State Wildlife Grants Program Projects

2009-2011

SGCN - Species of Greatest Conservation Need
COA - Conservation Opportunity Area
SWG - State Wildlife Grant

Acoustic Bat Surveys: Assessing Species Status and Trends in Wisconsin

SGCN: Little Brown Bat, Indiana Bat, Big Brown Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle, Eastern Red Bat, Hoary Bat, Silver-haired Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat.
COA(s): All

This project is a statewide effort to address data gaps in bat distribution, relative abundance, status and trends. Lack of information on basic ecology and trends is listed as one of the greatest threats to conservation of bat species. In addition, the recent emergence of an unprecedented threat to bats known as White-nose Syndrome in the Eastern U.S. drastically increases the need for baseline data prior to a possible arrival in the Midwest. Using acoustic monitoring and the citizen-based monitoring network data will be collected on relative abundance and species occurrence throughout the state of Wisconsin. Back to Top

Assessment of Vertebrate Species with Data Needs Through the Natural Heritage Inventory Database

SGCN: American Bittern, Least Bittern, Yellow Rail, King Rail, Common Moorhen, LeConte's Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Black Rail Colonial Waterbird, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Black Tern, American White Pelican, Caspian Tern, Forster's Tern, Common Tern Owl, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Whip-poor-will, Bullfrog, Eastern Plains Gartersnake, Pirate Perch, Pugnose Minnow, Weed Shiner, Mud Darter, Silver Chub
COA(s): All

This project will address the need to have the most current, accessible, consolidated distribution and abundance data for these species and species assemblages with information needs. The inventory data have been collected, but currently reside in numerous databases or spreadsheets and are not readily available to make rangewide, science-based decisions on the status of these species in Wisconsin. The project will address these needs by incorporating the existing data on each species or species groups into the Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) database, which is the central state repository for rare species information. Back to Top

Barrens Management and Monitoring within the Lower Wisconsin River, Black River, and Crex Barrens COAs

SGCN: American Woodcock, Ash-brown Grasshopper, Bald Eagle, Bina Flower Moth, Black-backed Woodpecker, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blanding's Turtle, Blue-winged Teal, Blue-winged Warbler, Bobolink, Boreal Chorus Frog, Brown Thrasher, Bullsnake, Canada Warbler, Chryxus Arctic, Cobweb Skipper, Columbine Duskywing, Connecticut Warbler, Dusted Skipper, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Red Bat, Field Sparrow, Four-toed Salamander, Franklin's Ground Squirrel, Frosted Elfin, Golden-winged Warbler, Gorgone Checkerspot, Graceful Clearwing, Grasshopper Sparrow, Gray Wolf, Henry's Elfin, Hoary Bat, Hoary Elfin, Indian Skipper, Issid Planthopper, Karner Blue Butterfly, Lark Sparrow, Least Flycatcher, Leonard's Skipper, Limottetix Leafhopper, Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle, Mottled Duskywing, Northern Blue, Northern Flying Squirrel, Northern Goshawk, Northern Harrier, Northern Long-eared Bat, Northern Prairie Skink, Olympia Marble, Ornate Box Turtle, Osprey, Pale Tiger Beetle, Persius Duskywing, Phlox Moth, Phyllira Tiger Moth, Pickerel Frog, Pink Sallow, Pink-edged Sulphur, Prairie Racerunner, Prairie Ring-necked Snake, Prairie Vole, Red Crossbill, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Ring-necked Snake, Sand Locust, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Short-winged Grasshopper, Silver-haired Bat, Spotted-winged Grasshopper, Sprague's Pygarctia, Tawny Crescent, Timber Rattlesnake, Upland Sandpiper, Veery, Vesper Sparrow, Water Shrew, Western Glass Lizard, Whip-poor-will, Wild Indigo Duskywing, Wood Turtle, Woodland Jumping Mouse, Woodland Vole, Yellow-bellied Racer, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
COA(s): Crex Barrens and Wetlands, Lower Wisconsin Bluffs and Floodplain, Black River

This proposal will fund restoration and management activities on at least twelve barrens and prairie State Natural Areas (SNA) in southern Wisconsin, including herbaceous and woody invasive species control and prescribed burning. SWG funds will also be used to leverage land management funding from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. Additionally, the program will fund a comprehensive barrens community monitoring program, including the initiation of a long-term research and monitoring program on barrens restoration and management within Gotham Jack Pine Barrens SNA, Black River State Forest, and Crex Meadows Wildlife Area. Back to Top

