MN Prairie Recovery Program Phase 10
The project will advance the protection, restoration and enhancement goals for prairie and grassland habitat that are articulated in the 2018 update of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the highly successful model established in Phases 1 - 9 and seeks to protect 300 acres in fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance 14,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 50 acres of prairie and wetland habitat.
Protect - An estimated 300 acres of prairie, wetlands, grasslands, and savanna will be permanently protected through fee-title acquisition from willing sellers in 5 potential prairie core/corridor landscapes as identified in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Acquired lands will be prioritized using prior approved criteria that include: percentage of native prairie on the parcel, proximity to other permanently protected areas, quality of habitat and species diversity, and suitability for public recreation. These protected acres will be held by The Nature Conservancy subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions.
Enhance - An estimated 14,000 acres of grassland/wetland complex will be enhanced on permanently protected lands, including lands purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy, MN DNR Management Units, US Fish and Wildlife Service lands, and private lands subject to perpetual conservation easements. The primary objectives of our enhancement activities will be to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. A variety of practices and techniques will be implemented to accomplish our objectives such as: prescribed fire; removal of trees and woody species; invasive species control including mechanical, biological, and chemical control; over-seeding degraded grasslands with native seed; and conservation grazing, mowing, or haying. The work will be conducted primarily through contracts with local vendors, Conservation Corps of Minnesota or Student Conservation Association crews and by using Nature Conservancy seasonal and permanent staff. Prairie Recovery Biologists, stationed in four landscapes within the Prairie region are responsible for identifying and prioritizing projects in cooperation with agency partners; selecting and overseeing contracted work; and leading and directing seasonal staff. The Biologists are also responsible for participating in and leading Prairie Plan Local Technical Team efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery by multiple partners at the landscape scale.
Restore - Approximately 50 acres of cropland will be restored to diverse local-ecotype grassland and grassland/wetland complexes.Practices to be implemented include those listed as enhancements above and the restoration of original wetland hydrology.
Results to date - Through Phases 1-9 we have protected 7,250 acres of prairies, wetlands, and grasslands and have enhanced more than 127,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands. The protected acres span our priority geographies. In all cases parcels were purchased that were directly adjacent to, or contributed to, the functional integrity of existing habitat complexes. Average per acre cost for acquired properties has averaged around $1,820 per acre. Our enhancement projects have focused on accelerating the implementation of prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, building the infrastructure for conservation grazing systems and treatment of invasive species. Costs for enhancement and restoration work vary depending on the practices being implemented but have averaged around $81 per acre.
$3,365,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance native prairies, grasslands, wetlands, and savannas. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. No later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancys fiscal year ends, The Nature Conservancy must submit to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.
Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography.
Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network.
Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography.
Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network
TNC