Oak Savanna Restoration
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Project Schedule Restoring Oak Savanna 2020: Initial removal of trees and shrubs Oak savannas exist at the border of two of Minnesota’s major biomes – prairie Today, most of Minnesota’s historical oak savanna has been lost due to 2021: Site preparation (fire, and deciduous forests. Neither fully forest nor fully grassland, these habitats intensive or suppressed grazing, fire suppression, and introduction of other herbicide, plowing/disking) nurture many of the same flowers and grasses that grow in the prairie but also plant species. Currently, Washington County is restoring 231 acres of prairie 2021: Seeding feature sprawling bur oaks that create a partial forest canopy. and oak savanna here in Lake Elmo Park Reserve by restoring species to the 2022: Establishment mowing landscape to improve wildlife and pollinator habitat. To restore Oak savanna, Historically, oak savanna habitat existed in locations where the Dakota Native and haying common buckthorn, honeysuckle, amur maple and box elder are being removed American people lived. The Dakota people intentionally set fires to improve the 2022-2023: Spot treatment of to encourage future oak regeneration and a dense groundcover. Funding for habitat for both wild game and foraging around. This disturbance attracted herds noxious weeds this project was provided from the Outdoor Heritage Fund as appropriated of bison which grazed on the new prairie grasses. In areas where fire and grazing by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by the Lessard-Sams Future: Use of conservation based merge, Bur Oaks established due to their thick bark and ability to withstand fire. Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) to restore, protect, and enhance Minnesota’s grazing and haying and controlled Oak savanna is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, turkeys, redheaded burns wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. woodpeckers, and the federally endangered Rusty Patched bumblebee. *For more information, contact the park office at 651-430-8370 The red-headed woodpecker is an oak-savanna specialist, nesting in cavities of mature oak trees and caching acorns for food. Habitat loss across the state accounts for nearly an 80 percent decline in population since 2004, according to a 2014 Audubon Minnesota report. Degraded condition Thinning & buckthorn removal Restored oak savanna Oak Savanna Ecosystem The oak savanna ecosystem is largely dependent on landscape disturbances such as fire and grazing. Fire was intentionally set to clear shrubs and dead vegetation, which would attract wild game and improve foraging areas. Bison were also attracted to these areas and would prevent woody trees and shrubs from establishing. Prescribed burn Prescribed grazing Seeding Conservation grazing.