Current and Past LIP Projects
Grant County

Ventura/Krome Savannah Restoration

Project and Site Description:
The goal of the project is to restore prairie, savannah, and oak woodland habitat through prescribed burning, removal of invasives, and spot seeding. It will include creation of firebreaks around the edge of each unit so that burning can continue beyond the project period. Invasive species near the firebreaks and those that remain after two successful burns will be removed mechanically, with stump poisoning. Where land is significantly disturbed (e.g., near fire breaks and where fire burns intensively), spot seeding with savannah grass and forb mixes native to southwest will be hand broadcast; otherwise, residual native plants will be encouraged. Sites will be monitored through transects at least twice per year for the next five years to document changes in conditions and species composition.

This site was degraded by unsustainable cattle grazing up to 1992, though it has never been tilled. Because the area is either steep or shallow to bedrock and thus not very productive, it was not actively managed as pasture (apparently never herbicided, manured, cut for hay, etc.) so residual native plants can still be found, as well as 100+ year old open grown oaks. Since 1992, cattle have not been present so both native and exotic invasives are rapidly encroaching. Given the topography and the limited time for management, fire is the only realistic tool for maintaining these as open areas. The result should be a contribution to the overall goals of the Snow Bottom State Natural Area, providing a complement to adjacent white pine relicts and dry-mesic oak woodland, and providing openings and edges for numerous wildlife species. In particular, a rattlesnake hibernaculum occurs at the site and would be ill-served by continued growth of a dense, brushy understory. The site offers spectacular views of the Blue River Valley; the reciprocal view from public lands in this area to oak savannah on the site will be lost without aggressive control of shrubby growth.

Kussmaul Savanna

Project and Site Description:
This project will contribute to an ongoing restoration effort. Past effort has focused on prairie work and removal of aspen and honeysuckle, so LIP work will concentrate on the adjacent oak savanna and woods. Several acres have already been cleared out to become savanna, and the goal is to expand this area to below the bluff line to open up the rock faces and the rocky hillside below. It will reopen some areas that still have some grasses growing.

The land has not been pastured for more than 30 years. It was sitting idle until I began restoration work about ten years ago. It had become rather heavily wooded. A couple of acres are prairie, including a couple of small undisturbed remnants. Several acres have been restored as savanna and more is being opened up at this time. The site is adjacent to additional prairie and savanna restorations and the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, which is woodland with a small portion being managed as prairie.

Parish Back Bluffs

Project and Site Description:
The goal of this project is to expand prairie and savanna habitat with a special emphasis on the basking and den-site needs of snakes. LIP will be funding removal of encroaching cedars and black locusts, creation of a firebreak, and prescribed burning on 25 acres. This work will benefit on-site species and additional species on adjacent property may expand into this area. The landowner is contributing a 52% match composed of both financial investment and in-kind labor and places an emphasis on future maintenance and monitoring species for results.

This site is part of a much larger complex called Snow Bottom Natural Area which features Snow Bottom State Natural Area features a diverse and spectacular landscape encompassing the most significant remaining pine relicts in Wisconsin, as well as many other important and uncommon native plant communities including fen and springs, southern dry-mesic forest and oak woodland, riparian areas, and geological features. Located on the scattered sandstone outcrops are the pine relicts-- isolated stands of white and red pine with occasional jack pine. Some partners protecting and managing the uplands and the trout streams found here include a local land trust, the State Natural Areas Program and Trout Unlimited.

Wisconsin River Valley Bluff Prairie Restoration

Project and Site Description:
The site is made up of the northernmost of two west-facing sandstone bluff prairie remnants along with the degraded oak savanna below and between them. The southernmost goat prairie is in somewhat better condition, having been partially cleared and burned in 2000. Although the site has become overgrown with red cedar, common juniper, mulberry, aspen, birch and prickly ash, the remaining open remnants are very high quality, containing significant populations of Cirsium hillii (over 200) and Agalinis skinneriana (some years over 1,000).

The restoration work which has begun with USFWS assistance must be continued. To leave the site partially cleared and unburned would invite the invasion of exotics, and directly endanger the colonies of Cirsium hillii, Agalinis skinneriana, and the other species that depend upon pristine prairie habitat.