Current and Past LIP Projects
Crawford County

2010: Sun Circle Prairie

Project Goal and Site Description:
The goal of this project is to improve and increase habitat for grassland birds by planting local ecotype prairie, where we currently have 10 acres of ridge top degraded hay field, and by removing a treeline between our smaller field and a larger 20 acre CRP field. This hay field consists of a large east-facing bowl, a south facing slope, and a flat area as well. It are separated from 20 acres of CRP grass, by a row of trees on the south property line, these trees would be removed to integrate our field with theirs, achieving a 30 acre plot of mature grass.

There are 20 acres CRP land in grass, directly to the south, along with 450 acres of DNR land. Neighbors to the north own 120 acres of MFL land, and are working on the restoration of an intact savanna remnant. Other neighbors on the ridge are drafting an easement with MVC, and undergoing restoration of 20-40 acres of oak forest. Most neighbors have expressed interest in easements, grants, prescribed burns, MFL, invasive species control, and/or other conservation/restoration efforts.|

The landowners offer educational tours (schools, articles, TV News, etc) to see our high-efficiency, solar, straw bale home. The home is a proto-type for others interested in (or curious about) low-impact building and living. They have also facilitated Co-Management along with six farms along the ridge who have met regularly to discuss invasive species control, conservation plans/priorities, easements, and a shared vision.

2010: Kickapoo Bluff Savanna

Project Goal and Site Description:
The goal of this project is to reduce shading on a high-quality remnant savanna and to continue to protect two goat prairie remnants within the savanna area from invasion by brush and woody species. The site supports many rare species and is adjacent to a state natural area. Its position on the lower Kickapoo River is also adjacent to several large tracts of privately owned open land, each 600 to 1,000 acres in size. Parts of these properties are already protected by easement and others have potential to be protected in the future. Serving as an example for these local landowners, the project could protect and expand habitat for many species far beyond the 23 acres.

In addition to the many plants, insects and animals that make their homes here, the land is currently used for hunting and limited timber. This site runs adjacent to the Hogback Prairie State Natural Area. It is situated on a steep-sided limestone-capped bluff that rises 400' above the Kickapoo River Valley. The multiple aspects of the property have resulted in an unusual mix of plants; blending typical dry prairie species such as side oats grama, little blue-stem, purple prairie-clover and hoary vervain with species such as wide leafed panic grass, bottle brush grass and mountain mint that are more characteristic of moister prairies and savannas. To the north the slope decreases and the prairie grades into oak woods and an oak openings with a nice assortment of savanna species including poke milkweed, ebony spleenwort, tinkers weed, and yellow false foxglove. On the steeper southerly slope are two "goat prairies" surrounded by brushy woods containing open-grown bur oaks.

Oak Coulee Woods

Project and Site Description:
The goal of this project is to restore 150 acres of oak savanna and prairie habitat by reducing woody encroachment, improving species diversity, and restoring natural conditions. LIP will be used to fund removal of woody invasives, tree girdling, and several prescribed burns, with the Landowners contributing 60% in match. This work will benefit numerous species on site and will also expand habitat for species found on adjacent land. The project includes ongoing maintenance and monitoring.

This site is in the process of being designated as a State Natural Area. The portions of oak savanna are supported on ravines and north-facing slopes, with the upper slopes exhibiting a mix of mesic, dry-mesic, and dry forest, and shaded and exposed cliff. A small dry prairie is found at the end of a west-facing ridge. The landowners have developed a strong land ethic which moves away from technology-driven means, such as herbicide, in favor of more natural and frequently labor-intensive means.

Deuster Savanna/Prairie Restoration

Project and Site Description:
The goal of this project is to reduce shading on a high-quality remnant savanna. This site supports many species and is adjacent to a state natural area. Thus the work here will help to expand habitat for many other species. The landowner is contributing a 50% match and highlights future maintenance of system w/ prescribed burning, extensive cross-species monitoring.

This site runs adjacent to the Rush Creek State Natural Area, which covers a two-mile long series of dry lime prairies situated on the steep southwest facing limestone-capped bluffs of the Mississippi River. These "goat prairies", named for their steep, rocky terrain, are part of the most extensive dry prairie remnants left in the state. While most Wisconsin prairies were lost to the plow or development, Rush Creek's steepness and dry southwestern exposure are largely responsible for its preservation. Characteristic plants include lead-plant, little blue-stem, side-oats grama, silky aster, blazing-star, wood betony, compass plant, and bird's-foot violet. The narrow north and east-facing slopes bluff tops are forested with red and white oak and a significant amount of black walnut, hickory, basswood, sugar maple, and aspen. Common shrubs and mid-canopy species include gray and round-leaved dogwood, American hazelnut, sumac, and ironwood with a good diversity of woodland herbs and forbs. The spring-fed Rush Creek is cool and clear and supports a floodplain forest of silver and red maples, elm, cottonwood, river birch, and willow. The extensive nature and diversity of vegetation make Rush Creek important habitat for numerous rare plants and animals. Rare plants include purple milkweed), hairy meadow-parsnip , broad beech fern, and Kentucky coffee tree. Rare animals include wing snaggletooth, Kentucky and cerulean warblers, Acadian flycatcher, red-shouldered hawk, and the gorgonne checkerspot butterfly.