Barrens Management in the Black River Conservation Opportunity Area

SGCN: Karner Blue, Grasshopper Sparrow, Blanding's Turtle, Frosted Elfin, Vesper Sparrow, Bullsnake, Phlox Moth, Whip-poor-will, Western Slender Glass Lizard, Henry's Elfin, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hoary Elfin, Persius Dusky Wing, Olympia Marble Dusted Skipper, Mottled Dusky Wing, Cobweb Skipper, Pink-edged Sulpher, Indigo Dusky Wing, American Woodcock, Massasauga Rattlesnake, Columbine Dusky Wing, Golden-winged Warbler, Yellow-bellied Racer, Leafhoppers, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Leafhopper, Black-billed Cuckoo, Tiger Beetles, Field Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Lark Sparrow, Kirtland's Warbler, Prairie Vole, Franklin's Ground Squirrel
COA(s): Black River, Robinson Creek, and Fort McCoy

Barrens are a Globally Imperiled natural community, with Wisconsin containing the best opportunities in the world to perpetuate this type. The objectives of the project are to maintain existing barrens, restore degraded sites, and reconnect isolated barrens patches to improve long term ecological function and viability of associated species. Specific objectives are to identify, designate, protect, and maintain both treeless core areas and areas occupied by trees that contain high quality barrens vegetation; protect, maintain, and increase barrens habitat associated animals, with specific emphasis on rare birds, invertebrates, reptiles and plants; and to increase connection between patches of barrens vegetation. Back to Top

Catalog and Prioritize Wisconsin's Bat Hibernacula

SGCN: Northern Long-eared Bat, Little Brown Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle, Big Brown Bat, Indiana Bat
COA(s): Niagara Escarpment, Wisconsin Driftless Area, Southwest Savanna Ecological Landscape, Southeast Glacial Plains Ecological Landscape, Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape

The Wisconsin Bat Conservation and Management Plan, developed and implemented under previous SWG support, identifies the importance of cave and mine hibernacula for bats. Because hibernacula are a limiting resource used by five species of bats for up to eight months a year, large concentrations form in single locations from land areas representing 100's of square miles. This project aims to catalog and identify priority Wisconsin hibernacula in order to create a framework for monitoring population levels and aid in the decision-making of local land managers. Back to Top

Connecting and Restoring a Mosaic of Oak Openings, Woodlands, Wetlands, and Prairies at Faville Grove Sanctuary

SGCN: Leafhopper, Liatris, Borer Moth, Silphium Borer Moth, American Bittern, American Woodcock, Blue-winged Teal, Field Sparrow, King Rail, Rusty Blackbird, Short-eared Owl, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Willow Flycatcher, Black-billed Cuckoo, Bobolink, Brown Thrasher, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Henslow's Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Blanding's Turtle, Swamp Metalmark, Barn Owl, Bell's Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow, Greater Prairie Chicken, Lark Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Red-headed Woodpecker, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Vesper sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Western Meadowlark, Whip-poor-will, Willow Flycatcher, Franklin's Ground Squirrel
COA(s): Burr oak openings, Large sedge meadows, fens, and prairies, Waterloo Wetlands, Lake Mills Wetlands, Medium-sized rivers and streams

In recent years, the Madison Audubon Society has formed Faville Grove Sanctuary in the heart of the Crawfish Prairie and adjacent uplands, historically a region of abundant wet prairie habitat. The grant will allow the sanctuary to remove trees and weeds, conduct controlled burns, collect seeds, and restore ground cover in order to create and restore high-quality habitat for SGCN. Back to Top

Continued Stocking of American Marten in the North Central Forest Landscape

SGCN: : American Marten, Northern Flying Squirrel, Silver-haired Bat, Northern Goshawk, Black-throated Blue Warbler
COA(s): Sawyer-Ashland Hemlock Hardwoods, Gogebic-Penokee Range, Nicolet Hemlock Hardwoods, Winegar Moraine

The American marten, also known as American sable, pine marten, or waabizheshi (Ojibwe), was endemic to Wisconsin prior to European settlement. The marten was listed as Endangered in 1972, and remains so today. This grant funds stocking expenses for the release of 26 martens in 2008 and aims to stock a total of 90 martens into the Chequamegon National Forest by the end of 2010. Back to Top

Development of a Monitoring Plan for Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan

SGCN: All
COA(s): All

The goal of this project is to begin the development of a monitoring plan that will allow Wisconsin to monitor SGCN and their habitats, and assess and measure the effectiveness of the priority conservation actions described as part of Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan. The chief objective is to use monitoring within an adaptive management context to test the effectiveness of conservation actions and to develop a long-term monitoring program for ecosystems, natural communities, and population trends of SGCN. Back to Top

Developing a Monitoring Program for Forest Birds in the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway

SGCN: Acadian Flycatcher, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Yellow-throated Warbler
COA(s): Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Large River Corridor within the Western Coulees and Ridges Ecological Landscape

The 77,000-acre, 93-mile long Lower Wisconsin Riverway supports highly significant breeding bird communities on its thousands of acres of working and protected forests. To ensure the long term health of these populations, this grant works to develop a monitoring program that will track their status and document changes resulting from different forest management strategies. Results of a monitoring program will help guide decisions regarding forest management at landscape and stand-level scales on public and private lands, and help maintain these bird populations. Eventually, a predictive model should be developed and integrated with the monitoring program. Back to Top

