LIP Priority Area for 2012

The Driftless Area, also known as the Paleozoic Plateau or Upper Mississippi River blufflands, covers approximately 24,000 square miles across southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and northwest Illinois. “Driftless” refers to the fact that the area escaped coverage by glacial drifts that covered much of the upper Midwest during the latter part of the Pleistocene epoch, roughly 26,000 to 10,000 years ago.

The driftless landscape is characterized by highly dissected uplands with deeply cut valleys and contains some of the highest quality remnants of Oak Savanna, Prairies, forests, and streams remaining in the upper Midwest states. It contains one of the highest concentrations of spring-fed coldwater and cool-water streams in the United States, streams which cut through karst bedrock to create cliffs and algific talus slopes, providing habitat for plant and animal species that are either unique to this area or at the limits of their ranges.

Private landowners of prairie and savanna habitat are vital to meeting the challenge to protect and manage this region. In Wisconsin, more than 97% of the 7.4 million acre driftless area is privately owned. Thus, improving the status of SGCN in the Driftless Area depends overwhelmingly on the active engagement of private landowners. Additional information on habitats and species in this landscape can be found in Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin. (see Western Coulees and Ridges and Southwest Savanna).

Projects:

Landowner Incentive Program projects for this area include control of invasive species, planting native species and other projects to manage or restore prairie or oak savanna/woodland habitat for Species of Greatest Conservation Need.