Prairie Planting and Wetland Restoration

This property drains directly to North Browns Lake, which has been listed as an impaired body of water for total nutrients since 2008. The landowners decided to enroll about 17 acres of their land into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). They planted a 4.7-acre field windbreak and completed a 12.1-acre wetland restoration on some marginal cropland. As these practices became more established, the they noticed the increased wildlife and water quality benefits as a result.

They also implemented a prairie planting to help protect and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on land adjacent to North Browns Lake. The native prairie planting includes 32 species, of which were 9 native grasses, and 23 wildflowers. Some species include big bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, black-eyed Susan, yarrow, aster, verbena, and many other species. The native prairie planting provides essential habitat for a diverse range of wildlife. Through the years, a total of 73 acres of the property has been converted from cropland to perennial vegetation. The wetland restorations decreases pollutants from entering surface waters, such as North Browns Lake, as well as providing flood retention after rain or snow melt events.

Components:

• Native prairie seed

• Wetland scrapes

• Earthen dam

Benefits:

• Flood retention

• Erosion control

• Improve water quality

• Wildlife habitat pollution reductions

Partners on this project included the landowner, USDA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, WCTSA, and North Browns Lake Association.