Grassland Conservation in the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area

SGCN: Bell's Vireo, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Short-eared Owl, Upland Sandpiper, Regal Fritillary, Red-tailed Leafhopper, Leafhoppers, Northern Harrier, Solitary Sandpiper, Red-headed Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Brown Thrasher, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink, Western Meadowlark, Pickerel Frog Blanding's Turtle, Bullsnake
COA(s): Southwest Grasslands and Streams

The decline of prairie and oak savanna ecosystems and their associated species in Wisconsin is well documented. Grassland-nesting birds in particular are declining at a rapid rate, faster than any other group of birds. The Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area is the best opportunity in the state to conserve these resources. 2500 acres have already been protected from development, while partners and landowners work to protect an additional 1000 acres each year. However, the continued success of the partnership is limited by a lack of funding. The State Wildlife Grant provides much-needed funds and match to smaller grants, organization budgets and in-kind volunteer hours. This area has the highest development pressure of the entire Southwest Wisconsin Grassland and Stream Conservation Area, so it is critical to quickly protect, create, and improve as much grassland habitat as possible. Back to Top

Implementation of Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan

SGCN: All
COA(s): All

The objective of this grant is to implement, at the Department of Natural Resources regional level, the Wildlife Action Plan: Wisconsin’s Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, by providing technical assistance, performing technical work and developing internal and external partnerships. This includes providing information about the threats and conservation actions in the Plan and applying them as the Department and our conservation partners plan, manage, and make decisions. Back to Top

Implementing Phase II of the Forest Bird Habitat Matrix

SGCN: Arboreal Bird Species
COA(s): Northern Wet-mesic Forest, Central Pine-Oak Forest, Floodplain Forest, Southern Hardwood Swamps

Phase I of the Forest Bird Habitat Matrix effort created a hierarchical forest habitat language that incorporates ecological potential of forest stands as well as forest cover types and stand-level characteristics important to bird species of interest. The hierarchical nature of the habitat matrix allows the user to scale their information needs to various levels of detail and is thought to be highly relevant to the vast majority of forest management and planning activities statewide. This program implements Phase II of the matrix, involving the creation of the matrix database through a web-based portal and an integration of existing datasets into the matrix. Back to Top

Incorporating Data Resulting from the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan into the Natural Heritage Inventory Database and Providing Technical Support to SWG Recipients Regarding Data Preparation and Submission.

SGCN: All
COA(s): All

Development of Wisconsin’s Wildlife Action Plan and its implementation through the SWG Program has generated data on SGCN and high quality Natural Communities. The objective of this grant is to develop and implement an efficient prioritization process for entering that data into the Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) database and provide necessary technical support to SWG recipients in fulfilling the requirement of submitting data to the NHI database. Back to Top

Invasive Species Monitoring and Control on Green Bay’s West Shore

SGCN:Caspian Tern, Upland Common Tern, Forster's Tern, Great Egret, Horned Grebe, Swamp Olive-sided Flycatcher, Piping Plover, Snowy Egret, Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Metalmark, Blanding's Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Wood Turtle, American Bittern, American Woodcock, Black-billed Cuckoo, Black Tern, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Blue-winged Teal, Canada Warbler, Dunlin, Golden-winged Warbler, Hudsonian Godwit, Least Flycatcher, Marbled Godwit, Northern Harrier, Rusty Blackbird, Solitary Sandpiper, Willow Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Yellow Rail, Swamp Metalmark.
COA(s): Great Lakes and their Shorelines, Large River Corridors, Medium-sized Rivers and Streams, Large Sedge Meadows, Fens, and Prairies

This project is designed to protect and enhance natural communities benefiting SGCN in the Northern and Central Lake Michigan Coastal Plains Ecological Landscapes. Invasive species have established themselves in many high-quality wetland areas, resulting in a loss of potential habitat that would normally develop during the cycle of water level changes and an erosion of the quality of existing habitat as it is converted to monotypic stands of giant reed. The project will identify habitats impacted by invasive species and control the spread of invasives within natural communities using proven techniques. Monitoring of results of control actions and follow-up treatments will be part of the project. Adaptive management principles will be used to help guide management activities. Back to Top

Large-scale Restoration of the Young Prairie and other Wet-meadow State Natural Area COAs in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest

SGCN: American Bittern, American Golden Plover, Black Tern, Blue-winged Teal, Blue-winged Warbler, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Cerulean Warbler, Common Tern, Dunlin, Field Sparrow, Forster's Tern, Hooded Warbler, King Rail, Marbled Godwit, Red-necked Grebe, Redhead, Rusty Blackbird, Short-billed Dowitcher, Short-eared Owl, Solitary Sandpiper, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Franklin's Ground Squirrel, Gravel Chub, Lake Chubsucker, Lake Sturgeon, Least Darter, Redfin Shiner, Starhead Topminnow, Snake, Buck Moth, Columbine Dusky Wing, Dion Skipper, Leafhopper, Liatris Borer Moth, Mulberry Wing, Ottoe Skipper, Poweshiek Skipperling, Regal Fritillary, Silphium Borer Moth, Swamp Metalmark, Two-spotted Skipper
COA(s): South Kettle Moraine

