Current and Past LIP Projects
Lafayette County

2009: Removal of invasive species, create savanna and grassland bird habitat

Project Goal and Site Description:
To provide habitat for grassland birds by removing a large fence row/treeline. These trees and woody invasives are currently acting as obstacles to grassland birds that need larger acreage for suitable nesting. This project would enhance the current landscape, which is largely pasture and hayfields. LIP funds would be the first step, but the most costly step, in this landscape scale grassland restoration project.

The entire acreage is pasture and tillable. The LIP acres are woods with multiflora rose and other brush and is part of a larger working farm. Acreage is a largely open, rolling landscape, with the exception of scattered, degraded oak savanna. Over the years the pastures have become invaded with woody invasives including honeysuckle, prickly ash and multiflora rose. This acreage is part of a much larger family-owned landscape that is all tillable (largely hay) and pasture. It has the capacity to provide significant grassland bird habitat. A good portion of Cannon Creek runs through the property. Other significant habitats include a southern sedge meadow associated with springs and the creek. In addition, for years we have maintained numerous waterways on our adjacent property.

Savanna and Prairie Restoration

Project and Site Description:
There are 65 acres of restored prairie on the property, 122.5 in CRP and a 20 acre savanna that has had partial re-seeding, with some remnant plants there, including shooting star, early buttercup, eastern prickly pear, prairie violet, yellow star grass, violet wood sorrel, birds foot violet and lead plant. There are also patches of Indian grass, side oats grama, little and big blue and switch grass. A designated trout stream runs the length of the property. An adjacent slope has many cream false indigo plants, as well as lead plant, sky blue aster, birds foot violet, early buttercup, violet wood sorrel, extensive Mead's sedge, prairie rose, hairy hawkweed, spiderwort, three-awn grass and an unidentified dropseed. The middle of the land is mostly wetland- a hummock sedge meadow that has been overgrown with a full complement of wetland forbs. There are two small patches of wild hyacinth.

This work will follow up on activities paid for under a USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife grant. The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is also contributing towards work at this site. LIP Funding will allow for restoration of degraded savanna areas that otherwise would be out of the reach of the landowner and current partners.