Project Description:  This project was created to restore and maintain high quality natural communities contained within twenty-four State Natural Areas.  The SNA’s along the Mississippi and Chippewa Rivers protect some of the best remaining examples of natural communities in Wisconsin.  Work is needed to maintain and enhance these communities and maintain habitat for up to sixty species of greatest conservation need.  Work will be completed by the SNA crew based out of La Crosse.

Proposed Project:  This project includes many different forms of management techniques.  Activities will include brushing and thinning of woody species in both savannas and prairies, removal of invasive exotic species, and prescribed burning to rejuvenate the prairie and savanna natural communities.  An All-Season Vehicle will be used to mow brush on the flatter areas of these sites.  These activities would provide better security for the species of greatest conservation need that are found in these natural communities.  The SNA’s where this work will occur are Tiffany Bottoms, Lower Chippewa, Trempealeau River Meadow, Rush Creek, Sugar Creek Bluffs, Limery Ridge, Five-Mile Bluff, Maiden Rock, Nine-Mile Island, Otter Creek Barrens, Carryville Savanna, Red Cedar Savanna, Coon Fork Barrens, Trenton Bluff Prairie, Morgan Coulee, Brady’s Bluff Prairie, Trempealeau Mountain, Great River Trail Prairie, Battle Bluff Prairie, Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Midway Prairie, La Crosse River Trail Prairie, and the Satin Grass Prairie.  In all, work will be completed on around 682 acres of land.  

Progress:  To date, approximately 60% of the proposed work has been completed by the SNA crew.  The project received approximately 60% of the proposed funding, so the crew has already fulfilled the requirements of the grant.  More work is anticipated over the next few months.  Some highlights of the project include the funding of around 200 acres of prescribed burning.  Also, invasive species management was conducted on almost 100 acres of land.