Grant Recipient: The Nature Conservancy
Grant Award: $869,189
Lake Basin: Erie
Project Location: Lakeplain Oak Openings Region of the Western Lake Erie basin, located within a six-county region of northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan
Project Description: The Nature Conservancy and partners will restore 400 acres of wetlands and 100 acres of associated uplands on public and private lands within the Lakeplain Oak Openings of the western Lake Erie basin. Restoration techniques will include: 1) selective cutting of invasive tree and shrub species followed by cut stump herbicide treatment; 2) multiple targeted foliar herbicide applications on herbaceous invasive species; and 3) application of prescribed fire to control invasive species and promote growth and seed production of the native vegetation. Through this work, the project will improve habitat within the Detroit River, River Raisin and Maumee River Areas of Concern and benefit many species of concern, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly, federally threatened eastern prairie fringed orchid, and state-listed species such as Blanding’s turtle and blue-spotted salamander.
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Butterfly weed in an area of Sumpter Prairie (MI) in good condition.
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An area of Sumpter Prairie degraded by encroachment of trees and invasive shrubs.
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