Invasive plants threaten the integrity of remnant plant communities. Given the role of these areas in preserving the State's biodiversity and addressing the needs of SGCN, preventing the further spread of invasives is critically important. This is an invasives plants effort, targeting wetland plant community noted as being a "high priority" opportunity in the Southeast Glacial Plains. SGCN are often the species most sensitive to any modification of their habitat (i.e., "conservative" species), and thus, invasive plants can push these species that are already struggling towards local extinction. Given the focus of this application, one appropriate example would be reed canary grass infestations of wetland plant communities such as sedge meadows and fens, where it can eliminate nesting and feeding habitat for species such as the American bittern and king rail. Back to Top

Lower Chippewa River Prairie, Savanna, and Floodplain Forest Conservation

SGCN: Acadian Flycatcher, American Woodcock, Bald Eagle, Bell's Vireo, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue-winged Teal, Blue-winged Warbler, Bobolink, Brown Thrasher, Canvasback, Cerulean Warbler, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Great Egret, Henslow's Sparrow, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Least Flycatcher, Lesser Scaup, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Bobwhite, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Prothonotary Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Rusty Blackbird, Short-billed Dowitcher, Veery, Vesper Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Whip-poor-will, Willow Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, American Golden Plover, Black Tern, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, King Rail, Osprey, Short-eared Owl, Solitary Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, Whooping Crane, Yellow-throated Warbler, American Bittern, Barn Owl, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Canada Warbler, Dunlin Forster's Tern, Golden-winged Warbler, Horned Grebe, Hudsonian Godwit, Le Conte's Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Marbled Godwit, Red Crossbill Redhead, Trumpeter Swan, Whimbrel, Black Rat Snake, Blanchard's Cricket Frog, Blanding's Turtle, Bullsnake, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Four-toed Salamander, Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle, Northern Prairie Skink, Ornate Box Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Prairie Racerunner, Prairie Ring-necked Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Western Slender Glass Lizard, Western Worm Snake, Wood Turtle, Yellow-bellied Racer, Mudpuppy, Western Ribbon Snake, Northern Long-eared Bat, Eastern Red Bat, Franklin's Ground Squirrel, Hoary Bat, Prairie Vole, Silver-haired Bat, Woodland Vole, Gray Wolf, Water Shrew, White-tailed Jackrabbit, Black Buffalo, Blue Sucker, Bluntnose, Darter Crystal, Darter, Goldeye, Lake Sturgeon, Ozark Minnow, Paddlefish, Pallid Shiner, Redside Dace, River Redhorse, Shoal Chub (Speckled Chub), Starhead, Topminnow, Western Sand Darter, Gilt Darter, American Eel, Lake Chubsucker, Least Darter, Redfin Shiner, Skipjack Herring, Armored Mayfly Beetles (Saxinis omogera, Colaspis suggona), Blue-legged Grasshopper, Brush-legged Mayflies, Buckhorn, Bullhead, Cherrystone Drop, Cleft-footed Minnow, Mayfly, Cobweb Skipper, Columbine Dusky Wing, Common Burrower, Mayfly, Common Netspinner, Caddisfly, Dawson's Spur-throated Grasshopper, Dion Skipper, Dubirahia, Riffle Beetle, Duck-billed Leafhopper, Dusted Skipper, Eastern Red Damsel, Ebony Shell Elephant, Ear Elktoe, Ernestine's Moth, Fawnsfoot, Flat Floater, Flat-headed Mayflies, Fragile Forktail, Frosted Elfin, Gladston's Spur-throat Grasshopper, Gorgone Checkerspot, Green-streaked Grasshopper, Henry's Elfin, Hickory Hairstreak, Higgin's Eye, Hoary Elfin, Karner Blue Butterfly, Knobel's Riffle, Beetle Lancet, Clubtail Leafhoppers (13 SGCN spp), Leonard's Skipper, Mapleleaf Marbleseed Leafminer, Mermiria Grasshopper, Midwest Pleistocene, Vertigo Monkeyface, Mulberry Wing, Northern Marbled Grasshopper, Obscure Grasshopper, Olympia Marble, Ottoe Skipper, Pecatonica River Mayfly, Persius Duskywing, Phlox Moth, Pink Papershell, Prairie Leafhopper, Predaceous Diving Beetles, Purple Wartyback, Pygmy Snaketail, Red-tailed Leafhopper, Regal Fritillary, Rock Pocket Book, Round Pigtoe, Royal River Cruiser, Salamander Mussel, Sand Locust, Sand Snaketail, Seaside Grasshopper, Slough Sandshell, Small Minnow Mayflies, Small Square-gilled Mayfly, Snuffbox, Speckled Rangeland Grasshopper, Spectacle Case, Spot-winged Grasshopper, Spur-throat Grasshopper, Swamp Darner, Virginia Big-headed Tiger Beetle, Wartyback Washboard, Whitney's Underwing Moth, Wild Indigo, Dusky Wing, Wing Snaggletooth, Winged Mapleleaf, Yellow Sandshell
COA(s): Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape, Lower Chippewa Savannas, Lower Chippewa Bluffs and Floodplain, Lower Chippewa River, Lower Red Cedar River

