed with a contract crew and the seedling release was conducted by contractors with manual cutting to ensure the tree species of preference is managed for. Invasive woody removal was removed by CCMI and contractors. The restoration work was done by a contractor with site preparation and seeding to convert old, fallow fields back into forested habitats.
$1,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance forests in southeastern Minnesota. A list of proposed land enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Habitat for species such as Karner blue butterflies, timber rattlesnakes and other rare reptiles and amphibians where enhanced under these improvements. Habitat enhancements to dry oak communities, dry jack pine savannah, edge rock bluff prairies, dry barrens, mesic prairies, oak woodlands, savannahs, and fire dependent forests were enhanced providing corridors and expanded habitats for many species. There are dozens of species rare plants and animals that depend on these community types that were enhanced by the management actions in this grant.