Grassland Restoration Research
Evaluation of Landscape Management in Habitat Restoration

Objectives

1. Evaluate the impact of the Stewardship Fund's Habitat Restoration Area (HRA) program on landscape management and habitats and key wildlife species.
2. Document HRA program benefits for designing similar restoration efforts in the next century.
3. Document the efficiency of using a Geographic Information System (GIS) for habitat management and evaluation.

Background

The Stewardship Fund started in the early 1990s as the major program to restore, enhance, and protect Wisconsin's outdoor environment. The fund provides a stable, long-term commitment for programs of land acquisition or easement.

Many wildlife species have severely declined in the last 25 years due to critical habitat loss from agriculture and urbanization. Habitat changes underlying these wildlife declines are dramatic. Wisconsin has lost 80% of its original wetlands and 99% of its original grassland and oak savannas. Continued grassland and wetland habitat loss threatens the futures of duck, pheasant, and nongame grassland bird populations.

Wildlife managers need documentation of the HRA program's accomplishments to better direct and justify future programs of wildlife management on private lands. The study will permit the cost-effective use of revenues for future wildlife management on private lands. The success and extension of the HRA program should help restore wildlife populations within the target areas and ultimately statewide.

For more information on this topic please contact:
Ronald Gatti (608)221-6340