Wisconsin’s Grassland Program

Wisconsin’s Grassland Program

Priorities

• Restoring prairie and oak savanna remnant plant communities

• Plant native grasslands to benefit grassland nesting migratory birds and other T/E species in historic grassland regions of the state

• Manage FWS native seed nursery (in conjunction with the LWMD) to promote local genotype seed and increase the species diversity of plantings

• Work with other conservation partners to promote grassland restoration.

Wisconsin’s Grassland Program

Management Activities

• Planting

• Prescribed burning

• Brush cutting, exotic species control

• Grazing management

Wisconsin’s Grassland Program

South-central Wisconsin Prairie Pothole Initiative

• 2,875 acres of uplands will be restored

Wisconsin’s Grassland Program

Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area

• 40,000 acre grassland initiative in SW WI.

• Multi-partners (TNC, FWS, DNR, PF, etc.)

• Largest grassland landscape in the state

Wisconsin’s Grassland Program

Other Grassland Initiatives

• National Wild Turkey Federation

Oak Savanna Restoration in South-central Wisconsin

• Prairie Chicken Initiative

North-central Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Wetlands Program

Priorities

• Restore to the extent practical original wetland hydrology

• Facilitate USDA programs (WRP, CRP) and other Service programs (WPA, Refuges)

• Work with conservation partners to promote wetland restoration

Wisconsin’s Wetlands Program

Wetland Restoration Techniques

• Tile Removal

• Ditch Plugs

• Water Control Structures

Wisconsin’s Wetlands Program

Partnerships

• WRP

FWS/WDNR/NRCS Cooperative Agreement

Technical Assistance

WPA acquisition

• NAWCA

Multiple Grants with partners

• Permitting

Wisconsin’s Endangered Species Program

Priorities

• Restore and enhance habitat on private lands to secure viable KBB populations

• Restore EMR habitat within known populations

• Promote the concept of endangered species management on private land

Wisconsin’s Endangered Species Program

Management applications

• Karner Blue ButterflyBurningInterseedingBrush removal

• Eastern Massasagua RattlesnakeWater level managementBrush clearing Burning

• PartnershipsTNCPrivate landownersUSDA-NRCSDNRCounty Forest and Parks (Bauer Brockway

Barrens)

Wisconsin’s Stream Program

Priorities

• Restore instream habitat for native interjurisdictional species

• Remove fish passage barriers

Wisconsin’s Stream Program

Stream Improvement Techniques

• LUNKER Structures

• Channel Reconfiguration

• In-Stream Habitat

• Dam Removal

Wisconsin’s Stream Program

Partnerships

• Sand County Foundation

• WDNR

• Land Conservation Departments