USFWS Backstrom WPA

Backstrom WPA is ranked as the 6th highest quality property in the Fergus Falls Wetland Management District and has many acres of native remnant prairie. Removal of invasive trees from prairie grassland/wetland habitat is the project goal. The USFWS Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) targeted in the grant project has been invaded by invasive trees limiting the ecological benefits originally preserved, which is part of a much larger eco-system. The projects main focus is to eliminate the woody cover on the WPA by cutting down invasive trees. The trees will be left to decompose on the project site. The prairie upland habitats in the restoration project are devoid of trees in their native pristine condition. The purpose of the project is to restore protected public prairie habitats through the removal of invasive trees that have taken over the prairie. Grasslands that breed migratory birds are the targeted beneficiaries of the restoration project.The program, however, positively impacts all native prairie life utilizing the Prairie Pothole Region Prairie. This area has experienced extensive wetland drainage and conversion of native grasslands to cropland. The remnant parcels of native prairie and other tame grasslands in this area on public and private land have been invaded by invasive grasses and woody species such as Cottonwood, Green Ash, Russian olive, Siberian elm and are in need of intensive management. Restoration of these habitats will benefit several species of concern. Species that could benefit from this project include: Waterfowl, American Bittern, Pygmy Shrew, Canadian toad, Northern Pintail, Arctic Shrew, Northern Prairie Skink, Northern Harrier, Plains pocket mouse, Smooth Green Snake,Sharp-tailed Grouse, Richardsons ground squirrel, Western Hognose Snake, Greater Prairie-chicken, Willet, Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Wilsons Phalarope, Short-eared Owl, Sedge Wren, Grasshopper Sparrow, Le Contes Sparrow, Nelsons Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Dickcissel, Bobolink as well as a myriad of water birds and other grassland nesting birds. Protected public prairie habitat should accurately represent the look of the habitat being protected. The habitat restoration program brings an elevated alertness to the prairies actual condition and has a very visually climactic before and after look. The change is almost immediate as species once forced away return to the restored treeless prairie.