TPE Land Protection Project Proposal

Project Name: Alexander Savanna

Landowners: Dick & Joan Alexander

Lead Chapter: St. Croix Valley

Location: The site is in northern Pierce County, 1.3 miles southeast of Rive Falls, WI along HW 65. Township 27 North, Range 18 East, Section 17.

Size: 42.89 acres* *There is a small parcel of 2.5 acres contiguous to the north of HW65 that the proposal is not currently pursuing. Further conversations with the owners will determine what happens with this piece, but it not in the plan to be included in this proposal.

Description: The property is located just south of the City of River Falls along HW 65. The site consists of remnant oak, dry mesic prairie, and woodland. It consists of a large ridgeline that transects the site from northwest to southeast, with the most significant remnants along the southwest slope of the site. The western boundary is an old railroad bed, with a small 4-acre crop field in the southern portion of the site.

Conservation Significance: The property is a good representation of a restored savanna, which is still going through restoration efforts. The SCV chapter has been managing the site for nearly 20 years, and before that the WI chapter of The Nature Conservancy had recognized the conservation significance of the site and secured a first right of refusal in 1985, which was transferred to TPE in 2003. In the original first right of refusal it states that the site is known to contain kitten tails (Besseya bullii), prairie bush clover ( leptostachya), buffalo bean (Atragalus crassicarpus), and Carolina Anemone (Anemone caroliniana). Currently the site continues to have a population of kitten tails, prairie bush clover is not observed by TPE land managers, but was documented once in the 1980s as noted in the TNC’s first right of refusal.

Expansion Potential: The expansion potential of the site is somewhat limited. There contiguous land to the north, south, and west that could be expanded upon in the future. These areas are somewhat limited as there are smaller residential lots that are adjacent to the contiguous land. Being that the land is so close to the City of River Falls, there is future development pressure.

TPE & Other Conservation History with the Site: As noted, the SCV Chapter has been actively working on the site for nearly 20 years. Over this time the chapter land manager Wayne Hunke has developed a great working relationship with the owners Dick & Joan Alexander. Over the years the chapter has gotten several land management grants from the US FWS & WI DNR to conduct restoration activities. The grants have focused on brush and tree removal and overseeding with local genotype seed, and have been matched by regular chapter work parties and prescribed burns. Dick has always said that he intends for TPE to get the property in the future, and has actively participated in the work parties and burning over the years. The site is one of three that the SCV chapter focuses their efforts on, the two others are owned by the City of River Falls & the MN DOT, thus conserving this site has been a long-term goal of the chapter.

Acquisition Cost & Funding Plan: In the summer of 2016 TPE staff were able to approach the owners through a donor recognition event hosted on the property. During follow up conversations, the owners are willing to consider a 50% bargain sale. The chapter is in favor of pursuing a WI DNR Stewardship grant with the sellers contributing the 50% match for TPE to purchase the site.

Land Management Funding/Implementing Plan: Staff is approaching the owners to see if they would be willing to consider establishing some type of endowment for the site. In addition, there is a small 4-acre crop field that will likely be restored to native prairie; in the meantime, a CRP contract will be pursued. This funding could be invested into a fund for the site if needed. In addition, the chapter will continue regular work parties and conduct prescribed burns, as well as pursuing additional funding from grants through the US FWS & WI DNR.

Attachments (maps, aerial photos, species lists, etc.): Included are an aerial and a topographic map of the property as well as a species list compiled by the chapter.