The Lower Chippewa Floodplains have been labeled as the 'best' floodplain system in the Upper Midwest. The objective of this project is to maintain the quality of the habitat by increasing the size of the prairie openings creating a continuum of oak savanna on the terraces and floodplain islands. A reduction in agricultural fragmentation in the floodplain will also occur while, at the same time, protecting and enhancing the wetland systems. In addition, prairie size will be increased by 10%, canopy coverage in savanna areas will be reduced by at least 20% and prescribed burns will be conducted. Back to Top

Management of Burr Oak Opening and Associated Wetland Complexes in the Southern Kettle Moraine and Mukwonago River Watershed.

SGCN: American Bittern, Blue-winged Teal, Blue-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Columbine Dusky Wing, Dion Skipper, Field Sparrow, Franklin's Ground Squirrel, Hooded Warbler, Liatris Borer Moth, Midwestern Fen Buck Moth, Red-tailed Leafhopper, Silphium Borer Moth, Two-spotted Skipper, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Red Bat, Least Flycatcher, Northern Harrier, Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, Red-Headed Woodpecker
COA(s): South Kettle Moraine, Illinois Fox Rivers

The Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan (WWAP) has listed Oak Openings and Oak Woodlands as major ecological opportunities in the Southeast Glacial Plain. By utilizing controlled burns and wood harvests, this grant will restore and enhance 2,800 acres of oak savanna located on both public and private land. Back to Top

Managing the Remnant Plant Communities of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway COA to benefit SGCN

SGCN: Blanchard's Cricket Frog, Blanding's Turtle, Bullsnake, Eastern Massasauga, Four-toed Salamander, Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle, Northern Prairie Skink, Ornate Box Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Prairie Racerunner, Prairie Ring-necked Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Wood Turtle, Acadian Flycatcher, American Golden Plover, American Woodcock, Bald Eagle, Bell's Vireo, Black-billed Cuckoo, Black Tern, Blue-winged Teal, Blue-winged Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Canvasback, Cerulean Warbler, Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Great Egret, Henslow's Sparrow, Kentucky Warbler, King Rail, Lark Sparrow, Least Flycatcher, Lesser Scaup, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Bobwhite, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Prothonotary Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Rusty Blackbird, Short-billed Dowitcher, Veery, Vesper Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Whip-poor-will, Willow Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Pecatonica River Mayfly, Armored Mayfly, Flat-headed Mayflies, Cleft-footed Minnow Mayfly, Sand Snaketail, Brush-legged Mayflies, Fragile Forktail, Eastern Red Damsel, Royal River Cruiser, Small Square-gilled Mayfly, Dubirahia Riffle Beetle, Swamp Darner, Lancet Clubtail, Predaceous diving Beetles, Common Netspinner Caddisfly, Pygmy Snaketail, Small Minnow Mayflies, Common Burrower Mayfly, Knobel's Riffle Beetle, Speckled Rangeland Grasshopper, Green-streaked Grasshopper, Mermiria Grasshopper, Sand Locust, Seaside Grasshopper, Obscure Grasshopper, Spot-winged Grasshopper, Dawson's spur-throated Grasshopper, Blue-legged Grasshopper, Spur-throat Grasshopper, Gladston's Spur-throat Grasshopper, Northern Marbled Grasshopper, Virginia Big-headed Tiger Beetle, Red-tailed Leafhopper
COA(s): Lower Wisconsin to the Prairie du Sac Dam, Lower Wisconsin Bluff & Floodplain

This grant addresses the restoration needs of the SGCN by incorporating large tracts of intact remnant plant communities, from the lowest plane including sedge meadows and associated wetlands, to the dry prairies, savannas, and oak dominated woodlands up above. This restoration will come in the form of invasive species control, including cutting, mowing, pulling, spraying, and conducting prescribed burns. By combining efforts between the Wildlife and Natural Areas programs, we are expanding the sphere of influence lengthwise along the river corridor in areas such as in the Avoca or Mazomanie Units, where we work on adjacent blocks of habitat. Back to Top

