Current and Past LIP Projects
Vernon County

2009: Jug Creek Grassland Restoration (Vernon County)

Project Goal and Site Description:
The goal is to improve grassland bird habitat, restore the native plant community and provide additional habitat for species found in grasslands on the adjacent KVR. This will be accomplished by removing honeysuckle in the pasture and clearing trees from old and existing fence lines. Clearing the fence line that borders the neighbors' property will open up the birds-eye view even further. Up species diversity and structure thru burning and over seeding with local sources of grasses and forbs.

This site is located in the Driftless Area, 1/2 mile east of the Kickapoo River. It has both valley and upland. Within the site there is a old field to the west, a pasture no longer being grazed with some prairie indicator species to the east, as well as a small 2 acre early stage prairie restoration and a 2 acre hay field to the So. The pasture was lightly grazed by 2 horses in 2007. Blue-eyed grass, bush clover, cream gentian and ladies tresses are present. Honeysuckle, thistles and other brush have invaded the interior of the pasture. Old and existing fence lines contain trees and brush in and around the perimeter.

The 2 acre restoration in progress lies adjacent to a DOT wetland mitigation site on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve (exit DNR). It is located on the south side of Jug Creek Road. Planted in conjunction with the mitigation site, it provides additional upland prairie habitat. The site wasn't properly prepared and needs more work in order to be effective.

2009: Model Driftless Area Oak Savanna and Prairie Restoration on a Working Farm

Project Goal and Site Description:
The goal of the project is to restore oak savanna on south aspect slopes (areas 1, 2, and 5 -- see map) to enhance habitat for formerly abundant at-risk species, such as Whip-poor-wills, increase the abundance of prairie plants, encourage oak regeneration, and make the area suitable for light grazing (< 20 beef cattle).

The LIP project site is 28.6 acres within a 61-acre southern aspect oak and hickory woodland on a 200-acre working farm. The area has excellent savanna structure with many 100+ year-old oak and hickory trees and remnant prairie sod that until recently supported abundant populations of at-risk species such as American Woodcock, black rat snake, Bobolink, bullsnake, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Gray Fox, Northern Flying Squirrel, Red-headed Woodpecker and yellow gentians. The once open-grown oak and hickory trees are now surrounded by woody species such as bush honeysuckle, multi-flora rose, prickly ash, and red cedar. The site has not been plowed or intensively grazed in 50 years, if ever. Clearing of invasive woody species to restore prairie and oak savanna habitat is an ongoing effort. The entire 200 acres currently supports 15 beef cattle, and the LIP site is grazed lightly, as the animals prefer better pasture closer to their water source.

2009: Prairie and oak savanna restoration within the Kickapoo River Valley

Project Goal and Site Description:
The goal of this project is to increase the species diversity, of the dry prairie and oak savanna habitat by introducing fire and opening up the canopy, to provide additional habitat for grassland nesting birds, and to open the dry cliffs along the prairie for the possibility of colonization by timber rattlesnakes. Clearing the oak savanna will help to create a connection and corridor between the prairie and surrogate grasslands (hayfields/CRP) for birds, reptiles, and invertebrates.

The land is currently primarily forest land, with 58 acres of organic hayfields and CRP grasslands. 12 acres of the property include a diverse remnant native prairie and oak savanna, with large open-grown bur oak trees. The prairie includes many conservative native species. The size and location of the upland organic hayfields provide ideal nesting habitat, and currently host a large population of breeding bobolinks and other grassland birds. The landowners are especially fond of the bobolinks, recording the dates each spring that they arrive, and only allowing hay cutting after July 15th. No machinery is allowed in the grasslands/hayfields at any time during nesting season, as they try to disturb the birds as little as possible. The forest is managed sustainable under the Managed Forest Law. The landowners are very conscientious about their land, and will only allow timber harvest with livestock to avoid installing logging roads or tearing up the forest lands more than necessary.