Prepared by: Chris Kirkpatrick

Date: November 22, 2016

Land Protection Projects Ranking Criteria Score Site: Alexander Savanna

Sheet Score Category range Score Comments 1) Fits TPE mission? SCV chapter has managed site for 20+ yes/no yes yrs. 2) Funding for management, Pursuing inquiry with owners, options on monitoring, and legal defense? CRP contracts, grant support, and work 0-10 5 parties Excellent dry prairie and oak savanna 3) Natural area quality? 0-40 that has been and currently is actively 35 managed 4) Critical habitat for rare and Of note are kittentails, historically prairie declining species? 0-10 10 bushclover was found on site 5) Environmental gradients? 0-5 There is dry prairie, oak savanna, oak 3 woodland and a dry mesic crop field 6) Landscape context

a. Parcel size? Given the area, it is a fairly large 5-15 10 restored savanna b. Proximity to other natural Nothing adjacent, but it is in the areas? Kinnickinic River watershed, where other 0-5 4 land trusts are active c. Opportunity for expansion? There is some opportunity on adjacent 0-5 3 land, yet there are residential lots nearby d. Adjacent land uses Currently the adjacent land use is compatible? compatible, future residential use could 0-5 3 be a future issue 7) Education & outreach The site is already used by UWRF & opportunities? local school groups and has access from 0-10 8 HW65 8) Is TPE the most appropriate agent? TPE has worked on this site for 20+ years and no one else would be more 0-5 5 appropriate 9) Other considerations? SCV chapter's focus is on three sites, 0-5 5 this is the only one they can purchase 10) Included within a larger It in in the DNR Western Prairie Eco- conservation project? region, it’s a priority for SCV, & in the 0-10 7 Kinni River area Total 125 max 98

Prepared by: Chris Kirkpatrick Date: 11/22/2016

Alexander Savanna, The Prairie Enthusiasts Pierce County, WI Aerial Photo with Property Boundaries

Alexander Savanna, The Prairie Enthusiasts Pierce County, WI Topographic Map with Property Boundaries

Alexander Savanna Species List

05/31/12 -- partial list compiled by V. Gaynor 5/31/12-- list updated by W. Huhnke, M. Miller,B. Bend,K,Rlyea J. kant, R. McManus,C. Grant, S. Goode, V. Gaynor 2016 -- list updated Comm CoEff Prairie Scientific Common Code Cons Status Name Name

Scientific Name Common Name

PM 1 PM Achillea millefolium common yarrow 7 Actea rubra Baneberry 4 Agastache scrophulariaefolia giant Hyssop PD 0 Ambrosia artemisifolia common ragweed SW 0 Ambrosia trifida Giant ragweed

PD 7 PM leadplant 5 Amphicarpea bracteata Hog Peanut PM 4 PM big bluestem 4 Anemone canadensis Canada anenome CG 6 PI Anemone cylindrica long-headed thimbleweed 6 Anemone quinquefolia wood anenome 3 Antennaria sp. pussytoes 5 Aquilegia canadensis Arctium minus burdock 7 Arenaria stricta sandwort PD 5 PN Artemisia caudata wormwoood POM 8 PM Artemisia ludoviciana Prairie sage 7 Asarum canadense wild ginger P WM 1 PM Asclepias syriaca common milkweed PD 2 PI Asclepias verticillata whorled milkweed PDM 5 PM Aster azureus sky blue aster 6 Aster cordifolius Heart-leaf aster PD 10 PI Aster sericeus silky aster 10 Astragulus crassicarpus Prarie plum SDM 4 Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern PM- OO 9 OSM Besseyi bullii Kittentails PD 6 PI Side-oats grams grass 6 Bromus altissimus ear leaved brome 4 Campanula americana Tall bellflower CG 5 Campanula rotundifolia Harebells 3 Carex blanda 3 Carex pennsylvanica 6 Carex sprengellii Carex spp. sedge W A Centaurea maculosa knapweed PM 4 PI Cirsium discolor field thistle 8 Claytonia caroliniana Spring beauty 6 Clematis virginiana Virgins bower PM- OB 6 OSM Comandra umbellata PD 7 PI purple prairie clover PDM 7 PM Delphinium virescens Prarie larkspur 7 Desmodium nudiflorum Naked tick trefoil 4 Dioscorea villosa colic root 4 Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye 6 Elymus hystrix Bottlebrush grass 6 Elymus riparius Riverbank rye 6 Elymus virginicus Virgina wild rye Equisteum sp. PW 4 PM Erigeron pulchellus Robin's plantain Erigeron sp. daisy fleabane 6 Eupatorium purpurea Sweet Joe Pye SDM 1 Eupatorium rugosum White snakeroot