Mississippi River Bluff and Loess Influenced Prairie and Savanna Work

SGCN: Bell's Vireo, Black Rat Snake, Black-billed Cuckoo, Prairie Ringneck Snake, Blue-winged Warbler, Timber Rattlesnake, Brown Thrasher, Western Worm Snake, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-bellied Racer, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Wild Indigo, Dusky Wing Least Flycatcher, Peregrine Falcon, Regal Fritillary, Red-headed Woodpecker, Gorgone Checkerspot, Whip-poor-will, Columbine Dusky Wing, Leonard's Skipper, Whitney's Underwing, Wing Snaggletooth, Acadian Flycatcher, Blanding's Turtle, Bald Eagle, Bullsnake, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Prairie Skink, Bobolink, Prairie Racerunner, Grasshopper Sparrow, Wood Turtle, Henslow's Sparrow, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Northern Long-eared Bat, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prairie Vole, Northern Bobwhite, Woodland Vole, Red-shouldered Hawk, Vesper Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Willow Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Short-eared Owl, Upland Sandpiper
COA(s): Mississippi River Bluffs, Mississippi Bluffs and Floodplain, Rush Creek, Lower Kickapoo, Rush River Bluffs and Floodplain, Apple River, Lower St. Croix Uplands, Coulee Forests

The Mississippi River Blufflands and its adjacent environs contain numerous natural communities of exceptional conservation need. Work is needed to maintain and enhance the rare natural communities and maintain habitat for 50 SGCN. This project entails a prescribed burn of 250 acres within the Mississippi River Blufflands, restoration of oak openings and woodlands and expansion and enhancement of goat prairie and shrub habitats through fire, ground layer enhancement, and timber management. It also focuses management and restoration efforts in the loess-influenced forest COAs, emphasizing a matrix of older oak-central hardwood forest with smaller patches of oak woodland, oak opening, regenerating younger forest, native prairies and relict forests. Back to Top

Mississippi River Bluffland Dry Prairie and Oak Woodland Restoration

SGCN: Blue-winged warbler, Brown Thrasher, Cerulean Warbler, Field Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, Black Rat Snake, Bullsnake, Prairie Racerunner, Prairie Ring-necked Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Yellow-bellied Racer, Herp Hibernacula, Columbine Dusky Wing, Gorgone Checkerspot, Leonard's Skipper, Ottoe Skipper, Whitney's Underwing Moth, Wild Indigo Dusky Wing, Wing Snaggletooth Black-billed Cuckoo, Prairie Vole, Woodland Vole, Prairie Leafhopper
COA(s): Missisippi Bluff and Floodplain, Rush Creek

The objectives of this project are to take active steps to restore and maintain dry prairie, oak openings, and oak woodlands and to increase available habitat for SCGN. By conducting prescribed burns and thinning understory, prairie size will be increased, a canopy continuum will be created between the open prairie and the closed canopy woodland areas, and woody invasive plants will be negatively impacted. Back to Top

Mussel Monitoring Program of Wisconsin

SGCN: Aquatic Mussel Species
COA(s): All

Freshwater mussels are a significant component of Wisconsin's aquatic resources. As ecological indicators, mussels are one of the first species to respond to water quality declines, providing a gauge of stream health. Surveys conducted over the past several years have documented significant declines in freshwater mussel populations. The information collected will be used to evaluate the status and distribution of freshwater mussels statewide. Data collected from the two years of monitoring will be used to update information on species of greatest conservation need and fill gaps for species with information needs. Back to Top

Northeast Barrens and Bracken Grassland Restoration

SGCN: Brown Thrasher, Vesper Sparrow, Black-billed Cuckoo, Field Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Red Crossbill, Upland Sandpiper, Whip-poor-will, Golden-winged Warbler, Northern Blue Butterfly, Chrysus Arctic, Hoary Elfin, Pink-edged Sulphur, Tawny Crescent
COA(s): Pine-Oak Barrens, Bracken Grassland, Northern Dry Forest

This proposal will expand continuing efforts to identify and restore the full range of barrens successional stages in terms of the amount and quality of pine barrens, bracken grassland, and shrub habitats, which are unique natural community types that are of global ecological significance in Northeastern Wisconsin. This will be done through fire, ground layer enhancement, and timber management, ultimately augmenting critical habitat for numerous invertebrate and bird SGCN species. Back to Top

Northwest Sands Pine Barrens Management

SGCN: Bobolink, Brown Thrasher, Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Golden-winged Warbler, Northern Harrier, Red-headed Woodpecker, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow. Bullsnake, Northern Prairie Skink, Karner Blue Butterfly, Gorgone Checkerspot, Tawny Crescent, Henry's Elfin, Olympia Marble, Dusted Skipper, Mottled Dusky-wing, Cobweb Skipper, Indian Skipper, Phlox Moth, Graceful Clearwing.
COA(s): Northwest Sands Barrens, Crex Barrens and Wetlands, Namekagon Barrens, Bayfield County Barrens, Fish Lake Barrens and Wetlands

