Rothsay WMA Nelson Tract

The Rothsay WMA Nelson tract has a large area that has been invaded long ago with invasive tree growth. The removal of invasive trees from prairie grassland/wetland habitats restores the native look to the landscape. The targeted Nelson tract was devoid of trees in its native pristine condition. Grasslands that breed migratory birds are the targeted beneficiaries of the restoration project. The program, however, positively impacts all native prairie life utilizing the Prairie Pothole Region Prairie. This area has experienced extensive wetland drainage and conversion of native grasslands to cropland. The remnant parcels of native prairie and other tame grasslands in this area on public and private land have been invaded by smooth bromegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and woody species such as the Russian olive and Siberian elm and are in need of intensive management. Restoration of these habitats will benefit several species of concern as well as a myriad of water birds and other grassland nesting birds. This program promotes a better prairie. Protected public prairie habitat should accurately represent the look of the habitat being protected. Most landscapes go unmanaged and very little represents the native environment. The habitat restoration program brings an elevated alertness to the prairie's actual condition and has a very visually climactic before and after look. The change is almost immediate as species once forced away return to the restored treeless prairie. The pre-project description is that the targeted habitats are completely infested with invasive non-native woody cover. Rendering the habitat useless for propagation of grassland dependent wildlife. The uplands are lacking any plant diversity. 100 acres of upland will get inter-seeded with a very diverse grass/forbs seed mix.