PN- OB 4 OSM flowering spurge ND 1 PI Fragaria virginiana wild strawberry FN 5 PI Galium boreale Bedstraw SDM 4 Geranium maculatum 3 Humulus sp. common hop 4 Hydrophyllum virginianum NWM 2 Impatiens capensis Juncus sp. 4 Laportia canadensis 2 Lactuca sp. lettuce PWM 8 PI Lathyrus venosus prairie pea OB 5 PN-ON round-headed bushclover PM 6 PI rough blazing star 6 Lilium superbum Turks cap lily OB 10 PI-OSM horary puccon SB 10 PN Lithospermum caroliniense hairy puccoon Minuartia dawsonensis CG 3 PN Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot 6 Osmorhiza claytonii 0 Oxalis stricta 6 Packera plattensis Prairie ragwort 4 Panicum scribnareanum SD 1 Parthenocissus inserta woodbine A Pastinaca sativa Parsnip 8 Pediomelum esculentum prairie turnip 7 Downy phlox PD 3 PM Physalis heterophylla clammy ground cherry PN- OB 4 OSM Physalis virginiana 6 Physocarpus opulifolius Poa compressa Canada bluegrass 6 Polemonium reptans Jacobs Ladder 8 Polygala senega Seneca Snakeroot 4 Polygonatum biflorum Solomons seal Prunus species OO 5 Quercus macrocarpa burr oak Ranunculus PWM 4 PI Ratibida pinnata gre y-headed coneflower Rhamnus cathartica 2 Rhus glabra Ribes spp. PWM 4 PI Rudbeckia hirta black -eyed Susan BG A Rumex acetosella 3 Sanicula gregaria Black snakeroot 10 Sanicula trifoliata clustered black snakeroot 4 Little Bluestem grass CG 4 Scrophularia lanceolata early figwort 4 Scrophularia marilandica late figwort

7 Scutellaria Skull cap W A Silene vulgaris 4 Silphium perfoliatum cup PWM 7 PM Sisyrinchium campestre blue-eyed grass 5 Smilacina racemosa False solomon seal 5 Smilacina stellata Starry solomon seal 5 Smilax AT 1 Solidago canadensis Canada goldenrod PD 4 PI Solidago nemoralis gray goldenrod PWM 5 PM Solidago rigida stiff goldenrod 5 Solidago ulmnifolia elm-leaved goldenrod PDM 5 PM Indian grass PDM 9 PI Stipa spartea needlegrass Taraxacum officinale 7 Thalictrum dioicum early meadow rue 7 Thalictrum thalictroids rue anemone 7 PN Tradescantia bracteata spiderwort 5 Triosteum perfoliatum Horse Gentian Ulmus sp. 7 Uvularia grandiflora large flowered bellwort 6 Uvularia sessilifolia sessile bellwort Verbascum thapsus PD 3 PM Verbena stricta hoary vervain PWM 6 PI Veronicastrum virginicum Vicia sp. vetch 7 PM 9 PM prairie violet 5 Viola pubescens 3 Viola sororia Viola riparia SDM 3 Xanthophylum americanum PW 7 PI Zizia aurea SD 5 Corylus americana American hazelnut PDM 2 PM Rhus glabra smooth sumac SW 2 Rhus radicans poison ivy 4 Rosa sp. rose 1 Rubus flagellaris northern dewberry 1 Salix sp. willow SDM 3 Zanthoxylum americanum common prickly ash CG 2 Juniperus virginiana eastern red cedar BF 1 Populus tremuloides quaking aspen

586 total 120 Count 4.8833 Average coeffecint 53.494 Floristic Index