This project will use existing ecological/biological information for selected barrens SGCN and gather current GIS habitat information in the Northwest Sands Ecological Landscape to create a habitat corridor plan (HCP). The HCP, when implemented, will provide habitat for effective dispersal and movement of barrens SGCN between core Pine Barrens habitat areas. Implementation of the HCP will connect currently isolated populations of barrens SGCN, thereby creating larger populations of barrens SGCN. Back to Top

Pine Island Wildlife Area Oak Savanna and Grasslands Enhancement

SGCN: Field Sparrows, Henslow's Sparrows, Brown Thrashers, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Whip-poor-wills, Willow Flycatchers, Regal Fritillary butterflies, Eastern Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Blue-winged Teals, Blanding's Turtles, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes, Wood Turtles, Black-billed Cuckoos, Bobolinks, Dickcissels, Northern Bobwhites, Northern Harriers, Vesper Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks, American Golden Plovers, Lark Sparrows, Le Conte's Sparrows, Short-eared Owls, Upland Sandpipers, Barn Owls, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Ornate Box Turtles, Western Slender Glass Lizards, Prairie Voles
COA(s): Oak Barrens, Southern Sedge Meadow, Wet Prairie, Mesic Prairies, Moist Sandy Meadows, Wet-Mesic Prairies, Oak Openings

This project proposes to perform a timber sale on the 125-acre block of woods, to create an oak savanna. The area harvested would then be chemically treated to prevent unwanted resprouts from establishing. Prescribed burning will be used to maintain the savanna in the future once enough ground litter has accumulated. This project also proposes to use a combination of mowing and chemical application to continue maintaining the newly created savanna, prescribed burning to maintain existing savanna, and to do some removal of woody species and exotic species invasions in the large adjacent grasslands. Back to Top

Publication of the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook: Providing an Information Source to Ensure the Success of the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan.

SGCN: All
COA(s): All

Publication of the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook will provide a peer-reviewed, finalized publication as an information base for implementation and monitoring of the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan as well as for many other natural resources planning efforts. Publication of the Handbook would make available the current information needed to sustain all SGCN and Natural Communities in the state. The project objective is to complete and publish the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook providing documentation for a large part of the information on which the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan and Priority Conservation Actions and Priority COAs are based. Back to Top

Queen Snake Hibernacula Assessment

SGCN: Queen Snake
COA(s): Turtle Creek, Oconomowoc River, Sugar River, Raccoon Creek, Sugar Creek, Bark River, Milwaukee River, South Kettle Moraine, North Kettle Moraine, Avon Bottoms

This project will begin the process of a complete and comprehensive inventory by testing survey methods and determining detection probabilities at known occupied sites. Queen snakes are currently known from only two reliable sites with unverified and/or very old records from several Milwaukee and Rock River basin sites, including the Sugar River. Given the species' extreme rarity, its confirmed presence should play a key role in site management, and identifying these sites will allow for preservation and enhancement of critical habitat important to the long term viability of the species. Completion of this survey will provide the most comprehensive inventory to date for Queen snakes. Back to Top

Restoration of Alvar and Escarpment Habitat at Red Banks Alvar and Stockbridge Ledge Woods State Natural Areas

SGCN: Mottled Dusky Wing, Mulberry Wing, Broad-winged Skipper, Leafhopper, Land Snail, Sculptured Glyph, Brilliant Granule, Cherrystone Drop, Dentate Supercoil, Midwest Pleistocene Vertigo, Iowa Pleistocene Vertigo, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Swainson's Thrush, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Canada Warbler.
COA(s): Calumet Escarpment, Red Banks Escarpment, Red Banks Alvar

This project implements several necessary conservation actions, including the control of invasive flora such as buckthorn and garlic mustard, thinning densely vegetated areas by implementing a prescribed burn program, and preserving habitat by protecting it from conversion to other uses. Back to Top

Scuppernong River Habitat Area Phase II

SGCN: Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Harrier, Red-headed Woodpecker, Short-eared Owl, Western Meadowlark, Whip-poor-will, Field Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, Franklin's Ground Squirrel, Blanding's Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Butler's Garter Snake, Queen Snake, Powesheik Skipperling, Silphium Borer Moth, Buck Moth, Swamp Metalmark, Red-tailed Prairie Leafhopper
COA(s): Southeast Glacial Plains Burr Oak Openings, Kettle Moraine Features, Large Sedge Meadows, Fens and Prairies, High Quality Wetland Communities, Extensive Grassland Communities, Southeast Glacial Plain Marshes

The objective of this grant is to create the largest wet prairie east of the Mississippi river and create better habitat/security for the species of greatest conservation need for this project. The 3,500 acre Scuppernong River Habitat Area contains some of the most impressive wet prairie remnants left in the state. It also has shown an unbelievable ability known as the "Crex Meadow Effect" in which a native prairie returns to an area where it formerly existed as the result of a series of restoration efforts such as controlled burns and tree removal. Many acres of high quality prairie that now exist were not in existence a few years ago. Back to Top

Sixteen Mammal 'Species of Information Need': "Safe" or "Conservation Need?"

