In semi-open, brushland landscapes, restoration and maintenance with prescribed burning, mowing or shearing is appropriate to sustain habitat for wildlife such as sharp-tailed grouse, loggerhead shrikes and elk. Planting trees or lack of management that allows forest to grow is discouraged.
Examples
- Protect: Maintain habitat through conservation easements on private land or acquisition.
- Restore: Savanna and bog restoration and enhancement.
- Enhance: Improve habitats with methods such as prescribed burning, mowing or shearing, timber harvest andinvasive species control.
Landowner assistance
- Natural Resource Conservation Service: With a mission of "helping people help the land," the agency provides services that enable people to be good stewards of soil, water and related natural resources.
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Local units of government that manage and direct natural resource management programs at the local, often county level, and work with landowners. Some Districts have local foresters.
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for Fish & Wildlife: A federal program that focuses on assisting landowners with wetland, prairie, and stream restoration projects. Expert technical assistance and cost-share incentives are provided through voluntary agreements.
- Prairie protection for landowners is a focus of the DNR. Contact a prairie specialist to learn more about how you can be part of the native prairie bank and native prairie tax exemption programs.
- Pheasants Forever offers the services of its farm bill biologists. The organization works to conserve pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.
Resources
- Management tips from the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society
- The landowner's toolbox from the National Wild Turkey Federation.
- Native plant suppliers and landscapers in Minnesota
- The Prairie Enthusiasts
- The Conservation Fund
- DNR habitat guides