Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase IV
This project will protect approximately 1,375 acres and restore and enhance approximately 280 acres of declining habitat for important wildlife species in strategically targeted areas of biodiversity significance in the Blufflands resulting in increased public access and habitat.
The program's 4 core activities were to acquire lands in fee, protect lands through conservation easement, restore
and enhance habitat.
On June 19, 2017, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) acquired and conveyed a former 833-acre Girl Scout camp to the
Minnesota DNR to create the new Yucatan Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Fillmore and Houston Counties.
Located in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial State Forest in Southeast Minnesota, the Yucatan WMA is predominantly
forested with oaks, cherry and other hardwood species. It contains majestic bluffs with stunning panoramic views
of the Root River, one of the best trout streams in the Midwest. In addition, the new WMA includes the literal
headwaters of a small spring-fed stream that is teeming with native brook trout. Several rare species call the land
home, including timber rattlesnakes and a rare plantain. Yucatan WMA will provide outstanding public
recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife observation in an area with relatively little
public land. This successful acquisition used $2,255,200 of the Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration
Phase IV acquisition funds.
On December 13th, 2018, TPL acquired and conveyed approximately 340 acres to the Minnesota DNR as an
addition to Choice WMA in Fillmore County. This land contains bluffs with beautiful views of the Root River Valley.
It also contains the headwaters of a small spring-fed stream with a healthy population of native brook trout. Many
animal species call the land home, including deer and turkey, providing excellent public hunting opportunities. This
acquisition used the remaining $489,901 of the ML16 Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase IV
acquisition funds in addition to $331,099 of the ML17 Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration Phase V
acquisition funds. This project also leveraged $500,000 in DNR RIM funds. We have accomplished and exceeded
the stated outcomes of this program.
In the Spring of 2019, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) closed on 409 acres of the 885-acre Schueler Wildlife
Management Area acquisition, including 1 mile of trout stream. The portion of the property acquired with this
appropriation has approximately 18 acres of bluff prairie overlooking the Rush Creek valley and 276 acres of
hardwood forest; nearly 115 acres of pasture and a farmstead that has been cleaned up is being restored to habitat.
TNC used private funds to restore a portion of an oxbow wetland on the property near Rush Creek that provides
new wetland habitat. The successful acquisition of this property is the result of TNC maintaining contact with a
large landowner along Rush Creek since 2007, when it was identified as a top 10 protection priority in the region.
TNC used goat grazing to enhance bluff prairie and oak savanna on 35 acres in Whitewater WMA and 6 acres on
Rush Creek Woods WMA. Using goats on bluff prairie and oak savannas in Southeast Minnesota has proven to be a
cost-effective means to prepare sites for prescribed fire and allow for a regular fire return interval.
The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) completed 4 conservation easements protecting 451 acres of forest and prairie,
and16,473 feet of shoreland along streams. Each project is described in brief below; project summary sheets with
more extensive descriptions, maps and photos have also been uploaded into the final report:
1. Bear Creek (Erding) – Located along Bear Creek in Fillmore County, this 81-acre property lies within an MBS Site
of Moderate Biodiversity Significance, and protects forested blufflands, canyon-like ravines, and one mile of
shorelines along a tributary to Bear Creek.
2. Frontenac State Park (Jones Trust) – This scenic 164-acre property lies on a terrace of the Mississippi River
adjacent to Frontenac State Park in Goodhue County. Composed principally of agricultural field, the landowner
donated the conservation easement valued at $696,400. Subsequent to the donation, the Land Trust restored the
ag lands to native prairie through a CPL grant.
3. South Fork Root River (Dahl Creek Farms, LLLP) – Situated on the edge of Irish Ridge above the South Fork Root
River in Houston and Fillmore Counties, this 415-acre property is dominated by forested bluffs that descend over
400 feet in elevation to the floodplain below. The conservation easement protects 1.73 miles of shoreline along the
South Fork Root River and its tributaries.
4. Wiscoy Valley (Mueller) – Located in Winona County, this 164-acre conservation easement protects mixed
hardwood forest and over 3,800 feet of shoreline along a tributary to Money Creek, a state-designated trout
stream.
$5,000,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with The Trust for Public Land and Minnesota Land Trust, to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5, to acquire land in fee for state forest purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7, to acquire permanent conservation easements, and to restore and enhance prairie, grasslands, forest, and savanna as follows: $1,506,000 to The Nature Conservancy; $2,930,000 to The Trust for Public Land; and $564,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $80,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired in fee with this appropriation and not transferred to state or local government ownership must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
94 Prairie acres, 1,119 Forest acres, and 219 Habitat acres (for a total of 1,432 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.
27 Wetland acres, 94 Prairie acres, 328 Forest acres, 219 Habitat acres (for a total of 668 acres) Protected in Easement.
41 Prairie Enhanced acres.
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