SGCN: Masked Shrew, Arctic Shrew, Pygmy Shrew, Northern Short-tailed Shrew, Eastern Mole, Fisher, American Badger, Eastern Fox Squirrel, Least Chipmunk, Plains Pocket Gopher, Southern Red-backed Vole, Deer Mouse, Western Harvest Mouse, Southern Bog Lemming, Meadow Jumping Mouse, Snowshoe Hare
COA(s): All

Very little information exists for mammal SINs because, with the exception of the fisher, no standardized periodic field surveys exist to produce the necessary data. This project will acquire and compile existing data and gather new population data. A main objective of the project is to make these data available to the public and research community via the online and free EcoAtlas website. Back to Top

Surveys of Large and Medium River Floodplain Habitats for Fish Species with Inventory Needs and SGCN

SGCN: Pirate Perch, Pugnose Minnow, Weed Shiner, Mud Darter, Silver Chub, Starhead Topminnow, Least Darter, Lake Chubsucker, Mississippi Grass Shrimp
COA(s): Lower Wisconsin River, Black River, Chippewa River

In the 2005 Wildlife Action Plan, a number of species were not considered for SGCN category, because of insufficient inventory data. In an effort to enhance our understanding of the habitat preferences and status of these rare fishes this grant expands recent sampling along the Lower Wisconsin River and other medium and large river systems that have potential to support these species. An intensive survey of large and medium river floodplain habitat will greatly improve understanding regarding the statewide status of these rare fishes. Back to Top

Threatened Fish Fauna of the Upper St. Croix River

SGCN: Greater Redhorse, River Redhorse, Gilt Darter
COA(s): Northwest Lowlands Ecological Landscape, Medium-sized Rivers and Streams, Upper St. Croix River Northwest Sands Ecological Landscape, Upper St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers

This project will investigate the present distribution and relative abundance of these fishes in the Upper St. Croix River system, including upstream reaches of the Namekagon, and evaluate temperature profiles that may improve prediction of future gilt darter restoration project outcomes. To aid understanding of SGCN distributions, thermal profiles and instream habitat will be evaluated to understand distributional limits, identify critical habitat, and identify conservation issues related to future climate change in this COA. This information will assist WDNR fisheries management and NPS biologists, and other land management professionals with decision-making relevant to protection of habitat for rare fish in the St. Croix, and will potentially assist fisheries managers with protection and restoration of habitat in other rivers, within and beyond Wisconsin, where these SGCN persist. Back to Top

Training Conservationists to Provide Habitat for the Wild & Rare

SGCN: Blue-spotted Salamander, Central Newt, Common Mudpuppy, Eastern Tiger Salamander, Four-toed Salamander, American Bullfrog, Boreal Chorus Frog, Cope's Gray Treefrog, Eastern American Toad, Eastern Cricket Frog, Gray Treefrog, Northern Green Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, Pickerel Frog, Spring Peeper, Wood Frog, Bullsnake, Common Gartersnake, Common Watersnake, Dekay's Brownsnake, Eastern Hog-nosed snake, Eastern Milksnake, Gray Ratsnake, North American Racer, Northern Red-bellied Snake, Prairie Ring-necked Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Western Foxsnake, Blanding's Turtle, Painted Turtle, Snapping Turtle, Spiny Softshell Turtle, Wood Turtle.
COA(s): Global, Continental, and State Conservation Areas

The primary objective of this project is to train over 80 conservationists on how improve water quality and riparian habitat in such a way that benefits multiple and non-game species. Additionally, it will create a "Streamside & Aquatic Health" guide that will address the needs of many SGCN and will educate conservationists on a variety of funding opportunities to fund projects that incorporate non-game habitat. Back to Top

Using the Natural Heritage Inventory Database as a Tool to Determine if Wisconsin's Natural Communities with Information Needs (as Identified by WWAP) are Priority Natural Communities.

COA(s): All

Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan (WWAP) recognized the need for more information related to the ecology of several natural communities in order to determine whether or not they should be considered a priority natural community in the 2015 plan update. This project will address that need by systematically gathering information related to the Natural Communities with Information Needs and the Species with Information Needs on the Natural Heritage Inventory Working List associated with them. Back to Top

Wisconsin Land Snail Database and Status Surveys in the Driftless Area

SGCN: Land Snails
COA(s): Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape

The terrestrial snails of North America are a diverse and imperiled group but conservation status of the majority of species is uncertain. Previous research has estimated the land snail diversity of Wisconsin to comprise ~100 species of terrestrial snails; however, there is little population information available for more than half of these species. This project will systematically assemble a database of collections for all of Wisconsin's terrestrial gastropods and will focus surveys on Conservation Opportunity Areas in order to update the State's status rank and generate a species list for public and private land managers to develop appropriate conservation strategies. Back to Top