Prairie and Oak Savanna Restoration

The Stearns County Parks Department and Stearns Conservation District (SCD) worked together to complete restoration work in the Mississippi River Park. The Prairie and Oak Savanna restoration project is broken up into four categories: A.) Prairie Restoration, B.) Prairie Enhancement, C.) Oak Savanna Understory Restoration, and D.) Woody Invasive Species and Tree Removal.

Components:

• Prairie Restoration – Restoring and establishing the land with native prairie vegetation and plants which increases ecological diversity to provide food, shelter, and provide habitat for wildlife. The native vegetation established is suitable for the soil.

• Prairie Enhancement – Enhancing the existing prairie by planting additional native plants, flowers, and tall grasses in the area.

• Oak Savanna Understory – An Oak Savanna is an area with existing oak trees which have openings underneath. The existing understory was converted to a variety of prairie grasses and wildflowers.

• Woody Invasive Species and Tree Removal – The Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa cut buckhorn, chemically treated the stumps and removed the excess material. The removal of invasive species is vital for native plants to continue to grow and thrive.

There were over 35 species of native plants established which ranged from native grasses, forbs, sedges, and rushes.

Benefits:

• The native prairie vegetation and plants increases ecological diversity

• Provides food, shelter, and habitat

• Removes invasive species for native plants to continue to grow and thrive

Pollution Reduction Estimates:

• Sediment: 159 tons/yr.

• Phosphorus: 158 lbs./yr.

Partners on this project included Stearns County Parks, Stearns Conservation District, West Central TSA, and MN Conservation Corps.