Habitat Management Report
WMA: | Prairie Creek WMA |
Species: | The WMA is managed to provide habitat for forest song birds, forest game birds, small mammals, furbearers, reptiles, amphibians, deciduous forest species, hardwood forest species, grassland species, wetland species, raptors, song birds, and cavity nesting birds. |
Objectives
Hydrology of drained or altered wetlands will be restored.
Native prairie species will be maintained or enhanced. Existing upland grass will be converted to or managed for species with higher value to wildlife.
Forested portions of the unit will be managed to provide habitat for forest-dependent wildlife by maintaining a diverse mosaic of forest types and ages. Oak forest stands will be maintained or enhanced. A portion of the unit will be managed to maintain and expand savannah conditions with lower density oak, aspen and other species maintained and/or regenerated as necessary to provide mast and habitat for savannah associated species.
Wetlands will be managed to maintain or enhance wet meadow and sedge vegetation associated with seeps and riparian areas.
Strategies
Prescribed burning will be utilized to rejuvenate, maintain, or enhance wetland vegetation. Wetlands will be monitored for invasive species and control measures implemented as appropriate.
This WMA will be monitored for invasive species and control measures implemented as appropriate. Herbicide will be applied to remove undesirable tree, brush, and herbaceous species in order to maintain or improve habitat structure and diversity.
Biomass will be harvested.
Agricultural fields will be cropped in order to control weeds and provide wildlife food. Some agricultural fields may be converted to herbaceous or woody cover depending on habitat goals.
Forest prescribed burning will be used to promote natural vegetation, regeneration, and to maintain or improve habitat diversity and structure.
Non-native grasslands and fields will be converted to native grass establishments. Existing poor quality or non-native grass types will be converted to species with more habitat value to wildlife through prescribed burning and/or planting or seeding of desired species. Native Prairie species will be seeded or planted. Existing native prairie will be maintained. Grasslands will be burned in order to maintain the grassland component and provide nesting habitat.
Planting and seeding will be conducted to change the stand composition and/or structure and establish new woody and herbaceous cover in areas targeted for conversion (exotic grass, cropland areas).
Selective harvest will be conducted to remove tree and brush species in order to maintain or improve habitat structure and diversity. Undesirable timber will be cut to diversify forest stand structure and composition.
Ditch plugs, breaking tiles, installing water control structures, or other acceptable methods will be used to restore wetlands and streams altered by drainage.
Grasslands will be burned in order to maintain the grassland component and provide nesting habitat.